Scheduling a day off

I'm a organized person and I love a schedule, I am the Energizer bunny, but batteries sometimes need to recharge or else we just keep going until we run out completely. I find it hard to have a day off, but after years of constant stimulation, I learned that to have a happy and productive home you must have some vacation days. I don't schedule them as frequently as I should and some times I'm blessed with random days off. So here is a list of how to's to get you relaxing, because I'm all about giving you guys concrete actions that will help you attain your goal:

1. Check the calendar: in order to schedule something you must know what is already in your schedule. There's nothing more stressful than being double booked in a time slot or finding out last minute that you had something scheduled. So be aware of what you have on the calendar so you can pick days off.  I like to schedule at least 2 days off a month, but you do what is necessary for you.

2. Stick to it: once you've chosen those days off, stick to that schedule and don't be tempted to move it to another day. Inevitably, someone will invite you somewhere or the kids will have some random event pop up on that day off. Stick to your original plan!!! It'll be hard, but you need to keep this appointment with yourself.

3. Plan for it: I love how I use the word "plan" so often in talking about a day off, but nothing happens without one. A day off is wasted without a plan, even if it is to sleep in till noon and binge watch your favorite show on Netflix. If you go into your day off without an idea of how you're going to enjoy it, it will never be enjoyed. You can squeeze the most delight from a day off, when you wake up in the morning and are able to just stay in bed because you already know that's your plan (doesn't that sound dreamy!)

4. Make it fun: imagine yourself at a Hilton, sinking deeper into a soft pillowtop, room service is free (just cause they liked your pretty face) and that whole bread pudding you devoured has no calories. Doesn't that sound divine?  Well, it might never happen, sorry!  But, you can still have fun, on a budget, with your 20 kids, in your messy house :)  What I'm trying to say, in my sarcastic way, is that make your day out fun for you and most importantly, doable.  One of our favorite things is getting a movie from Netflix, popping some popcorn and cuddling up in giant fleece blankets on the sofa to watch the movie. Or the kids love to "campout" in our room, just microwave some s'mores and you're in business.

I hope these tips help you organize your way to a lazy day, full of fun re-energizing memories for the whole family.

Go get them ladies!