For a busy single parent, summer time can be chaotic. With the kids out of school and vacations and events, there is often much more to do than we can reasonably manage. Although summer time may be known for its freewheeling reputation, for a single parent, having a schedule and sticking to a plan for the days of the summer can be the best approach.
Of course, we need flexibility—and we need down time and unscheduled leisure too, but as a single parent, we also need enough structure to make sure that the kids are cared for and entertained, work gets done, and other summer details get tended to. This means making a plan and making an effort to stick to it.
To hear me write and talk about organization, you may think I am a Martha Stewart Wannabe with a calendar and list for everything. I’m not. I don’t even wear a watch unless I’m traveling! However, I do keep a general schedule and utilize some basic scheduling and organizational tactics to keep my single parent family afloat. I’ve learned from experience that summer needs to have structure and scheduling or everything falls apart (and folks get mighty grumpy in addition to getting into trouble)!
Instead of waking up every day and wondering what everyone will do and what needs to be accomplished—make a plan for the next three months or so. It can be a loose plan, and we should definitely include the children in the planning, but we do need to make sure the children have places to go and we allow for sports, activities, visits, vacations, work and all those other daily details. Sticking to a schedule can provide structure and peace of mind, AND make sure that everyone gets the most out of summer “vacation.”
See Also: Summer and the Single Parent
Single Parents, Summer and Community