How to Help Your Family Slow Down this Spring

It's finally spring and the weather is finally beautiful and there are so many opportunities for family fun!  Last weekend was amazing-- Hoof it for Haiti, Parent & Me Sports, Woodbury Earth Day, and Healthy Kids Day were awesome events that brought our community together.  But, at the end of the weekend, I was looking for two more days to get all of the stuff done that usually happens on the weekend...laundry, groceries, sleep...  It seems that this is typical in the spring.  With all of the great events going on in the schools and community, it's easy to get over-involved and forget to take time to enjoy the season while you're racing from Little League to school plays to camp open houses.  So, here are some pointers on how to really take advantage of the season, without going overboard.   

1.  Write it down.  Seeing your schedule on paper, the fridge, or your iPhone may help you realize that you're doing too much.  If you're not going to get a chance to do any of the things that really make you happy (or allow you to survive, like grocery shopping), figure out what you can eliminate.  By taking the time now to write down what your commitments are for the end of the school year, you'll be able to see what other activities you have time for.      

2.  Ask for help.  Can't seem to find time to mow the lawn, get to the post office, or bring your child to the dentist?  This may be a sign that you're over-involved.  There are two ways to ask for help in this instance- delegating and excusing.  Delegating a task like mowing the lawn, might mean paying someone else to do it, but if that means you get to do something that you really want to do with your family, then it's absolutely worth it.  Excusing is asking others to forgive your absence from whatever meeting or event you need to miss so you can check off the necessary items at home.  Everyone has to do this, so don't feel bad when it's you!  By modeling this concept, your friends, family, and coworkers will become more likely to ask for help instead of spreading themselves too thin as well.   

3.  Schedule down time. If writing things down helps you to organize your activities outside of the home, try adding the necessary household tasks to the calendar, including down time.  By writing it down, you're committing to yourself and your family that you're taking that time for yourself and them, without any other distractions.  

4.  Ask your children what activities they really want to participate in.  This may seem to complicate the issue, but it will involve them in the streamlining of their schedules and give them ownership over their time.  When my mother made me choose between the musical and soccer in middle school, it didn't seem fair at the time.  But, that decision sticks out to me because it was an important step in learning how to prioritize.  And remember, if you're worried about your child's resume, colleges won't be looking at how many extracurriculars they participate in, rather the quality of work they were able to dedicate to them.     

5.  Accept the imperfect. As the Beatles sang, "Let it Be!"  If you really want to spend the weekend outside with friends and family, instead of finishing the laundry or whatever else is on the to do list, just do it!  Remember when we were all trapped inside under 2-3 feet of snow?  Now is the time to enjoy the outdoor activities and each other.  Don't feel guilty about how dirty your windows are (they can wait until the next blizzard).