1. We made a list that had only one or two "to do" items for our family time; not the gigantic week-long lists I tend to create for our usual work/family schedule. In the end we were able to accomplish most of those things. Not only because we had a basic focus for each day. But because it wasn't an overwhelming list, so I felt great accomplishment when we were able to cross something off. That gave me more energy for the next day, without the guilt of the lingering "unaccomplished" list weighting me down.

2. Sophia started off the break with a cold. Our great network of friends took Dylan to a whirlwind of activities at Children's Museum, rock-climbing and more, so that he got the action he needed. Sophia and I organized about 1,000 pictures into piles that went into their own boxes at long last. We made two digital books from 100 of them, including finally creating a book about Dylan's early years. A previously unfinished project that had been eating at me for years. Finally done in a matter of partial days. Honestly, I look forward to someone being ill so that we can do puttering projects like this. But I realized, of course, that if I simply dictate two days each month to something nagging at me in the decluttering process, it will actually get done.

3. Other than one day of interviews for a book project I'm doing with fifth graders, I gave myself permission to actually NOT attempt to juggle work and family time during this week. We organized Sophie's room. We boxed up material for charity. We had sleepover dates. We rode bikes. We saw an Omnimax movie about Arabia at the Science Museum. We read books. We hiked at a Nature Center. We hung out with friends...but also carved out a few days that were only for the three of us. BREATHING, I learned, does not require taking a vacation or going to yoga class. It happens when you simply choose to let go of whatever is pressing on your chest.

None of this is earth-shattering insight. But in my own life, I am increasingly reminded that the reason we tend to become stressed as Choice Moms is NOT because we can't get everything done, but because we are TRYING to get everything done.

It will never all be done. The best advice I can give, right now from this stage in my life -- with a daughter nearly 11, and a son who is 6 -- is to REDUCE YOUR STRESS by taking time off to do the simple projects that will make you and your children happy.

What are the handful of things that you need to complete in order to breathe with accomplishment?