It’s summertime! I know some moms love this time of year because it’s a blank slate. I also know that this time of year can be a struggle for some working mamas (including me). I have learned over the years that proactively creating the experience you want from summer for you and your family can make a difference. Is it possible to get work done, avoid the feeling of overwhelm, and still have a fun summer? Yep! Let’s dive into how you can get the most out of your summer as a working mom!

Consider your summer vibe

What is the desired outcome of this season? Has it been a really busy school year, and you all need to relax this summer? Is this a time when kids want to uplevel skills? Do you and your family want to explore new experiences? Maybe you want tried and true experiences, so you focus on places and activities where you know exactly what you get.

Consider how you want to feel at the end of summer as kids go back to school. How do you want them to feel? Use that end-of-season feeling to help you reverse-engineer how you want summer to look and what activities to include. You don’t have to be 100% focused on only one vibe or feeling.

Be intentional with your summer experiences

You know the vibe you want to create now. Great! Now you can intentionally think about which experiences to include so you get the most out of your summer as a working mom.

Are you trying to wear out your kids with things that keep them active? (I can relate if you’re taking this approach? Are you visiting family? Are you trying to balance learning with fun? Is it all about fun camps?

If you’re traveling, do you want a big trip or several smaller ones during the summer months? (It’s a perfect moment for day trips nearby instead of doing a big trip to a far-off location as you ease back into travel.) Or maybe you want a mix of both. Be intentional with how you design the summer.

Our usual summer plans include a combination of a longer, big summer trip and summer camps at home. Time away is really important for us. We love to travel! It’s my favorite form of self-care! I fully embrace that time away from the day-to-day things. There is still time to plan a summer getaway, so don’t stress if you’re figuring it out.

Create a summer bucket list

Consider creating a summer bucket list. This can help with the reverse engineering that I mentioned. What is it that you want to accomplish this summer? Have your kids create their own bucket lists. This can help you figure out what the summer will include. Their list can be anything from pool time to learning to tie their shoes to mastering skateboarding or even improving those math skills. See how you can support their interests, but let them tell you what they want first!

Not into bucket lists? That’s fine. You still want to get your kids’ input and have them on board with whatever you’re planning for the summer. Think about word choice when you’re explaining things. You set the tone for how your family will likely feel. Be enthusiastic, empathetic, etc., depending on the situation. Get a read on how they’re feeling.

What will your time look like?

Realize that your summer daily routine might differ from how your day flows during the school year. I can’t say this enough times. Be as flexible as you can with how and when you work. You might need to wake up earlier or work more in the evening. Figure out how to give yourself some flexibility to make that happen. If you need some pointers on new productivity methods, I’ve got you covered.

In the summer, I try to slow down. I usually need about 20 hours per week to get my work done (vs my 25-30 during the school year). I still wake up early (6:30) to start my day before anyone else is up, even my husband. I walk our dog early, especially because it’s holy-cannoli hot in Texas in summer, and do some work undisturbed for a short while before I drop off kids at camp. (And I usually start with my most important tasks so that they’re done, even when, not if, things come up.

When my kids were younger, we chose half-day summer camps most weeks. That gives me another 4+ hours to work, and then I have time to play with my boys when they’re back home in the afternoon. I would then do a bit of work in the afternoons when they played with each other or had downtime.

A few summers in a row, my older son attended a tennis camp that was forever away, but it only lasted 9-11 am. Really, he couldn’t have handled more since it was an intense 2-hour workout in the heat. That said, instead of burning time going back and forth, I grabbed my laptop and worked at the camp. They had wifi and picnic tables. Was it hot? Yes! I planned my time ahead of time to make sure that I got stuff done. It was fine. Yes, I worked more in the afternoon, but it all worked out. We had stuff for our boys to do, and my husband was the go-to person in the afternoon.

I share my own experience to remind you that each week can change. Be flexible in how you approach each week, day, or even parts of the day. This is a time of year when it’s important to talk to your manager, team, and clients about your needs so you can manage all the things on your plate.

Communicate with your significant other

It is really important to communicate with your significant other in general, but I feel it’s even more so in summer. Often, each week is different, and as a working mom, you don’t need to always be the default parent. My husband and I compare schedules each Sunday for the week and check in each night about the next day. The idea is to see where each of your big blocks is and divide and conquer the childcare duties. Figure out how you can support each other with whatever you want the summer to look like. You absolutely don’t have to manage it all solo as a working mom. If you’re looking for a tool to help you communicate what you need, download the Mompowerment Becoming Better Partners at Home Discussion Guide.

What if it’s a busy time at work?

This could be your busy season at work (which has often been the case with my husband). Being strategic in how you use your time, including on weekends, might be really important right now. Remember that work-life balance is a long-term approach, not some unrealistic 50/50 split. Having a busy work season doesn’t mean you can’t have work-life balance. Know the things that matter most to you and put those things on your calendar as your anchors (e.g., dinner as a family each night and/or eating breakfast together, making sure to do something fun on a weekend day, etc.).

Who’s going to watch the kids?

There are all sorts of care options for kids, whether it’s a camp, daycare, or even a neighborhood college student back for the summer. See if a neighborhood kid can watch your child(ren). The internet has opened up loads of activities that you can prep, and an older child can help your littles with. Or you can prep it for your kids who are older and leave out the helper. Yes, it takes time, but it keeps kids off their screens if that’s your preference.

We generally try to keep kids active with limited screen time in the summer. A bit of extra screen time is OK, though, so give yourself a break if you’re using screens more this summer in your house.

When the boys were younger, throughout the summer, we traded care with a neighbor friend with boys the same age as ours. Sometimes the boys were at their house and sometimes at ours. Both sets of parents at both houses had the chance to get stuff done in a quiet house while the boys were at the other’s house.

Make Sure You Enjoy the Summer Too

Don’t only focus on being the activities director for your kids. Schedule things you want to do that you think your family will enjoy. In my case, I love eating at new spots. In summer, that is more about things like new spots with amazing ice cream. No one is going to complain about that.

For my husband and me, especially since this is often his busy season, we make sure to stay connected through at-home date nights. We grab wine, cheese, and yummy bread for after the kids are in bed. It slows down the pace and gives us a chance to connect and enjoy the moment as a couple.

Take Time for Self-Care

Part of getting the most out of your summer as a working mom is making sure you take time for your own needs and self-care. Schedule me-time. Put it on your calendar so other meetings and items on your to-do list don’t take its place.

Do you love a bubble bath? We’re in sandals and flip-flops all the time this season, so it’s the perfect time for a pedicure by myself or with a friend. Take time with friends that doesn’t involve kids. Whatever you need, put it on the calendar to make sure it happens. If you want some ideas for self-care, this round-up on self-care might help. If you’re struggling to find time for self-care, I’ve got 10 tips to help you find more time for it.

You’ve got lots of ideas for how to get the most out of your summer as a working mom. So, what is your intention for this summer? What are you planning? I would love to know!

Realize that you want to make some changes to your work-life balance this summer, but you’re not sure where to start? Start with your why. Understand your motivation for change to create a blueprint and engage the right resources. My Know Your Why Guide can help walk you through uncovering more of what is driving the change and help you figure out what you need.