The kids are going back to school and now the juggling act begins. I know as a single mother making sure Hailey was able to get to all the places she needed to go while still working full time was a challenge. I have no idea how single mothers with multiple children manage to do it, but not only do they do it, they make it look easy.
Once school starts so do the activities, sports, dance, after school activities, going to a friend’s house to do a project, it seems that every day there is somewhere new they need to go. Add to that list doctors, dentists and orthodontist appointments and it’s a wonder single parents are able to work at all.
Then there is the challenge of days off school and here in Utah the kids have short day, so we need to arrange rides and care for those days as well as all the other things that need to be done.
The only way I was able to manage everything was with a huge calendar and different colored markers. First I used red for early days and days off, so I would know at a glance, what days I needed additional care for Hailey. Then I used a blue marker for doctor appointments for both of us. Finally we each had our own color marker, pink for Hailey, purple for me. I sat down with Hailey and explained the logistics of trying to get her where she wanted to go in addition to where she needed to go.
I think one activity per day, per child is plenty, you may feel differently but for me, one was enough. Everyone manages this differently, I know some Mom’s who only let their children participate in activities on the same day so there is only one day a week she is shuttling children and feeding them in the car. Other Mom’s have the kids do their activities on different nights then it is not so hectic just for one day. You have to decide what works for you.
The most important word in your vocabulary should be carpool. Chances are there is someone near you who is going where your child needs to go, talk to that Mom, take turns or alternate pick up and drop off. Whatever makes the soccer mom run a little more manageable. Finally, don’t over schedule your kids, because really, you are over scheduling yourself and who needs that?