As the end of school looms around the corner, many parents are beginning to panic. Summer brings special organizing challenges to family and work life. Parents miss the structure and adult supervision that school provides and must adapt their calendars and resources to prepare for a new schedule. 

In order to keep your sanity and weather the transition between the school year and the summer, you'll need to be purposeful about organizing your personal life. 

If families neglect to plan ahead for summer break, the household order and processes begin to spin out of control. With a little time management, you can have a fulfilling and organized summer! 

Planning
Starting now, set aside some time to create a plan for your summer. Use that time to sign up for any desired activities, consult caregivers, and arrange details. Design a plan that takes into account the big picture, like family trips or scheduled camps, and a weekly plan that keeps each person's needs in mind.  

Scheduling
In the absence of a school schedule, begin implementing a regular schedule at home for your children. Set a reasonable time by which they should be out of bed in the morning and a regular bedtime. Regulating your children's sleep will bring more harmony to your household! 

Balance
Your children's weekly schedule can include time for fun activities with peers and family, helping with household chores, and even work if they are old enough. This is a great time to work on some age-appropriate life skills, like potty training, organizing their rooms, laundry, cooking, or yard maintenance. 

Don't forget to include intellectual stimulation, like implementing a reading plan or family field trips, along with physical stimulation, like a summer soccer league or camps. 

Resist over-extending yourself. Many parents feel they have to entertain and program their children, especially during the summer. Remember, too, that it's healthy for kids to have an imagination, play in the yard, build forts, and occupy themselves. 

Calendar
Add each child's schedule to a family calendar. Whether you use an electronic or paper calendar, assign a color to each person to keep track of their activities. This way, you can see where one person might be out of balance or where you have conflicting events. Post the calendar in the kitchen for easy reference. 

Add to each activity the following information: location of activity, person responsible for transportation, and contact information.  

Getting Help
It is not a sign of weakness to seek help during times of need; it indicates that you are savvy enough to realize that you can't do it all, and you can't do it alone. Summer is a great time to enlist the help of grandparents, other family, friends, neighbors, carpools, and even professionals to meet the increased demands on your time. Hiring a professional, like a nanny, a house cleaner, a gardener, or a professional organizer can help you maximize your time and navigate your summer successfully.  

Wishing you a summer filled with joy,
Vicki Norris