Little League. Soccer. Horseback riding. Swimming lessons. Family picnics. Employer picnics. Vacation. Summer camp. Visiting relatives. Just typing all those activities made me tired! In addition to all of this, you may also include gardening, yard work, a wedding or two, and a few rounds of golf, tennis, or volleyball. Let's not forget that you will still be cleaning your home, cooking, taking care of your children, exercising, working, and keeping up with your hobbies.

If your children are grown, you can take about six activities off of the above list. But, if you have three or more children, you will be multiplying those six activities! Regardless of the number of people living in your home, there's a good chance that you will be going in different directions this summer. How can a busy family find time to be together when everyone needs to be somewhere different? By simply using the Rule of One.

One Main Calendar

If you don't have a main calendar for your family, now is a good time to create one. Using one main calendar will ensure that everyone knows what is happening, who needs to be where, and when it all takes place. As plans are made, write them on the calendar right away. If you make an appointment while out of the house, be sure to write it down on the calendar as soon as you get home. I like the ones with the big 1" x 2" squares for each day because I can see it from across the kitchen. You may prefer a desktop style calendar instead. I found Polestar Calendars on the web. There are also computer software calendars, like Microsoft Outlook, or Sidekick (my favorite!) If you need to access your calendar from the office, but don't want to carry it with you, try one of the web-based options available, like Jungle Mate or Remember It.

One Day Per Week

Choose one day per week for a "family day." Don't schedule anything else for that day - no appointments, no lessons, no visits, etc. It doesn't even have to be the same day each week. Just be sure that at the beginning of each week you pencil in this Very Important Priority. Your family needs you! You need time to reconnect with each other, whether there are just two of you, or ten or more of you. Play a board game, take a walk, create your own home movie, or just relax in the shade of a tree and talk. Once you have at least one day per week set aside for family, you can move on to the last Rule of One.

One Extra Activity

During the winter many people feel tired and run down from the lack of sunshine. That doesn't happen in the summer when most days are filled with bright sun, chirping birds, and fresh breezes. We tend to want to get everything done so we overbook our days. Our to-do lists get too long; we take on too many projects; and the children sign up for every activity under the sun. To avoid this, limit each family member to only one outside activity. Soccer or horseback riding? Gymnastics or tennis? The choice will be up to the individual and it will depend on how the activity fits in with the family schedule. Remember to schedule one day for family first! If you have more than three children you may even want to convince some of them to attend the same activities, otherwise you'll find yourself traveling all over town every day of the week!

Summer time doesn't have to be the season that you lose your sanity. With one main calendar to schedule all your events, one day per week dedicated to your family and one outside activity per person, you will cut down on summer stress. Use the Rule of One to enjoy that sunshine, and enjoy your family!

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About the Author
Kelly Huckaby is the HOMEWriter. This Christian/Wife/Mother/Writer lives in WI with her husband of 13 years and their five always-homeschooled children. She is active in her local homeschooling support group, is the moderator for four homeschooling and two writing e-mail lists, and has a web page that offers support for families using The Weaver Curriculum. Her goal as a writer is to be an encouragement to other mothers. You can visit Kelly at her Unofficial Weaver Pages.