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Taking Back the Family Weekend

By , About.com Guide

Let Go and Relax

Ditch the idea of perfection. If the house is sometimes messy or you are late for an occasional soccer practice, try to relax and keep things in perspective. Chances are, other parents are struggling to juggle everything, just as you are. "If you’re interested in getting organized so that you have the time and energy to do the things you really want to do (not do more organizing), there is no better place to start than with realistic goals," says Welch. "Rather than chasing someone else’s definition of what it means to be 'perfectly organized,' which is often rigid and unsustainable in real life, take the time to define success criteria that make sense for you."

And watch for signs that your child may be stressed and anxious. One reason may be because he has too much on his plate, and may be feeling stress that’s similar to yours. That’s all the more reason to have a relaxed attitude and have some fun on the weekends with the people you love.

Finally, try to strive for some "no work" time on the weekends, says Watson. "It’s so easy to work twenty-four seven," says Watson. "Try to limit only a small portion of the weekend, such as Saturday or Sunday morning, to checking email or work."

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