I’ve gotten quite good at this. I get so overwhelmed with not having time that I miss out on a lot of great things like keeping in touch with friends more regularly, reading a new book, exercising…oh you name it. Luckily, I have not sacrificed family life with these excuses; probably because I live with these people daily and have no choice…LOL.

It is possible to do things you’ve always wanted to by simply just doing them! Here are some things that have helped me that hopefully will help you.

1. Keep in touch with friends any way possible!
Email them. Text message them. Call them. See them. Any or all will help you stay closer.

2. Take advantage of events to see friends and family.
One example was “open gym” time at a local gymnastics academy. My friend Heather filled me in about it. We get to catch up and our kids get to play and have fun!

3. Get away from the TV and read with your kids.
I know, I sound like a commercial. I will say that I’ve started reading more with my seven-year old daughter, Sarah, and look forward to this “ritual” as often as I can. We will both lay on the bed and take turns reading pages from one of her books. We both have a lot of fun and it helps her to love reading, which can be challenging at times.

4. Let go of work and just have fun.
This is tough and if anyone who reads this has any tips on how to “leave work at work” please let me know. I have gotten better though. Family time is priceless and being a full-time working mom, I try to cherish every moment I can by spending time with the family and ONLY turning to work either after hours when everyone is in bed or at the office the next day. I’ve gotten very good at working on “my time” not theirs.

5. Commit to taking a vacation EVERY year.
Google how many Americans take a vacation every year, and you will find very sad results of Americans who let their vacation days slide and work instead. It’s very easy to do that, and Americans are the worst culprits. Take all your vacation days!! Our family takes a vacation every year and it’s the best thing you can do to decompress and spend time just having some plain old fun!

Don’t use time as an excuse. If you really want to do something, you can do it.