I read a blog post on this topic a little over a week ago called Where Does the Time Go? and it has really stuck with me. I really think you should jump over and read it- but to summarize he talks about making intentional living choices- and being very deliberate with the allocation of his family's resources (time and money) to be sure that they are being spent on what's really important. The whole time that I was reading it, I just kept nodding my head.
THAT is exactly how I have been trying to live- and I really think that it is part of the reason that I feel like I have plenty of time to do what's really important to me. I am pretty picky when it comes to giving up our time (and our money), and I choose how we spend both very carefully.
As the parent of two preschoolers, I can't tell you how many times I hear, "Oh just wait! As they get older, life will get so much more hectic." I can see that...especially in larger families. Lives get hectic really quickly shuttling kids back and forth to activities, lessons, practices, games, etc etc. I know that my life will get more hectic too- and I am prepared for that. But I also think that to some degree I am in control of HOW hectic I allow my life to get.
My kids only do 1 activity at a time- so our calendar is not quite as cluttered as it could be if we signed up for everything that crosses our path. When one session of something ends, we talk about what they would like to try next. I also try not to go overboard on parental arranged play dates. I try to keep our schedule light because I want my two girls to play together, to be bored, to find a way out of being bored, to learn about helping out around the house, and most of all, I want to allow time for us to just BE.
My husband and I hold ourselves to the same limits- making choices about evening commitments very carefully. And even though I don't necessarily do it on purpose, I tend to limit our weekend commitments instinctively so that we have plenty of time together as a family.
Sometimes things DO get hectic, but I know that when I'm starting to feel like there's not enough time to get it all done- it's because I'm choosing to over schedule myself. All it takes is a few cutbacks to get my head above water again.
Our life is FULL of running around. But, I try really hard to ensure that it's mostly the good kind.
My parents did the same thing with me - one thing at a time. The one exception was piano lessons. I did that for several years and it was coupled with another athletic or artistic activity each "season" and I can say I had a lot of time to play in the backyard, hang out with my family, and just be a kid. I don't ever remember feeling overburdened or pressured as a child the way today's kids do. I want that for my own (future) kids too. As the wife of a very busy professional I sometimes feel overwhelmed by our schedule (or rather his schedule and trying to schedule around it) and I long for that less crazed and quieter time of my childhood.
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