Countdown to Summer 2006
The long weekend in May is traditionally the unofficial start to summer. The time when we can get out into the garden and nurture relationships with plants we have not seen for months, when lazy days on the golf course and backyard bonfires, become more than just a distant dream. Time to get reacquainted with neighbors who have been hibernating all winter.
For the busy Shannon household our start to summer is a little different. We are still in the final countdown to the end of school year activities - ballet performances, the New Brunswick music festival, piano recitals and now two weeks of daily tennis lessons. How can you enjoy the lazy days of summer when you are on a schedule like this? After the onslaught of spring activities are over we move right into our summer schedule. We spent last Monday planning our next three months. Summer is a great time and we don’t want to miss out on all the fun things that we can do and see because we didn’t get organized and plan ahead of time.
As busy as our children are we have a schedule and a plan so the events in our day to day life are manageable. I have been speaking a lot lately about the management of events. As we all know time doesn’t stop or slow down, although we would like it to. What we have to get our head around is "managing events". The following information is geared to the families with children but I am sure you can use the information to equally fit a single or retired lifestyle. I know some retirees are busier now with volunteering than they ever were during their career years.
- Start with the big picture. Get your June - September calendar and begin to look at the time available for you to enjoy summer 2006.
- Next you need to "time block". What weeks have you booked for vacations? What weeks are the children booked for summer camps? Oops, have I opened a can of worms. If you haven’t booked the summer camps yet you need to do this sooner rather than later. The good camps book up early and you don’t want to be looking at the last minute for alternatives.
- Have a family meeting. Ask yourself and your loved ones some important questions. What do you want to do this summer? What if Sara wants to play soccer and Brad wants to play baseball, but they both practice on Tuesday night---at different ends of town. Do you want to be running all over town all summer? Are there friends you can car pool with?
- What about summer vacation? Was there something that you wanted to do last year and just didn’t get around to it? Plan as a family, do some research online and make this a real family event from start to finish.
- What about the time that you actually have to work. Except for a lucky few, summer isn’t all about vacations. Where will the children be going now that they don’t have school? If you don’t normally need after school care this could be a new challenge.
- Have you thought about a budget? Summer can be a very costly time of year yet with proper planning you will be able to manage your money as well as the expectations. Take into account the cost of entertaining, special gatherings, summer camps and the overall cost of the vacation.
- Lastly, remember that Organizing Today Saves Time Tomorrow, it could also save you some money and add peace of mind this summer.
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