As summer vacation approaches, I find myself in a delightful tug-of-war between the excitement of all the adventures ahead (berry picking! Road trips! Swimming!) and the reality of endless togetherness, which often leads to a bit of chaos. As a parent who works from home, I’m used to having those precious quiet hours during the day, so managing work with kids around can be quite the juggling act.
Sure, taking a break from early morning routines, lunch packing, and homework can seem appealing. Who doesn’t love lounging in pajamas and going with the flow? But let’s be real—too much of that can feel like indulging in junk food. It may be enjoyable in the moment, but if it becomes the norm, we all end up cranky and sluggish. My household thrives on a little bit of routine.
After navigating the balance of fun and structure over several summers, I can’t promise this one will be flawless—in fact, I anticipate it will be beautifully imperfect. However, I’m holding onto a few sanity-saving strategies from wise friends, as well as some trial and error of my own:
Dive in Fully or Not at All.
I stumbled upon a fantastic article by the insightful Jamie Lee, who alternates between giving her preteen and teen kids her undivided attention and then completely tuning out. There’s no checking emails during a card game or a leisurely stroll; neither do her kids interrupt her work hours for trivial matters. This approach allows her to be fully present for her kids and then switch gears to focus on her work, fostering their independence while ensuring they feel valued.
I’m not quite a pro at this yet, but I’m working on it. Even if I’m simply washing dishes or need 20 minutes for a shower, I remind myself and the kids that they can wait. “Just a moment, I’ll finish this up, and then I’m all yours!” They can handle it, and trust me, it’s a win for everyone involved.
Team Up with the Neighbors.
In today’s world, summer playdates often feel more organized than our carefree childhood summers spent wandering the neighborhood. With so many kids in camps or under watchful eyes, it’s not as easy to simply open the door and let them roam. My neighbors and I are banding together to change that. We’ve exchanged cell phone numbers and now text each other things like, “Kids are out front with the sprinkler, feel free to join!” or “Kicking my kid outside—anyone want to play?” It’s a win-win: the kids get more outdoor time, and we parents get to know each other better.
Establish a Flexible Framework.
A good friend of mine, who works full-time, has her kids create a summer wish list of activities with their sitter at the start of the season, mixing low-cost and free activities with some special outings. I do something similar, which helps manage expectations and injects a bit of structure into our timeline.
Having a loose daily plan can also work wonders. The dreaded “what should we do today” dilemma can quickly spiral into hours of indecision. Some weeks, we have a morning camp for all the kids. Other times, we enforce a “no screens until afternoon” rule, followed by swim time, and maybe a baseball game in the evening. Whatever your family opts for, knowing what lies ahead each day brings a sense of reassurance to everyone involved.
Embrace the Summer Vibe.
While a little structure is beneficial, let’s remember it’s called summer vacation for a reason! Things will feel different from the school year rush. Neither parents nor kids will accomplish as much “work,” so perhaps we can ease up on the math workbooks? We adults can also benefit from lightening our schedules, taking shorter hours, or—gasp—actually using that vacation time we’ve earned.
As I navigate the summer and try to keep my sanity intact with some routine, I must also focus on the magic of the season—the warmth, the evening thunderstorms, the long dusks filled with fireflies, and the carefree summer attire. Each summer with my kids brings me closer to the day they’ll have summer jobs and internships, and eventually, they might not come home at all.
When sibling squabbles and soggy towels scattered across the floor get overwhelming, it’s easy to forget: this is the perfect time for lazy walks in the woods and splashing in the creek. It’s a great moment to toss out the “shoulds” and enjoy ice cream for lunch. It’s the season for blowing bubbles and wearing swimsuits at the picnic table, lingering outside until the light fades.
This summer is here, and it’s ours to relish. September, along with all the future Septembers, will arrive soon enough.
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Summary:
As summer approaches, balancing fun with structure can be challenging for parents, especially those working from home. Embracing full attention for kids, collaborating with neighbors for playdates, and maintaining a loose daily schedule can help enhance summer enjoyment. It’s also important to embrace the laid-back summer vibe and create lasting memories, even amid the chaos.