Working at home during summer holidays… especially if you’ve become accustomed to strange working conditions… like say… sitting down at your computer for 2 – 4 hours at a stretch… can be compared to running a jackhammer.

Some days all the jumping up and down from your desk, running here and there and being interrupted for the umpteenth dozen time can rattle your brain and take it’s toll.

If you’re not careful, the summer will get away on you and you won’t feel like you’ve accomplished much or had any fun with your family… you may even… gasp… look forward to September.

Here are a few rules that we use at our house to make the summer more productive and enjoyable for everyone.

1 Plan ahead.

Any ride requests, wake up calls and visits or outings must be planned a minimum of 24 hours in advance and I need to be let in on the process to boot – a small detail that somehow among batting eyelashes and puppy dog eyes sometimes gets forgotten. If this is the case, I reserve the right to a guilt free NO.

OK, the puppy dog eyes get to me sometimes, it’s better to look away… just look away… no peeking!

2 – Write it down don’t whisper it in my ear while I’m on the phone or yell it at me from 2 rooms away.

I admit, sometimes a wind blows between my ears so we use a whiteboard communications center with an area for everyone to put notes and we have a calender for specific dates and plans. If it’s not written down, chances are that I won’t remember. It’s a small thing to ask and if I screw up, there is always written evidence. On second thought, maybe yelling 2 rooms down isn’t such a bad idea.

3 If my brain is on my desk do not disturb.

You can use anything you want to represent your brain. I have a squooshie toy that bears a remarkable resemblance. If it’s on my desk, unless it’s extremely important, the kids know to wait, otherwise they may interrupt an important train of thought… or see me talking about them on twitter.

I also like this because I can work with my door open if I want to, which I almost always do. If it’s age appropriate, you may prefer to use a closed door as your sign.

What is age appropriate?

It’s up to you. If you generally can be left alone in a room, it’s ok to close the door when you’re working.

4 Micromanage household chores.

Your house needs to be somewhat in order to enjoy it and to stay productive when you’re working. I make a rules list breaking things down so that they are simple and easy to remember.

A few that we have are…

• Garbage in Garbage

• Dishes in Dishwasher

• You Mess It Up You Clean It Up

• No Dishes in Bedroom or Living Room

• Put Your Shoes Away When You Come In

• Laundry Needs to be Put Away Every Day

• Cans Need to be Rinsed and Put in Recycling

As simple as they are, these seem to cover the major problem areas. The kids each have their own chores as well, with these basics covered their chores aren’t overwhelming. I am sure to do my own circuit as well daily, preferably in the morning if I can.

Try to make it fun. At the bottom of our rules sheet, I have written…

violators of this agreement will be towed away the their own expense.

So far we’re all still here.

5. – Self Discipline.

You’ll need to be self disciplined in enforcing your summer rules, especially at first and also with yourself in enforcing your own boundaries.

Create targeted work time by getting up earlier or staying up later if you’re a night owl… or don’t have teenagers.

Arrange activities, computer time, trades or help during your work time and leave your work behind during play time.

Map your day and don’t blur the boundaries by working into play time or playing into work time.

And one more family rule.

6. – Do Not Knock on the Door While Walking Through It and Hand Me the Phone With the Repair Man on the Other End While I Am In The Bathtub.

I don’t take calls from repair men while I am in the bathtub (anymore).

I advise you to make this clear or who knows who you will find yourself talking to when you have soap in your ears and a bubble hat on. It seems awfully hard to get anything repaired this way as well. They keep calling back!

Don’t forget the most important rule of all is to have fun with your kids this summer, make some great memories and use the good times to rejuvenate your self and breathe new life into your business.