School summer hols looming - how to work as well!!!

[biffbiff]

Last half term ds cut his hair off when I was too busy working in the next room! How do I get through the summer hols without losing all my clients but still give the children a nice time?! Any ideas that don't involve expensive summer camps? Thx

Swop days/hours with other parents? Get DP (if you have one) to help out giving you childfree time. Draft in friends/relatives where possible.

Try to keep evenings free to catch up on work if you need to.

Could you try to structure the day and let them watch TV/play on the computer/ipad whatever for a couple of hours in the am, with the promise of time with you in the pm? Then let your clients know you'll be around in the ams.

Look around for Church/not-for-profit/Council run clubs that might be cheaper that full on holiday clubs. Might be less time, but it will be some childfree time.

Swallow the cost and book holiday clubs in order to protect you clients...

It is a difficult one. Depends on the age and temperament of your kids too.

Good luck.

You'll hate me for saying this, but turn into a night owl.

As SOON as small children are in bed - and if you can get DH to do the bedtime story, go and get a couple of hours work done - see my previous posts passim about training clients to expect emails a few hours later at odd hours.
Leave ALL housework / washing up etc to be done in the morning while they are around - it can be made into a game or while they are colouring etc, work cannot
AND
if you have to make calls, drum into your kids from the earliest possible age that the phone and computer are work - they let Mummy earn money to buy fun things so if she is concentrating, its in THEIR interests to let her.

and yes, when they get older, it gets easier. Mine don't wake up till noon left to their own devices!

I'm lucky DS1 goes to a free summer camp at our school for 4 weeks. And DS2 goes to nursery 2 days. DS1 is ok to be left to entertain himself however DS2 is a nightmare and breaks out is really naughty and hardwork so I sympathis with you and the cutting of hair.

I agree with TalkinPeace2 you do loads at night. Concentrating on the meals, housework, shopping in the day.

You could (I know its a nightmare thought) get up extra early a few mornings a week and do as much as possible then, do a bit more at lunchtime and then finish off in the evening.

Could you consider some babysitting by a student? Especially someone aiming for childcare quals so you could get a better cheaper rate. Say a few mornings a week.

Realistically there is no answer, some people are blessed with grandparents falling over themselves to help out but some of us have to get on with it.

I know how hard it is. I have three DSs and school holidays are really tough - the workload stays the same. I just try to spend my mornings doing fun things with them, letting them watch a DVD after lunch so I can sit with them with my laptop and get an hour or so done, work in the evenings and weekends with DH is around, do a little bit before they get up in the morning. Last year two of my DSs went to a local church summer school thing for a week, just mornings (which they loved). DS3 goes to a childminder once a week anyway. It is just a case of juggling and muddling through until September!