Don’t fall for too many commitments
Ask Laurel…
September will soon be here with back to school and lots of sports, clubs and activities. How do I avoid over-committing myself and my family?
There are so many wonderful activities to choose, it’s easy to jam your schedule to overflowing. You probably want to give your children a rich smorgasbord of experiences. But just like a food buffet, if you don’t pick and choose, you just might end up making yourself sick. Over-extended schedules, even made with the best intentions, often result in fast food in the car, rushed conversations and frazzled nerves.
What’s your tolerance level?
Each family has its own tolerance level for commitments. Some families are able to take on lots of things and still feel energized. Other families need fewer commitments in order to function smoothly. Think back to last year.
Did you feel overwhelmed?
Did it seem like you were always rushing from one activity to the next without time to breathe?
If the answer is yes, then being pickier about the things you commit to is probably a good idea.
Consciously create an experience
Consider the experience you want to create for your family when making choices. Participating in one activity, having more fun and feeling less stress far outweighs multiple commitments. And remember to leave some white space in your schedule to allow for all of those unexpected things that will most definitely pop up.
