School's Out! Get Organized for Summer Fun
by Donna Ridgeway

Description: Tips for getting organized and getting your family on track for a great summer!

Ask any Mom; it doesn't matter if your children are seven or seventeen, when they are around all day schedules can go right out the window. That's why it's important to stay one step ahead and organize yourself and your time, so that you can stay on top of things and not become frustrated or overwhelmed.

Here are some time saving tips to help you enjoy your summer months.

End one day to start the next. As my children were growing up I always made it a point to see that the kitchen was cleaned and everything put away before I went to bed. It sounds so simple; but let it go, and the next morning doesn't begin very well. It is so much nicer to be greeted with a clean slate than facing yesterday's chores that didn't get done.

Choose tomorrow's outfit today. Know what the weather forecast is for tomorrow and what you are going to wear. Make sure those items are clean and ready to put on. If you're children are young, help or encourage them to select their clothing as well. This will save an amazing amount of time every morning.

Enlist your children's help in keeping your home picked up and clean. Make it a fun and joint effort with a payoff that is not monetary, but will entice them to participate. A fun challenge is better received than an order to do a chore. With everyone helping it gives all of the family more time for fun!

Schedule time for work and play. Most of us have a daily calendar but use it primarily for appointments and events. Schedule the things that need to be done, and schedule or block out time for fun stuff too. In either case, it doesn't have to be specifically identified, but then you will have those blocks of time to fill in as you desire each week.

Teach children how to make breakfast or lunch. Teaching kids to make their own food may seem difficult. Some parents may feel that they are shirking their responsibility by having children make a sandwich when they can do it for them. Remember that our job as parents is to raise our children to be self sufficient. Children that can take care of themselves have more confidence in their overall abilities. As a parent, you will have more time and energy available if you don't try to do everything!

Establish summer rules and expectations now. Have a family meeting.

How many times a week will there be play dates, sleepovers, friends invited for dinner, etc. Address the activities that apply in your household and are age appropriate for your children. Solicit their input and come to agreement. By setting summer rules early, everyone knows ahead of time what is negotiable and what is not, thus sparing potential conflicts or arguments.

Schedule time for yourself! Most of us find we are nicer people when we are not stretched to the max. Love your children every minute of the day, but take some time away from them too. They need the break as much as you do!

Use these tips as a guideline for finding what works for you and your family. Take them as they are, or modify them to suit your needs. In any case, I believe you will find that your days are less stressful and there is more time in your day.

Have a great and productive summer with your children!

Donna Ridgeway
Making Spaces, LLC
http://makespaceforlife.com

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