School’s out for summer…

June 15, 2010 by Karen Doll · Leave a Comment

It’s finally summer…school’s out, so why are we still stressed out?

Busy summer schedules filled with kids’ activities and more can really take a toll on us. So what can we do to organize our calendars and simplify our lives?

First and foremost: Don’t be afraid to say NO. Not every minute of the day needs to be occupied. Some simple tips for helping you manage your calendar and enjoy your summer:

Keep only one calendar and keep all appointments/activities on that calendar.
- you can opt for a paper calendar or an electronic version…though an electronic calendar allows you to sync the calendar for multiple users.
Look at your calendar often, especially at the beginning of the day and the end of the day.
- viewing the night before helps you to prep for the next day.
Get the kids involved in preparation.
- depending on their age, kids can make sure that their uniforms/equipment/etc are ready for the next day’s activities.
Designate a place for everything when you come into the house.
- this will help parents to track down items that need to be washed before the next game.
- it will also help avoid the “I can’t find my jersey/soccer cleats” cry of despair 10 minutes before game time.
Plan your meals accordingly.
- if the upcoming week is jam-packed, prep for easy meals (i.e. made ahead & frozen) to help avoid the last minute fast food run.
- have healthy, quick snacks available for kids as they go from activity to activity.
Schedule time for the family (or even alone time).
- often if it’s not on the calendar, it just doesn’t happen.