Me:Wait, you justboughtit?

Did you even look at the reviews?

Husband: Uh, no.

But it says right here that its for kids.

And its SPF 50, so …

Me: Well, what are the ingredients?

Have you heard anything about it?

Basically, I havent fully researched this topic yet, and was not ready to make that decision.

Do you have the receipt?

Husband: [Blank stare.]

Being a modern parent is terrible.

Im not cut out for this.

Do you know what Ive been doing this morning?

Do you know what vitamins I had growing up?

DAYLIGHT WAS MY VITAMIN.

But psychologist and family counselor Dr. Sheryl Ziegler believes that parenthoodparticularly motherhoodkicks up this belief thateverydecision is critical.

Too many choices should make us happier and freer, but Ziegler explains that the opposite often occurs.

In the end, I had a stroller that was great!

It transported my daughter from one side of the food court to the other with ease.

I should have done more research.

To stay sane, we need to limit our choices.

Ive found some ways to do it.

When you establish a vision for your life,alldecisions can be made more easily.

(For a good starting point on this, check outDebbie Millmans Ten-Year Plan exercise.)

Figure out the big things, and the little ones will naturally fall into place.

It sounds pretty easy, but it may not be.

Or Whats that kids lunchbox that you have?

Do you like it?

[Places into shopping cart.]

Automate Whatever it’s possible for you to

Set up subscriptions.

Buy and Make Things in Bulk

Have a childrens birthday gift thats a winner every time?

(Mine isthis book.)

Buy 12 of them so youre not scrambling every time your kid gets invited to another party.

Make freezer meals ahead of time for your lunches throughout the week.

Buy a bunch of packs of the exact same socks.

You get the idea.

Its a great school.

As Ziegler writes, the best is not always feasible.

So stop trying to aim for it in every single decision.

(This is tough if youre a parenting over-thinker like me.)

Whats best for your family is simply what works for your family.

Make what works the goal.