My summer schedule is actually working for me! Usually I get totally overwhelmed and exhausted but I came up with a structure that seems to be giving my kids what they need (active time, outside time, quiet time, friend time, etc.) and what I need (time for my job and to take care of my other responsibilities) without making me crazy!
I thought I'd share in case it helps anyone. If somebody else has something that is working for them, please share here too!
So, I have two teenagers. They can attend any of these activities but they actually have a fair amount of camps/week long activities that are occurring this summer which I feel like is the absolute best thing they could be doing! DS1 is attending a college aged camp for our church that is happening at a local college campus and a week long outdoor activity with some friends in the Western Sierras also with DS2. DS2 is attending scout camp as well as "trek" which is a activity where youth in our area do a pioneer reenactment (also a church thing). We're doing two vacations this year. One rescheduled as we were supposed to go to Yellowstone and then our yearly trip to Mammoth Lakes.
So my first key here is CAMPS. I know that isn't earthshattering but having my teens productively engaged is helping the peace of our family a lot!
Then for my little kids, I work 20 hours a week but only have 5 hours where they go over to their grandparents house. I've worked it out as follows:
I work one hour every morning from 6 to 7 am M-F. Then I work 3 days a week M, W, F, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Each morning we engage in a small (or bigger) activity.
M--Errands (sounds weird but my kids are out of practice being on errands since the pandemic and while they don't love doing them I think it is actually good for their social skills. I MAKE them come but they seem to actually like the variety!)
T--Excursion Day. Since I don't work in the afternoon I can be gone longer if need be..
W--Wednesday Friends' Day. Invite someone over or meet someone at a park.
Th--Beach Day. Also can be a longer day.
F--Library Day.
They go to their grandparents on T, and F. That means that T I can actually get real errands done and not worry about work!
For my work days, here's my structure:
12:00 Noon Lunch and read aloud
1:00 Quiet Time
2:30 Quiet Time snack and free time
4:30 Chores. I make them clean a zone and their room every single day.
5:00 Shows. Electronics in the way of watching videos or TV is allowed from 5 to 6.
While there are 2.5 hours in there without supervision, usually if we've properly gone out for the morning/and separated for quiet time, kids will play somewhat nicely during those hours. On Tuesdays and Fridays I drop the kids off at their grandparents from 2:30 to 5:00. So we all get a little quiet.
I'm surprised that working in the afternoon is working for me. I'm 100% a morning person! My day starts before 5:00 so I'm kinda toasted after about 3pm. However, my job is easier than wrangling my kids! One summer I tried working until noon each day and THEN going out and I hated it. I was toast at noon and had no desire to leave the house. So this rhythm works best for me.
What are you doing that works?