According to our school calendar, we are solidly over the half-way mark for summer and this week, I started to feel the effects of trying to work from home while my kids are all basically home (with the exception of a few camps). I was mindful not to place too many expectations and items on my work To Do List this summer but even so, I have found that I am not getting even the amount done that I had hoped. This on top of the fact that our summer schedule has prevented me from making my weekly yoga class a priority, and before I knew it I felt the old, unwanted tension and stress creeping back in and my mood beginning to drop.
My children and I have had a very fun few weeks of summer – not doing anything extravagant, but we have played games, taken walks, read books, watched movies – all kinds of good, wholesome family fun. And I would not trade this precious time for anything. But even so, the reality is that I still need to get some of my own work done.
My husband and I had a long talk about this very issue a few days ago and to help me, he suggested he would take our daughter out on a special daddy/daughter morning this morning, allowing me to dive into work for a few hours while my boys were otherwise occupied with their activities. I was so grateful to him for suggesting this idea, because it gave them a chance to do some terrific bonding with each other, and it allowed me to check off some items on my work To Do List. I always say It Takes a Village to Raise a Child; there is truly no way that we can do this whole parenting thing on our own with no help from anyone. I am grateful to my awesome husband for helping me to see that I needed to be kind to myself and meet some of my own needs while I am busy meeting the needs of my children.
Just a few hours, and so very powerful as I feel lighter, less stressed and even more energized as a result. And in two days, I am going back to my weekly yoga class for the first time all summer:)
How are you managing the summer schedule with your children?
