DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like I have spread myself way too thin. I have a regular 9-to-5 job that I love and I give my all. I volunteer at my son's school on a range of projects. Plus, I sing in the choir at church and teach Sunday school whenever the main teacher is out. This grew over time, but now I feel exhausted. And I don't know what to do. I have made myself invaluable everywhere. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but when you show up and help, it makes a difference. How can I step away from some of these duties so that I can claim a little balance? -- Missing My Son, Jackson, Mississippi
DEAR MISSING MY SON: Track your days for the next week. Write down everything that you do and how much time it takes. Include "me time" as well as time for your child. Chances are, they are less frequent than your other activities. Identify which duties take the most time -- outside of your job -- and, the hardest, pick at least one to cancel or pause immediately. When you decide, speak to the person in charge of that function. Apologize for being unavailable, but be firm that you have to step away right now. You can do it!