Presidential leadership headline

You may not be able to say “no” yet, so start moving toward it by negotiating your role downward. Learn to agree to do less, says coach Talane Miedaner. Practice this response: “I won’t be able to do X, but here’s an alternate proposal: I could do Y.”

Start working on setting up a reserve of baby sitters — check with friends, neighbors, the local college and high school. And when you start caving in to the guilt, remember this mantra from coach Cheryl Richardson: “My kids need a healthy, centered mom.”

Look for a cleaning lady — just once a month to begin with. Might be a high school student or a professional. And when the guilt kicks in, see mantra above.

Learn to receive help that is not perfect. “To be spiritually sane in this world, we have to realign our standards, making them higher in some places but lower in others,” says Richardson. “Re-establishing a relationship with ourselves is more important than having our rugs vacuumed just right.”
Work together with a buddy — or several buddies. Brainstorm ideas, share encouragement, watch one another’s kids.