When the weather is warm and the sun is shining outside, it’s hard to focus on the task at hand in the office. Whether you are going on vacation or just dreaming of one, productivity tends to decline around the summer months. Time to buckle down and make the most of your time at the office. Here are some tips to staying focused this summer:

Make plans for children—If you’re a parent, balancing work and having a child at home is difficult and definitely weighs on work productivity. Don’t wait until the last minute to make summer plans for your kids. Look into day camps, educational and sport activities to keep them busy. If needed, research community child centers for daycare.

Communicate and plan—The most important thing you can do during the summer is over-communicate with your boss and team about days off. Even if you’ve reminded your team that you’ll be gone, remind them again. Make sure that your work is done or in capable hands.

Be flexible—Keep in mind that you may have to work a little during your vacation or work on nights or weekends during the summer. Of course, take time off and recharge, but be available in case a work-emergency comes up. Additionally, you may need to cover someone on vacation which means more work. Be prepared to schedule in a late night or two at the office so you can take vacation, too.