Being a working parent is a struggle of its own. You’re always balancing work, playing time with the kids, cooking, cleaning, shopping, your relationship with your spouse, and, maybe, some “you time.” However, when summer comes around, that hustle can mix with guilt. The kids are out of school and just want to have fun, but you still have to go to work.
So what do you do? How can you make the most out of summer for your kids while not feeling guilty that you’re away?
1. Save for Summer Camps
These savings can come in the form of a small side job you or your husband has, or it can go in now the form of a little less eating out and a bit more couponing. Either
The American Camp Association has a great search to help you find the right camp for your child in the right area. Find a camp that works for you here.
2. Hire a Temporary Nanny
Daycare and summer camps can be thousands and thousands of dollars. If that isn’t an option for you, think of getting a routine babysitter or even a nanny. Some of the best summer nanny hires are college kids you want to make some extra money, but
3. Don’t Forget to Include Yourself
Every week plan a fun adventure just for your little family. This could mean a pool day followed by smores in the backyard. This could mean a trip to the waterpark and then movie night at home. Whatever it is, plan a day during the weekend when your kids have your full attention, and you can make memories with them.
4. Get Specific with Your Calendar
Whether your family works best with a whiteboard, paper, or digital calendar, plan your summer plans ahead of time. This way, you aren’t rushing last minute to find open pools, play dates, or other activities for your kids to do. Not every day, or every week, needs to be jam-packed with activities. However, giving you and the kids something to look forward to and a plan will help make the summer more manageable and less stressful.
Also, you will know that you did everything that you can to create a great summer.
5. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Just like you do all year long, you need to prepare everything. On the other hand, summer is on another level.
For summer this means having a smooth system for lunch preparation, hanging swimsuits, keeping towels clean, keeping water bottles fresh, making sure the kids are prepped with all the summer essentials (i.e., sunscreen), and maybe making it a little extra special for them.
Since you can’t be there for everything in the summer, leave your kids little notes in the house or make them a special lunch. This way, they can feel your presence, even if you have to be stuck in the office.
Summer can be fun, but it can also be stressful. Amid everything that is going on, don’t forget to lean on friends and family to help carry some of the weight and take part in the fun. You may have to work this summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to be absent from your child and all that summer fun. Plan, save and get organized. You already know how to do all of this. You got this!