With kids chomping at the bit to be out of school for the summer, moms everywhere are heading into summer schedules....or the lack thereof. I love being able to be more relaxed about the state of the house - you just HAVE to be or you'll drive yourself crazy - but I don't want things to get so out of hand that we are living in squallor for 10 weeks until the bell rings once again.
This is a great time to review and modify your housekeeping schedule, so that you can enjoy the fireflies, swimming and lemonade without feeling overwhelmed by laundry, cleaning and dishes. Here are a few of my housekeeping posts to help you find a little structure AND breathing room....so you can be THAT Mom that says "yes" to your kids' harebrained ideas (like pitching a tent in the living room) without coming unglued.
Simply take into account things like vacations, trips to the local waterpark, and family activities as you go through the posts. When you spend 4 hours a day at a pool keeping your kids from drowning, you'll want to come home to easy tasks and a stack of DVD's to watch :) - not a rigid list of things to maintain.
Step 3 A Real World Housekeeping Schedule
and this one for Moms just starting out:
Housekeeping Advice for New Moms
Today's Small Thing is to take a look at your calendar and summer activities, and plug in a bit of structure to your housekeeping responsibilities.
With more free time on their hands, the kids can handle a couple more chores to help out - and now is the time to establish a simple routine for them. Summer should be fun and relaxed - and the best way to accomplish that is to lighten up a little and change some of your expectations. Setting up a summer housekeeping schedule that gives you freedom to enjoy life is your first step in the right direction!
Song of the Day: Long Hot Summer, Keith Urban
