With Memorial Day behind us, summer has officially begun, and I can already feel the energy in my home changing. With longer days, we’re up earlier and in bed later. Baseball games, barbeques and sprinklers are beckoning.

The question is how do you stay focused on the business projects you want to accomplish while still enjoying the lazier days of summer?

Every mom can appreciate the extra stress of summer vacation but for work at home moms it can be even more challenging. Most of us can’t afford to put our businesses on hold for three months. So what can help us manage our business while we still enjoy the summer with our families?

Here are some summer vacation tips that I’ve found helpful:

Banish Guilt – Don’t waste your summer feeling guilty. You can’t get it all done (be it every work project and every activity with your children) so for your own sanity stop expecting yourself to. Focus instead on being grateful. The gratitude stems from acknowledging your opportunity to work from home and run a business that brings your joy and income while spending quality time with your children. (more…)

We watch our children and our husbands do it, but for us as moms it’s so hard to do “nothing”. It’s hard to let go of our to-do list and spend a weekend or even just a few hours really relaxing. You’d like to sit and read a novel, take a bubble bath or play an endless game of Monopoly with your 9-year old.

But… if you’re like me there’s always something you really SHOULD do. You’re already mentally gearing up for next week and thinking of ways to get ahead—maybe it’s catching up on laundry, getting a head start on your next newsletter or responding to last week’s emails.

 

 Mom’s Weekend Dilemma – Time to Relax or Time Get Ahead? [Metromom Podcast] [6:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We hear about teamwork all the time. For you to be successful in any joint venture you have to get everybody feeling like they’re part of the team. The same is true with your family – everything runs more smoothly when you function like a team. This is especially important when you’re a work at home mom since your family is often involved in your business.

The first step is to make sure everyone in your family is involved and participating. Maybe have a family council meeting. Sit down and say, “Here are all the things that need to be done every week in our household. Which ones would you like to be in charge of?” Then make a chore chart so everybody takes turns or can pick things they’re good at doing.

You should also make sure everyone understands what the goal and payoff is. In business you know everyone is always thinking, “What’s in it for me?” Your family is the same way, in order to be behind something they need to know what’s in it for them.

For example, are you saving money so you can have a family vacation or move to a better house? Do your kids know about these objectives? Make sure they understand that you work to help support your family. When your kids understand that, you’re encouraging them be a part of your team.

Finally don’t forget to celebrate as a team. Celebrate with your family for reaching a goal, whether it’s saving money for your vacation or getting all of your chores done this week. You can do it inexpensively. Maybe take them out for an ice cream cone or get off work a little early and take them to the park to play on the swings together.

Plan together, work together and celebrate together and you’ll start enjoying the benefits of family teamwork. If you need more tips download my interview of Debbye Cannon, the BusinessMom Mentor on “How to Keep Your Family from Imploding While Your Business is Exploding!” She shares fantastic tips on ways to create smooth rhythm in the home and office so you can replace stress, chaos and clutter with serenity and prosperity.