Is your family too rushed?

Since the start of this term way back in July I've been thinking a lot about the speed at which we live our life.  I think the contrast from our lovely two week holiday was so confronting. And I found that it took me weeks to get back up to speed.  I've been wondering if this is a speed that I want to live at.  I do cling to the belief that I have some control over the pace!

I have thought hard about me working and the impact that it has on our family life.  Being a mum and full of the Guilt,  I have talked and talked with my husband and friends about whether or not I should keep working.  I've come to the point now where I feel OK about working.  I've realised that I like it, it is enormously stimulating for me and I'm not sure it would make all that much difference to the kids if I wasn't working.  My hours are good, they are 80% of the time being cared for family members when they aren't with me or at school.  So I think on that front it's pretty balanced.

So then we come to the extracurricular mayhem that seems to have consumed our life.  Each child doesn't do heaps, but what one does, impacts on the others.  The younger ones still have to go to all the music lessons and get carted around to all the training and drop offs.  The older ones can at least now be at home on their own a bit to fiddle faddle around, I mean, get some time at home to do their homework.

As much as it is enjoyable to attend a concert and see them play beautifully, I'm constantly asking myself how their music and sport contributes to the kind of person I want them to be.  And we also want them to be involved in youth group and church, so that's extra time in their week that has to be allowed for.

I haven't got the answers.  All this thinking is a work in progress.  I've just started reading an interesting book called "Simplicity Parenting" which is not a nice way of saying 'Parenting for Dummies' (although, I could do with one of those thanks) but is actually a book that challenges our society to look at the impact our rush is having on our kid's childhoods.

Yesterday after school I just let the kids play with the Lego that is spread all over the sunroom floor.  There were so many things that should have happened.  Homework, speeches, assignments, music practice.  But I just let them go for it.  I think they needed some down time, some creative time.  And we had a much happier afternoon.

Do you feel rushed with your family life?  Do you feel like you get to enjoy your family?  Or is this a pipe dream that I need to let go of?  I'd love to know what others are thinking and feeling about the stage they are in with their kids.