Balancing Spring Break and Work
As we enter March we have settled into our routines for the season and the year; however, we start to think about our next break. We are entering spring break season, and most Americans schedule their vacations around the school schedule of their children. This can sometime be difficult because schools do not take parents’ work schedules into consideration when they make their yearly calendar. This can create some challenges, but these obstacles can be overcome, to ensure we and our entire families have a great spring break together.
Scheduling
The most important aspect to having a successful spring break is proper planning. This is not referring to planning a trip if that is your usual ritual. It is about planning your work schedule to accommodate your spring break needs. This could be as simple as getting ahead with a few projects, scheduling some meetings at various times, or ensuring you will not miss a major meeting or event that would be looked upon poorly if you were not present. Most schools give a week off for spring break and you do not need to go somewhere or have family time the entire week. If you cannot get out of a full week of work, schedule a heavy early week to allow you to sneak away for a short trip or family activity at the end of the week. The most important thing is not waiting until the last minute to make work preparations.
Managing Children
If you are unable to rework your schedule in a convenient way, consider your remote work possibilities. Many meetings are virtual, and this will allow you to stay in contact and be accessible if needed when you are out of the office. You can even travel and send the family on an adventure without you allowing you to work at a hotel or coffee shop. If you and your partner both have work responsibilities, come up with a plan that works for both of you. Each parent can take one or two days off work to watch the children when they are out of school. This will enable the other to work so they do not fall too far behind. Navigating childcare can be a challenge but a good parent partnership, remote work options, and the ability to plan can help make these stressful times enjoyable.
Living in the Moment
Whether you take an extravagant spring break vacation or simply stay at home to care for the family, you must remember to enjoy the moments. Having to plan a trip, rework business calendars, and coming up with childcare solutions can be stressful; however, the time with our families and children is priceless. Kids grow up fast and time together during spring break should be cherished no matter what you do during the time. Life should be about spending time with your loved ones. Stress and challenges are a necessary part of the process, but we must remember not to dwell on them. We should enjoy these moments and ensure that we work to live, and we do not live to work.
Spring break time is a unique opportunity for many families. It provides challenges but can lead to some once in a lifetime memory. Based on where you live, break times differ. This makes reworking everyone’s schedule difficult, but putting in the work yields results. If you take the time to plan, consider all options, and account for everyone’s responsibility, you will figure out a way to have a great spring break.