Here are some quick tips:

– During a week when they have no camp or set activities, I plan with the kids what I will do with them and when. That way I have pockets of time in my mind when I feel it’s OK for them to watch TV or play on the computer while I catch up with work.

– I do have to be pretty organized, but I find it’s all about expectations with my kids. I plan one activity each day. It can be as simple as going to the library or as complicated as making it all the way out to the Water Park. The rest of the time is for play or reading.

– If they fight, I separate them. I remind them how unpleasant it is for them to be around when Daddy and I are fighting!

– When they tell me they’re bored, I make them do chores. I rarely hear “Mom, I’m bored!” anymore!

– Like Katrin, I get up really early. I can have a good two hours to myself in the summers when I do this. A great side effect is that at night I am forced to be more moderate with my summertime partying. (One glass of wine or beer too many and I’m draggnig my feet at 6am!!)

– I do kid-swops with girlfriends. They take one, two or all of my kids for A WHOLE DAY and I do the same for them. The kids keep themselves busy and happy, and we get a chunk of real time to ourselves.

– I take time to organize the house. I pay the kids to do certain things like help me with boxing up old toys or putting away outgrown clothing. They feel helpful and important and I feel like we’ve really done something useful. This translates into less guilt when I plonk them in front of the TV!