Accept help from others
Readers unanimously agreed that if we are busy helping others, it is only right to accept help when needed. For example, one person suggested that I carpool rather than take both of my boys back and forth to every football practice. A wonderful idea! Unfortunately, that didn't work in this situation, but it's worked for us in the past.
Tune out the outside world sometimes
Turn off the ringer and let the voice mail/answering machine pick up your calls. Turn off the TV and radio. Allot an hour of silence at least once a week when no outside interference is allowed. Even better-try making it a family night, spending time reading or playing games together. (See my article from September-"Indoor Family Fun"-for more suggestions.) This may not always be possible, but sometimes we have to make time.
Do something for yourself
Take a walk in the park, read a good book, soak in a hot bath, call an old friend, write some letters, paint a picture, or anything that you enjoy, things that are often overlooked in your haste to do things for others. You may be surprised how energized and recharged you will feel. If nothing else, it makes for a great attitude adjustment.
I also would like to elaborate on the tips I mentioned last month.
Keep your schedule flexible
...or go with the flow. Try to grab any extra time you can during the day. During the summer, my children are bouncing off the walls until after midnight most nights. I lock myself in my office and work on stuff I can't get done during the day with three children around. It's okay to work until 1or 2 am, because I can sleep in a little the next morning, too. The point is: I could fight them to get to bed earlier at night and wake them earlier in the morning or I can adjust my schedule to fit theirs. And it hasn't been difficult adjusting to the new hours when school starts. I make myself retire earlier the week before school starts and after the first couple weeks, a new schedule has been set. During school evenings, the house is quiet from about 10:30 on. I catch up on my computer work, read, or watch a movie. This is my time and it helps me get through the day-knowing I can have an hour or two to myself later.
