http://lastheplace.com/2009/08/08/saying-no-is-really-saying-yes/ The Premier Online Magazine for Los Angeles Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:20:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://lastheplace.com/2009/08/08/saying-no-is-really-saying-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-98868 Shannon Rihner Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:46:38 +0000 http://lastheplace.com/?p=9742#comment-98868 This was a great article, Alanna. I realized you were writing about me and my complaints of the summer and the kids... and then I read a little deeper and realized that what you were writing was 100% correct. I need to say No so I can Yes to myself. Last night the kids were once again busy with activities and my husband and I had the house to ourselves. (after dropping them off at different activities!) We had some alone time to discuss what we were both feeling and have decided to put our foot down and let them know that for the rest of the summer that they can choose one activity that we will have to help them with each week. Whether it be a sleep over, or a ride to the mall or beach.... or whatever... they get ONE free ride during the week. They can choose what it is but that is it! The other time may be staying around home or at the pool or whatever they want, just don't rely on me! :) Thank you for reminding me that my time is important too and they can still have fun, but they don't need to be doing something every single night. I think I will go for a nice long walk around Mission Viejo Lake tonight! Thank you, Alanna! This was a great article, Alanna. I realized you were writing about me and my complaints of the summer and the kids… and then I read a little deeper and realized that what you were writing was 100% correct. I need to say No so I can Yes to myself. Last night the kids were once again busy with activities and my husband and I had the house to ourselves. (after dropping them off at different activities!) We had some alone time to discuss what we were both feeling and have decided to put our foot down and let them know that for the rest of the summer that they can choose one activity that we will have to help them with each week. Whether it be a sleep over, or a ride to the mall or beach…. or whatever… they get ONE free ride during the week. They can choose what it is but that is it! The other time may be staying around home or at the pool or whatever they want, just don’t rely on me! Thank you for reminding me that my time is important too and they can still have fun, but they don’t need to be doing something every single night. I think I will go for a nice long walk around Mission Viejo Lake tonight! Thank you, Alanna!

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