Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Summer Vacation: T Minus Three Days and Counting...

I am riding out the final stretch before summer vacation kicks in. I’ve got plenty to do to prepare for the big change in my working schedule for the next two weeks until summer camp (day camp) rolls around to save the day. The Boy Scouts (and quite possibly the Girl Scouts) are known for their saying “always be prepared.” Well, last year I was anything but and my writing income dropped considerably as a result. Writing, marketing and keeping four kids under the age of nine entertained was a struggle. Big lesson learned.

This summer presents its own unique challenges which include traveling hither and thither periodically, but I’m feeling more confident this year since I'm armed with a plan. How are you planning to balance business and kids this summer?

8 comments:

Michele said...

I am so very interested as to how often yours are going to summer camp this year. I have four under the age of eleven and we're two days into Summer break and I'm already putting all of my energy into breaking up fights. I have a basic plan but can't seem to get it into motion. This is my first summer working from home so any advice would be great.

Kimberly Ben said...

Ah yes, Michele, the fights. Mine fight as soon as they get in the car when I pick them up from school. They fight over snacks when they get home. They fight over who does which chores in the evening. They fight on the weekends just as soon as everyone gets up.

I'm an only child, so this is completely foreign to me (so is my husband). The very thought of refereeing fights for two months straight is just too exhausting.

The camp I'll be placing them in is an all day camp. My four year old is too young to go, but I have a girlfriend who runs an in-home daycare so that will work for him.

Try to stick to your plans but know that it's very much trial by error. Hang in there and I'm wishing you well.

Lori said...

Ironically, I do have the kid issue this year. These two are over 21 and both are home. You wouldn't think it would be an interruption, would you? HA! I say HA!

Anyway, I plan to take the laptop and get the hell out of Dodge. Turn off the cell, disappear into an air-conditioned safe place, and work remotely.

As you travel to hither and thither, are you writing travel articles to compensate? I'd love to get into that. No one seems to buy what I want to sell travel-wise. Grrrr...

Kimberly Ben said...

Oh, Lori, I envy you being able to escape for a few hours a day! But summer camp will be my escape. ;)

You know, I've never really thought about travel writing. I'm not going anywhere all that exotic. I don't know much about the travel writing niche, but it's certainly an interesting consideration.

Tammi Kibler said...

My youngest graduates high school this year. Yay!

Oh goodness, the fighting. I took two of my sons out to dinner the other night and the bickering and jockeying for position left me wondering why I bother bringing them at all.

They will fight about things they agree on just to be fighting. (I like this. Well, I like it more. Yeah but I liked it first.)

I can't wait until September. One is boarding at college. One has already moved out. That will leave just one at home.

Fortunately, they all respect my work space and time. I could not have managed working at home with three boys under the age of fifteen.

Kimberly Ben said...

Well, Tammi, it certainly doesn't help that my workspace is out in the open - I've claimed an area in the dining room so that I can keep a close eye on everyone. ;)

Michele said...

Kimberly, it's so funny that you say that because I am parked in a corner of my dining room also.

Kimberly Ben said...

Someday I'll make into a room where I can close the door and REALLY concentrate. But according to Lori's post, that may just be a pipe dream.

 
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