Work at Home During Summer Break

Summer is creeping up! The kids are getting antsy, and starting to get bored and restless at school. As the weather warms up, they are spending their off-school time outside – rollerblading, playing road hockey, bike riding, throwing around the baseball. I’ll call them in for dinner, and they’ll be back outside again.

This is also the time of year when I start to panic. How will I be able to work at home with the kids during summer break?

As a work-at-home mom, I don’t have the boys in daycare. Why add the expense if I’m already home? Working at home offers me the flexibility to work throughout the day and into the evening as well.

But summer break is a whole other beast. My boys are much older now – 9 and 11 – so they can play independently without my constant supervision. The issue is, they fight. A lot.

The two of them bicker like the Odd Couple, and when tension rises, bad words will be exchanged, and finally, wrestling moves will inevitably occur. I’m constantly refereering the two of them in the ring, any time anywhere. It could be at home, outside or even in the middle of the grocery store.

The panic sets in when I realize that there is no possible way that the two of them will get along all summer long. I need to separate them for part of the days… but I still need to work! How can I work at home with kids during summer break?

What are some options?

How to Work at Home with Kids During Summer Break

Trade Time

If you have friends or neighbours who are also in the same predicament, trade watching a few times a week. Each of you will then have dedicated time to focus on work.

Play dates

I don’t know about your kids, but mine don’t argue or fight when they have company. Often having three or four kids around is more peaceful than having just my two! Plan workdays while the kids have friends over.

Schedule Wisely

Set up a work schedule, so that the kids know which hours/days are play time and which days are dedicated to work. My goal is to have three mornings a week dedicated to work so that our afternoons are free. I bought us season passes to Canada’s Wonderland so we can take off and go for a few hours whenever we feel like it.

Relatives

Does grandma want to watch the kids for a week? Summer is a great time for kids to spend time with their relatives and grandparents at their home or cottage.

Hire a Teen

Have a teen come watch the kids while you work. Since teens are closer in age to the kids, they usually have a blast playing, and you can have some dedicated work time. I’ve done this before a few summers ago. The sitter would come in the afternoon, and take the kids to the park for a few hours while I could dedicate time to work.

Summer Camps

I can’t justify full day camps if I’m home. So set up various summer programs. Spread the sessions throughout the summer. Look for half-day activities such as swim lessons, tennis lessons or day camps. I’ve set up a hockey clinic for one week, and a basketball camp for another week – mornings only.

But if you’ve waited too long – like me – some of the programs you want to register for are already booked. Some find the registration process for Parks & Recreation very stressful, like Rebecca over at Playground Confidential. Programs fill as quickly as you are able to access the website to register.

For a minimal fee, my kids could take language lessons that the school board offers for the month of July. I’ve done this for two summers, however, they didn’t retain a lick of Italian! Only the bad words, and those were taught by my lovely husband.

In our town, there are only a few half-day camp options, like basketball or tennis. Check with your town leisure guides for options. You’re looking at about $150 to $175 for a half day camp per week. With two or more kids, the cost can quickly add up.

I do know one thing – kids need some down time in the summer, so they can just hang out and play outside. Go to the park. Ride their bikes. Sit around and eat popsicles, and have water gun fights with their friends. Schedules are lovely, but it’s also welcoming to not be on a strict schedule, and be spontaneous.