Happy summer! For many of us that means trying to entertain our kids all day while we work, take class, clean and ever so slowly mark off the days until school kicks off again this fall.

But seriously, summer is fun. In our house, with four kids underfoot, summer means our kitchen looks a bit like an arts and crafts studio, the backyard is covered in water balloons and oozing popsicles and the television is always on too loud. It’s two months of organized chaos.

For the first honeymoon week of summer break, it’s nice to have the kids around. It’s awesome to not fill out field trip permission slips, check homework or figure out how to make a balanced lunch when you realize at 6 a.m. you forgot to get to the grocery store the day before.

It’s fun to map out projects and work on dollhouses made of cardboard oatmeal cans and pretend you didn’t see them build a catapult out of your good silverware. I mean really. That thing had impeccable aim.

Then, you suddenly remember, you still have to work, or finish a final or heck, make dinner. The magical bubble of summer pops and you have to return to grown-up town. Sigh.

And then the tough part begins: balance. Summer fun meshed carefully with grown up responsibility. In our house that means we grudgingly submit to a schedule that allots timeslots for reading, projects, summer homework and outdoor play time. Everyone knows when mom has to work on the computer, you better be at the table reading quietly. And don’t even think about leaving that popsicle stick on the countertop.

Do you have great ideas for balancing your summer schedule with your kids’ need for fun in the sun? How do you continue to concentrate and study when the kids are bouncing on the trampoline?

Share your ideas with us!