During our active child-rearing years, my husband Tom and I developed a strategy that enabled everyone in the household to "get a life." I called it the Rule of Two: each family member could have two activities outside of job or school, and we adults agreed to limit ourselves to two evening absences per week. Everyone was able to get something he wanted, but no one got everything he wanted. It ensured that family life didn't revolve around a single member, and it helped the kids learn how to prioritize and make choices. It helped prevent the "it's all about me" orientation I've noticed in kids who aren't given limits.
If you're feeling frustrated by a hyperactive family schedule or are detecting signs of entitlement in certain family members, try the Rule of Two. You might be surprised at how effective a simple change can be.
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