We live in a world of yes. We have more options and more freedom than at any time in the history of the world. Thanks to the ease and relatively low cost of travel as well as the all encompassing reach of the internet, we can have experiences that would have seemed impossible for our grandparents. We can work in one city, take guitar lessons in a second, grab dinner in a third, and then travel home in a fourth. We can do an insane amount of things in one day. With all of the opportunities around us that we can say “yes” to, it’s becoming very difficult to say “no”. While all of these opportunities can make our families stronger, they can also have an adverse affect. Here are three times that saying yes may damage your family:

Saying Yes Without Looking At Your Calendar

You see your child’s teacher coming across the parking lot. Before you know it, she asks, “Hey! Can you help out with the PTA fundraiser next month?” Before you have a chance to really think it through, you say “yes”. After all, your child benefits from what the PTA does. Shouldn’t you carry your weight? Without seeing how much time you have, you add another time demand to your calendar. You know from experience that if you work hard and juggle well, you can make it fit. But, is it a good idea? Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Your time is your one unrenewable resource. Once it’s gone it’s gone. So, you had better take time to think before you give more of your time away.

Saying Yes Without Looking At Your Budget

We often see budget constraints the same way we see time constraints. If we work hard enough and balance carefully enough, we can fit it all in. That’s just not true. Cutting things a little close this month or throwing something on an already bulging credit card may not seem like a big deal, but it all adds up. One of the biggest sources of conflict in marriages today is money. Nobody plans to have money troubles, they just say “yes” a little too often.

Saying Yes Without Looking At Your Family Goals

We have goals at our jobs, goals about our weight and the food we eat. We set goals concerning our money. We rarely take time to establish goals concerning our family and what we would like it to be. Every decision you make about time, money, and career will affect your family. Most of us would admit (or at least say) that our families are our top priority. If that is true, then we need to examine our goals for our family before we say “yes” to anything. Just because something is good doesn’t mean that it’s the best decision for your family.

Being able to say “no” at the right times is one of the best ways you can prioritize and protect your family. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it!

Photo Courtesy of Death To Stock Photo