This is how it (used) to go in my house on Fridays at 3pm …
Older child: “Mom , can you drive me over to Julie’s house?”
I say, “Why?”
“I’m sleeping over, remember?”
No, I say to myself
Younger child: “Mom, you promised we’d go see that new movie. Can Zoe come? I’ll call her now.”
What? Again to myself – as really, who is listening?
This carries on throughout the weekend. But lets not forget the addition of soccer games, horse riding, piano or dance recitals and then of course, a trip to the grocery store because with everyone home, the fridge empties quite fast! And then at last Monday arrives and I get back to work, in my office where it is quiet and peaceful.
Ahhhhh…….
I soon realized this wasn’t working too well for me, I needed to strategize a change or shift in our pattern. A plan of action was in order! This is what I did:
1. I bought a BIG calendar and put it in the kitchen – everyone must write down their weekend plans by 6pm on Thursday
2. I went grocery shopping Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. I need to be prepared for all the hungry kids who come through my door.
3. I planned some escape time for myself. This could be a hike with the husband or friend or even an early Sunday morning trip to the coffee shop.
4. Sunday afternoon became family time – no matter what! It could mean a hike, or cooking dinner together, or watching a movie.
5. At dinner, we talked and about the highs and lows of the weekend and what we may like to do the following weekend.
I should chime in here and say that I am a big softie, so these are usually just guidelines. I am open to being spontaneous either on my part or the kids’. And though I definitely do not mention that to them, who I am to fool? They probably already know!
If you have any tips on surviving the hectic crazy kid driven weekends, please let us know!
Be well!
Dr. Heather,
Thank you for these great tips! I am all about getting some time to myself. One reason I like to grocery shop on the weekends – can leave the kids home with dad that they don’t get as much time with. If I do take them with me I normally drop them off at the in-store care center. Something calming about being able to slowly walk through the isles. And we all need a moment or two of CALM 🙂
Alaina
That is SO my house on Friday afternoon! My tween daughter’s social calendar and my son’s sports calendar – AAAAAA Thanks for the great tips and encouragement!
I will sometimes get up super early on Sat.am, and grab a coffee then tackle the grocery store. But yes, without the kids is like an escape! I feel like it happened overnight – the kids social calendar … it’s so crazy but the BIG family calendar really helps.
My kids are 18 and 16 now so they have there own cars and help out with the food shopping and the bills.
The idea of the huge calendar sounds great as I work from home online and have to keep business projects organized my question is when I write in personal time on the calendar how to stick with it Dr. Heather when clients call and skype me on the weekend needing this or that done Immediately. How do I place limits without losing clients?
Any suggestions for a at home father and a I want to escape with kids to discovery zone.
Hi Monty … It is truly hard finding that balance when being an entrepreneur. I had a patient call me on Saturday and since it was not urgent, I made the decision to wait and call her back Monday morning. I truly believe to be the best at what we do, we need to give ourselves breaks – for example; no computer time on Saturday or one day during the week. I suggest leaving a friendly voice mail on your email, skype and phone informing your clients that you are taking the day off to regroup and recharge ( or something like that). I believe people will respect that and will actually want to work with you more!
Good luck!