Toys are another issue. With the only grandchildren on both sides of the family, you can imagine what holidays are like. Fortunately, I didn’t have to say a thing. My oldest, who is an aspiring minimalist, took it upon herself to talk to her grandparents about limiting gifts. I was so proud!

For activities, we allow each child to participate in one seasonal and one long-term activity, and we try very hard to make sure that meetings are local enough that our children can get there themselves by foot or bike. For one child, it’s sports and Scouts. For the other, it’s sports and music. That limits the chaos.