Spontaneous or Scheduled Summer? You Can Have Both!

In the summer months ahead, it gets even harder to keep a structure and feel efficient. We want a schedule–but perhaps with some more flexibility than we have all year round.

Does summer, in your book, equal endless hours of fun and relaxation at the beach?

…Or is it more like, endless loads of laundry from all the bathing suits and towels, and hours spent sitting in carpool lines at various day camps?

Many young mothers relate that their summer schedule feels busier than the school year with a whole new slew of responsibilities (extra carpools, wet bathing suits etc.)

Let’s begin with moms who don’t work during the summer. Is it worthwhile to schedule your day? It depends, but I would venture to assume that even those who are excited at the prospect of free time crave structure. One client told me, “I’m excited for the summer, I need to relax after a long year while my kids are in camp. But no schedule at all makes me feel unaccomplished.” 

My recommendation for ladies who want the semi-structured approach is to schedule your time loosely and allocate room for “to do/accomplish” plus “mom time/self-care”. Thus, you will get the best of both worlds: knowing where your time is going, while inserting the extras!

What about the working moms who perhaps get only one week off at the end of the summer? Writing out your schedule may still be helpful to visually see the changes in your kids’ routines. Perhaps there is an extra chunk of time waiting to be uncovered to accomplish something extra. (think long Friday afternoons.) 

Let’s explore the “CPA” method, a concept that really resonates with my workshop attendees (young and old, working and non-working:)

**Step 1: Categorize**

Begin by categorizing your weekly tasks into fixed and variable activities. Fixed activities are those that occur on a regular basis, such as carpools, getting kids to school or weekly appointments. Variable activities are more flexible and can include errands, appointments, or personal projects.

**Step 2: Prioritize**

Once you’ve categorized your tasks, it’s time to prioritize them based on their importance and urgency. Adopt the A-B-C method to categorize your tasks:

** A: Always Must Happen: ** These are non-negotiable tasks that must be completed on time, such as work deadlines, getting kids to school/camp,or attending important appointments.

 ** B: In Between, Should Happen: ** These tasks are important but can be flexible in terms of timing. Examples can include exercise, household chores like laundry and meal planning etc. 

** C: Could Happen: ** These are tasks that are desirable but not essential. They can include hobbies, personal projects, or leisure activities, and will vary based on age, stage, and culture. 

**Step 3: Assign a Day & Time**

Now that you’ve categorized and prioritized your tasks, it’s time to assign them specific days and times in your calendar. Using the “Block ‘n’ Box method”, you should block out time for your fixed activities first, ensuring that you allocate enough time to complete each task. Then, slot in your variable activities around your fixed commitments, being mindful of your energy levels and scheduling breaks as needed.

Here’s an example of how anyone can apply the CPA method to set up a loose weekly routine during the year:

– **Monday:**

  – Morning: Work (A)
  – Afternoon: Grocery shopping (B)
  – Evening: PTA appointment (A)

– **Tuesday:**

  – Morning: Exercise (B)
  – Afternoon: Household chores (B)
  – School Carpool (A)
  – Evening: Supper with married children (A/B)

– **Wednesday:**

  – Morning: Work (A)
  – Afternoon: Doctor’s appointment (A)
  – Evening: Chesed project (B/C)

Here’s a visual example of a mom with young kids who incorporated CPA to her weekly routine during the year: She used her regular schedule, highlighted one day’s agenda, and then coded it using the A,B,C’s of priority.

July is here, and work is done for this lucky lady. It’s time to tweak her schedule to reflect the changes. Notice in the image below how her day begins a little later (9:45)  but she is able to insert swimming, shiur, and a Thursday lunch date, before carpool pickup.

**Pairing Tasks for Efficiency**

 To further optimize your schedule, consider pairing tasks that can be done simultaneously. For example:

– Driving time can be paired with phone calls or listening to podcasts/shiur.

– Meal planning time (when done on Google doc) can be paired with catching up on emails or planning your weekly schedule. 

– Cleaning jobs that don’t require concentration can also be paired with listening to your favorite shiur or podcast.

With the CPA method, you can take control of your schedule and make time for what truly matters. By categorizing, prioritizing, and assigning tasks, you can create a balanced and efficient weekly routine that allows you to thrive in all areas of your life. So, grab your weekly calendar, implement these strategies, and watch as your productivity soars and your stress levels diminish. You got this!