School's Out For Summer {Random Ramblings}

Last Thursday was the last day of school. Summer break fills me with both excitement and dread. As a work-at-home parent, I have a tendency to become anxiety-ridden when I think about how I will juggle my work schedule with the kids summer fun and activities.

I've written before about my weakness and inability to "no" to my children. And during the summer, it's even more difficult as I know their free time is limited to just two months.

Last summer was my first summer working from home, and honestly, I felt like an "all over the place" mess. I had no real work schedule in place. I ended up winging it most of the time. And I never felt as though I had a firm grasp on my personal or professional lives.

This summer, I vowed that things would be different. I wanted to create a flexible schedule where I could please my clients, my children, and hey, just maybe myself too. Wouldn't that be grand?

My plan is to get up somewhat early and get right to work. If I am feeling really motivated, I'll hit the gym in the wee hours of the morning. After the gym, I'll spend a few hours working and getting posts and client obligations out of the way so that I can enjoy the afternoons and evenings with my girls and husband. I am most productive during the early morning and late evening hours, so I thought I'd reserve that time for working and for household chores such as laundry, cleaning, etc. And when necessary, I will do work in the evenings, but I'd like to avoid that if possible.

We have two whole weeks free until the kids start their various camps. Emma will attend a creative dramatics camp on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30, so I will most likely switch my schedule around on those day to have my mornings free but work in the afternoon. Harper will be attending a tennis camp and will have lessons at our gym as well.

Otherwise, I've encouraged the girls not to become over-scheduled. The pool and the beach have a very strong calling during the summer months, and it's often hard to tear ourselves away to attend activities. Plus, they've been enjoying time with friends and sleepovers. I'm confident that the activities that they've chosen are just enough to satisfy them without making them feel tied down and that they are missing out on their summer vacation.

With that said, commence summer!