I couldn’t resist the headline, but be assured, I am not comparing a family visit to a British Invasion.
However, if your family visits do make you take cover in the nearest bunker, keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming blog post: ”How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?” But I digress.
TODAY’S post is about family you love and enjoy spending time with and the fact that whether it’s by land, sea or air, your parents are coming! YAHOO!
How can you work together with your spouse, children and parents to make it a great visit for all?
Hosting family offers a wonderful opportunity to build relationships, laugh and play, be a tourist in your own hometown, have impromptu talks, create memories for your children and connect with the people who know you, love you and accept you; warts and all.
As working moms we talk about juggling all the time. When your parents visit, it requires a unique juggle.
We still have work, the children still have their activities and commitments and as a host, we want to be sure our guests are comfortable and happy.
Plus (and maybe most important?) we want to relax and enjoy our time with family too – in the long run, what could be more important, right?
But, as busy women with lots to do, it can be a challenge to slow down and optimize the time we have with the people we love.
I am definitely a “work-in-progress” in this area – maybe you are too. But I thought I would share my ideas for optimizing this time. And I invite you to share your ideas with me as well, by posting comments on this blog.
Coach Me Quick Tips for Embracing and Enjoying Family Visits:
1. PREPPING: Prior to the visit, try to decrease your commitments during the time your family is staying. Decrease your work load, reschedule your children’s classes and activities and leave as much “free time” as possible.
2. EATING: Plan a few meals and buy the groceries needed before their arrival. Having a few ideas and the ingredients makes whipping up dinner, fast and easy. You can also make a couple of dinners ahead of time to freeze and thaw. And, don’t forget to treat yourself to take out!
3. DOING: Think about a few “anchor” activities ahead of time. For example, maybe there is a special event that you want to attend or an activity that you want to be sure to try out. Having a few anchor events makes it easier to fill in with additional activities along the way. And speaking of activities; ask your family what they want to do – don’t try to figure it out for them.J
4. REQUESTING: Ask for help making dinner, driving, assisting children with homework, walking the dog, ordering the pizza, taking out the trash, etc. People want to help, but you are so darn efficient, they are not sure what to do!
5. BONDING: Plan a time for each child to be with their grandparents. I can’t take credit for this idea (my parents came up with it) but it’s a great one – and fun for everyone.
6. COMMUNICATING: Don’t assume that people are tired or bored or hungry or anything. Check in and see what is needed and wanted.
7. ENJOYING: Try not to opt out of fun activities so that you can be better prepared for what has to get done. If everyone is going to the beach for a walk, don’t use that opportunity to go get groceries. Somehow the group can work together to get everyone to the beach and get some grocery shopping done.
8. SHARING: No one knows what is in your head. If you are enjoying a great conversation and a glass of wine, but feel you have to leave the conversation to go make dinner, ask the group for a solution. They don’t want you to leave the conversation either (unless they are very hungry) and together you can figure out a great solution that works for all.
9. EXPLODING: Eliminate the possibility of you exploding by sharing your anxiety or stress. Believe me, your family will thank you!
Enjoying many great family memories in L.A.,
Jamee
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Photo by Mark Pauls 
Photo by leewrightonflickr