As our kids get older, they pull away and the time they choose to spend with us becomes a precious commodity...right?!?!?

I feel like lately I really need to remind myself of this. The last few weeks, after school time has been a nightmare for me. Between homework, instrument practice, and extra-curricular activities I'm finding it difficult to let the kids just be kids. In turn, they're all kinds of obnoxious and I feel ready to tear out my hair! Now, with daylight savings, there is no time to send them outside and let them run their energy off.

How do you keep your sanity in these winter months? What do you do to balance all of the famliy's commitments and still have time to breathe?