Wendy, I can guess that many parents are having the same heart palpitations thinking about the day their kids step off the bus for the last time until September. The fact that you are getting yourself mentally and physically prepared ahead of time is invaluable and very smart! Start with a calendar. Make sure all camp schedules, vacations, summer sports schedules and regular appointments are all accounted for so you have your basic planning timeline. Next, create checklists for each of the activities your kids will be required to prep for. For example, begin researching the camp requirements and inventory all of the items that you already own. Create a shopping list and schedule a date prior to departure to gather all of the remaining items to be packed. By planning ahead you won’t be scrambling at the last minute or buying duplicates. A similar strategy can be done for vacations as well. Attacking the areas around the house systematically to better prepare for summer activities. Here is a quick list of ideas that you might think about doing before the kids get home:
While this list doesn’t even come close to covering the majority of the tasks you probably feel you have ahead of you, hopefully it will inspire some ideas to make your life a little easier in a few weeks. The most important thing to remember is that there are not going to be that many more years that your life revolves around your kids’ schedule. Enjoy the moment, spend your time playing and goofing around with them. Participate in the fun and let go of the responsibilities that keep you all glued together during the school year. You deserve a summer vacation too! Kristin Mastromarino is a professional organizer. She is the owner of Livable Solutions Professional Organizing www.livablesolutions.com and The Organized Lifestyle online retail store www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com. You can e-mail her your questions at kristin@livablesolutions.com. |
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