it didn't allow you to choose two item
ex. summer classes and ralax and pursue other interests or second job and take classes

I take care of my own children during the summer, carrying out quality outings like garden walks, Shakespeare-in-the-park and art galleries.

I am working on my graduate degree, spending extra time with my son, and making lesson plans for the next year. I also get the room ready ahead of time, sometimes it feels like it takes weeks!

As a Home Schooling Mom of one we have spent our summer this year going to the beach, hanging out (some much needed goof off time) cleaning, swimming, watching movies, cooking special dinners and trying not to melt at 110 degrees!

My first thought is that I take it easy and relax. But I also worked in a vacation academy for 5 days. I'll attend at least 2 workshops, one paid and one not paid. I, hopefully, will be in another three day technology seminar. And I catch up on all my reading. I finally have time to read edutopia the way I would like to read it all year long. And finally, I get to spend time with my own kids. That's fun.

This summer I have/will garden, read,and visit family & friends. I am also taking a class beginning next week. I have been spending about a half day a week at my new school. In addition, I am co-owner of our antique business. So summer means some big out-of-town antique shows and catching up on paperwork! I wouldn't say my summers are restful. They are have a more flexable schedule and are a different pace from the school year.

It takes me at least a month to finish up year-end loose ends and catch up on school-related things that I had always intended to get to, but never did during the school year. After that I make an effort to do things not related to school for several weeks--hike, fish, read non-education books, etc. Due to the availability of technology and communications, it is very hard to get away from it, but I do try. Then I spend some time playing with tech stuff that I really do need to learn. I can't really focus on it during the school year. Fortunately, I do consider that fun and relaxing. Finally, the last few weeks are a competition between what I really want to do (non-school) and what I really need to do to get ready for the next school year.

In addition to home improvement projects I spend several hours every morning googling "school dropout" articles in the national news. I search for people working on high school dropout issues and email them about the Middle School Archive Project that appears to be making a difference at our school. It is my hobby. I hope several other middle schools join us by getting a 300+ pound vault donated to bolt to the floor in their lobby to house letters from 8th graders until their 10-year class reunions. At that reunion we also have the former students speak with current students about what they learned the past 10 years. Would they do anything different if they were 13 again? Google "dropout cure" for more details at the first hit.

I do all of my routine car maintenence, medical and dental work during the summer which keeps me from dealing with subs during the year. The two surgeries I have needed were done on my summer break as well. So far I have been luck enough (19 years), to have not taken any sick days! This year I also scheduled my wedding for mid-summer.

Homeschooling one child does not in any manner compare with teaching classes full time. You make your own schedule. We don't. You have no pressure to follow curriculum, track data, deal with personal/interpersonal student relationships, school board demands, CEU requirements,correcting hundreds of papers, planning for individual differences, inclusion, disabilities,...and the list goes on.