We look forward to summer all year, and then it comes, with its slew of fun things to do to entertain ourselves. And most importantly for working moms, to entertain the kids…All of a sudden, all this fun has to be combined with being stuck in a cubicle working full-time, while trying not to stress about keeping the kids busy and happy over the summer break.
Let’s keep it real…When kids are in school, we worry less about keeping them busy and entertained. Over the summer break (and any other school break really), getting appropriate childcare becomes more of a headache, as we try and plan our entire kids’ lives for three months. So how do we entertain the kids when we’re working full-time? How do we find time to plan kids’ activities in between the daily to-do’s and fun-packed week-ends? And in the midst of all this entertainment, how do we manage to keep our sanity?
Find the Childcare Option That Works Best for You
When it comes to summer childcare options, while you have options, you’ve got to pick what works best for you. That fancy camp that requires you to drop off at odd hours, and leaves you after mid-day? It may sound appealing, but may just end up stressing you out more than necessary.
Whether it’s a camp, specialized classes, or a more family-based childcare option, pick something that works around your own schedule. You may have to be a little more flexible than usual, but don’t put yourself in a situation where you just drive yourself insane.
Work From Home on Some Days (or Ask to Modify Your Schedule)
Aside from keeping your motivation up during the summer months, worrying about your kids while in your cubicle on an 80 degree day isn’t exactly the definition of summer fun! Break up the monotony of summer days, along with your childcare worries, by asking to work from home on some days. Why not even request a modified schedule in the summer? A girlfriend of mine asked to work 40 hours in 4 days, so she could have every Friday off to spend with her kids during the summer.
Besides, if you can argue that it’ll actually help you be more productive (and maybe a tad nicer), your request may end up going over pretty well…
Budget (And Use) Your Vacation!
Don’t be like the 41% of Americans who didn’t use their vacation n 2015. Summer’s the perfect time to use, and leverage, your vacation time. It wasn’t until I became a working mom that I understood how important it is to budget vacation time. Plan your time off earlier in the year, to ensure your ave as much time as possible for summer vacation.
Let the Kids be Bored!
In our modern obsession with “busyness’, we tend to overbook our kids, especially in the summer. We take them from camp to music lesson, then to swimming and through painful playdates. Yet psychologists recommend we should let kids be bored in the summer, so they can discover what truly interests them.
So instead of overbooking their schedule (and yours), let them flow freely for a bit, and give yourself a break in the meantime.
How do you keep kids entertained in the summer when you’re working full-time?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
