We all love our kids. In fact, they are the reason most of us decided to stay at home. But, for work at home moms, and dads, summer can become a very stressful time. With the kids out of school, and our jobs still demanding our time and energy, it can be a very trying time. Here are some suggestions to help you keep your sanity during the months of summer.

1. Make and Keep a Schedule -- As a former teacher I can assure you that the only way teachers keep a bit of their sanity is by keeping and maintaining daily routines and schedules. Take their cue! While initially kids tend to recent this type of structured approach, they will appreciate it in the long run. See, kids appreciate the comfort of knowing what will happen next. If they have a set routine that gives them a sense of security and they actually miss it when it is disturbed. Keeping to a schedule might prove a bit difficult at first, but I promise you, the end result will be well worth it.


2. Make Meals Ahead of Time -- It is a lot less stressful to spend a couple of hours one day fixing meals that can be reheated or used in several ways during the week, than to have to spend time every day thinking about what to cook, and actually fixing it. Prepare a roasted chicken, then use the leftovers for pasta or frittata later on in the week. Prep a lasagna and freeze it for a later date. You get the idea. Fix things that can be easily stored and that will not consume too much of your time later.


3. Schedule Some Outdoor Time -- You know you have to set aside quality time to spend with your kids. So, one of the easiest ways to ensure that you will be given time to complete your work is to begin the day with fun, TIRING activities that your kids will really enjoy. Take them to the park first thing in the morning. Plant some new trees or a new garden in your backyard. Go bike-riding on a trail. Do these activities early, before the sun becomes too fierce. Then, when you get home, the little ones will be ready for a nap, and the older ones will be ready for some sitting down and being quiet time. Now, you can get some work done!


4. Enlist the Help of Friends and Family -- Your kids are not the only ones on vacation, are they? So make arrangements with your neighbor or your sister. Offer to take their kids with you on your outing to the park on Thursday, if they will in turn take yours on their trip to the beach on Friday. That will guarantee both of you at least one day of total freedom. Also, don't hesitate to as the retired grandparents to take the kids for an afternoon. Maybe Aunt Mary took some vacation time. Ask her if she'd like to take the kids to the amusement park. You get the idea. It is not a crime to ask others to help you, and you are not the only one who ever felt they needed a time out from their kids!


5. Keep Things in Perspective -- Keep two very important things in mind: your kids will grow, and summer will not last forever. If you think back to when your kids were born, and how quickly they've grown, you'll understand the importance of cherishing every moment. Soon, they will be off living their own lives. So, enjoy their childhood moments. And, summer is only a few months. What if the business side gets abit sloppy? It will still be here tomorrow. Your kids, however, will only be this age once. Thank God for the overwhelming feeling of having young kids. Enjoy the blessing of being home with them. Most importantly, trust, that with a bit or organization and planning you will survive this summer, and be closer to your children at the end of it.

Bottom line: Summer is a time for building memories! Create memorable moments and enjoy every second of them! Love on your babies, and don't forget they ARE the reason you became part of the work at home moms crew!