Looming Summer Vacation Horrifies WAH Parents Everywhere

In a few short weeks, parents everywhere will be struck with terror. What two words can send parents into a hair pulling, anxiety laden state of horror? Summer Vacation.

I am already panicked about this and I still have a few weeks until it arrives. I already have the sitter set up for a few hours a week and we have swim lessons scheduled, but that's it. How am I going to get any work done?

Living in Arizona makes it 10 times worse too. In other states, you can tell kids to go outside and play. Here, you could tell them to go outside and play, but within 10 minutes they would melt and be bubbling on the sidewalk.

Therefore, I have come up with a preliminary plan for the summer.

Cooking - Two days a week
I keep reading that cooking with your kids is a good thing, so I think I will give this a try. My son has food allergies, so it's always more challenging. (Note to self - buy some cook books. I might be able to learn how to cook at the same time.)

Crafts - Two days a week
I know of plenty of places that sell easy craft kits and I know I can print ideas off the net, so setting this up will be easy. Since I am not the artistic one in the family, I always have to be real careful what I do, because when my husband gets home he loves to point out that my 4 year olds project is way better than mine. (Note to self - find some way to adapt the projects for the 2 year old so that she isn't A. running away from me with scissors or B. making glue a food group.)

Library day - one time a week
If I schedule this one religiously, it should help me to avoid turning my books in late, which I do on a regular basis. I am pretty sure my local library has me listed as a source of income in their budget.

My teaching skills are going to come in handy while creating my 3 month tactical plan. At least when it's over, I will be able to add 'survival of summer vacation' to my parenting resume. If nothing else, I will have much more writing material.