like they can't get anything accomplished over the summer I'm so frustrated, I have so much to do but I feel guilty if I leave dd to play by herself for too long.

Okay, so I am the only one feeling like this I don't think I phrased that very well. I guess my real question is: Does everyone play with their kids all day when they are off school in the summer? DD (14) is away with her dad for most of the summer and we live on an acreage so dd (4) is pretty bored if I'm not playing with her. I have so many projects I wanted to get done but I think it's best to leave them until she is back in school (sigh). How do you carve time out for yourself during the summer?

Last summer I had a girlfriend tell me that her plan was to let her kids play in the pool while she cleaned out their big shed. I looked at her but didn't say anything. Did the shed get cleaned out? Of course not. By not saying anything I purposely robbed myself of the opportunity to say "I told you so", thus saving the friendship.

Our summers are so busy I don't make any project plans short of whatever DD can help me do (declutter her toys, for instance) or what may require hiding in the basement during the heat of the day.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."

I have felt this way, but I have a philosphy..Your kids will only be young once, enjoy them!! Summer only comes once a year, so enjoy it..Play outside, enjoy the day..Of course take some time to get things done, but weigh them by importance so they are not taking up all of your free time..

I often feel like I can't get things done. I will often ask myself what is more important? Do what you can before they wake up or after they go to bed. Don't beat yourself up unless you are completely ignoring them. (I'm sure you are not.)

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In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.Mother Teresa

I will tell you it is harder in the summer but I am bribing the kids to let me get some things done. I am setting them playdates and when it is their turn to go somewhere I get to get somethings done.

I am still behind on my list of stuff but I have crossed a couple of things off of it.

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Please, don't feel guilty letting your dd play by herself for a while. Playing by herself is a great way for her to use her creativity and imagination and explore her surroundings. You'll always be there as her safety net, but she'll be able to develop some independence. I don't think it's a good idea to plan any heavy-duty projects while you have a little one around, but you could still get some smaller things accomplished. Maybe you could even let her help you a little bit.

My dd is 9 now and when she was little I used to play with her all the time. I was her main source of entertainment. Guess what? Now I have a dd who has problems entertaining herself and always needs to have someone around. I blame myself for spending way too much time playing with her. So trust me, it's OK if your dd plays by herself, even for long periods. I wish I'd known then what I know now.

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When the sun came up this morning I took the time to watch it rise,
as its beauty struck the darkness from the skies.
I thought how small and unimportant all my troubles seem to be,
and how lucky another day belongs to me. ~ Jerry Reed