How can working moms get through their children's summer vacation stress-free? Concrete tips and ways to cope

No, no, no, no.

It's getting closer.

The footsteps are approaching 👣👣👣👣

The kids have started counting down,
saying how many days are left 😂

That's right! Summer vacation is approaching.

For moms,
making breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
being asked to take them somewhere,
and the homework problem,
summer vacation must be a whirlwind.

Children's summer vacation is a season of trial for working moms

While it's an exciting summer vacation for children, for working moms, it's a challenging period where balancing 'work' and 'child-rearing' becomes even more difficult.

Even though you have work as usual, daycare and school are closed.
You tend to run out of both time and mental space.
That is precisely why prior preparation and peace of mind are the keys to spending summer vacation stress-free.

What are the causes of stress? Real voices of working moms

There are several common points in the stress that many working moms feel during summer vacation.

• Not knowing where to leave the children
• The burden of preparing lunch
• Getting frustrated because study and daily routines are disrupted
• Children getting grumpy because they have nothing to do

• Not being able to have time for yourself
It is not uncommon for this kind of stress to arise from the feeling that 'I have to do everything perfectly.'

How to make a plan to spend time stress-free

First, what is important is to create a schedule that is not unreasonable. If you aim for about 60-70% instead of perfection, your mind will feel more at ease.

• Make a rough plan for every week
• Balance study, play, and helping around the house
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• Incorporate time slots or activities where they can spend time alone

By visualizing the schedule, children also feel secure, and parent-child stress is reduced.

Tips for making good use of childcare and support

Not carrying everything on your own is the point to getting through summer vacation.

• Utilize after-school care or private summer schools
• Ask for cooperation from grandparents and relatives
• Create days to take turns watching children with neighborhood mom friends
• Adjust your company's work-from-home system
Relying on those around you is by no means being lazy.
Rather, successfully engaging in 'team parenting' also leads to peace of mind for the children.

Ingenuity at home and creating an environment where children can act on their own

Summer vacation can also be an opportunity to foster the ability for children to think and act on their own.

• Let children handle simple things like morning preparations or lunch preparation themselves
• Post a to-do list where it can be seen
• Decide on household rules (e.g., what time games end)
• Make efforts to set small goals so they can feel a sense of accomplishment
When children start acting independently, mom's burden is greatly reduced.

Self-care to protect your own mental health is also important

Moms staying mentally and physically healthy is directly linked to the stability of the entire household.

• Secure 'me time' for at least 15 minutes a day
• Encourage each other with other moms
• Enjoy your favorite drama or reading after the children are asleep
• Make days where you don't push yourself and decide 'I won't try hard today'
Just having mental space creates room in how you interact with your children.

Things you can do right now to get through a working mom's summer vacation
Finally, I will summarize concrete actions you can start right from today.• Write a rough schedule on the calendar• Research and apply for childcare and support systems• Make a 'list of things I want to do during summer vacation' with your child• Talk with your husband or family about the division of roles• Decide not to blame yourself and not to aim for perfectionSummer vacation seems long, but it passes in the blink of an eye.Once it starts, you realize it's over before you know it.I feel that way every year.That uneasy feeling before it starts only lasts until it begins 😂Not pushing yourself and getting through it with a smile is the greatest success. To all the working moms, you are not alone. Please find your own way to spend the summer.Thank you for reading.May you all have a happy day today as well.