When people have little opportunity to share a meal or have quality time with one another, their relationships can suffer. It can also be draining to try to keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle. As such, it is important to determine when it is too much.

For some families, the start of the New Year can be overwhelming. Parents and kids are getting settled back into their routines and new extracurricular activities are just starting. If parents are not cautious, their children can end up participating in too many activities, all in different directions. Consequently, managing family time is even more challenging. How often have you fetched your kids from school, got takeaway for dinner, and hustled off to practice with a child attempting to do their homework in the car and the other hurriedly changing into their practice clothes? A lot of parents have simply accepted this is the way life is and their aim is to get through it.

Before family life turns into a wild ride, ponder what is best for your family when it comes to afterschool activities and how much time you spend together. There will be many voices telling you what your child needs to take part in for future achievements. Though these activities can might your child's life more fulfilling, they can also bring on additional stress and worry for the family. When you rarely have the chance to sit down together for a meal or connect, relationships can suffer. Keeping up with the pace can be draining. So, how much is too much?

In challenging times, here are some ways to manage stress and keep families close:

1. Establish guidelines beforehand. Decide that children will only play one sport per season or restrict their pursuits to two afternoons or nights during the week.

2. Be aware of how much time tasks require. Does your child comprehend that soccer practice occurs twice a week (or more), right after school? And, there is also a match each week. Will this interfere with their schoolwork?

3. Set priorities. Education must come first. If kids are having a tough time managing their studies, they may need to cease participating in an activity.

4. Be able to decline. If your child is already engaged in numerous activities but really wants to take on something else, talk about what needs to be removed in order to make room for the new endeavor.

5. Keep organized with a schedule. Put it up on the fridge so everyone is aware of what is going on. And if you notice an empty slot on the calendar, just leave it. Everyone needs a chance to take a break.

6. Even if the kids have signed up for the season, allow them to miss one or two sessions. Sometimes hanging out on a sunny day is more important than going to one extra activity, even if you have already paid for it.

As a parent, taking advantage of the time you have with your family is of the utmost importance. As time passes quickly, it is important to identify and commit to your family's priorities, while refraining from any unnecessary activities. Being mindful and intentional about the time you spend together as a family will be beneficial for everyone.