1 REALTOR + 4 Kids x 1 School Vacation = DISASTER!

School vacation started yesterday. As a mother of four and full time REALTOR, I juggle to get through most weeks. I can even survive emergency snow days (if the weather is bad enough to cancel school, it's bad enough to reschedule appointments). But school vacations can be daunting to deal with. My kids' schedules can rival mine, except they outnumber me four to one! Even worse, when the older ones will be busy and the youngest is not. That means no built in babysitters, and how fast can I find someone else? I don't have family nearby to ditch my kids on - I mean, help me out. After five years of what should be considered one of the world's best juggling acts of all time, I've finally figured it out. I thought that I figured it out in the past, but then the kids cheated and broke the rules by getting older. I grounded them with strict instructions that they are not allowed to grow up until I'm ready, but they're not obeying. As a result, my new and improved list of vacation rules (ta da!). 1) I will "work" twice as many hours as normal, even if I have to sit in the office having Sudoku contests with other agents. It keeps up the image that I'm very busy and do not have endless hours to operate a shuttle bus. 2) I will complain at least twice about a deal falling apart, in preparation for the argument that I should have enough money for another computer / mp3 player / X-box or any other device or activity that they claim will relieve their boredom. After all if I'm "working" twenty hours per day, I should be making more money... 3) All kids' activities must be submitted in writing no less than two weeks in advance, while I can change my schedule anytime, because how was I supposed to know those buyers would cancel, just as everyone I know is headed out for drinks? 4) Chart, graph and post all household chores and make sure my only responsibility is "shopping" (I didn't specify what kind of shopping...) 5) Preset my phone to ring like an incoming call at the press of a button, to avoid answering any question that starts or ends with, "Can I?" (mental note: 15 year old is smart enough to use, "may I" - must keep guard up for this) In the event that I actually might have to stay home to operate the eternal shuttle service, I have prepared in advance. 6) Hope all new prospective buyers are from the south, and will not want to go out in the snow 7) Insist all sellers have live web cams in every room for true virtual showings 8) Charge kids for gas and time missed from "work" 9) Attend all meetings and closings via conference call, and be ready to hit the "mute" button 10) Give in, get coverage, and just take the kids somewhere warm and sunny!