by Mimi Doe, author of Busy But Balanced

Involvement in after-school activities develops our children's social skills, discipline and strengthens their sense of responsibility and teamwork. It's our job as parents, however, to help our kids balance these activities with family life, homework and downtime. The following tips are a good place to begin:

1. Schedule lessons for every second week rather than weekly. Give your child the free day to practice or as playtime.

2. Set up a carpooling arrangement so siblings aren't spending their precious time taking "Jimmy to karate."

3. Be mindful that activities might push back your child's bedtime. If after-school classes or sports run until dinner and homework is packed into the evening hours, what time is your daughter hitting the hay?

4. Are family dinners a reality in your household? If activities make eating dinner together impossible during the week, consider establishing a Sunday meal as mandatory family time. Everyone attends and stays until the final dish is washed and put away. The menu isn't important -- it could be frozen waffles for brunch -- it's about sitting around the table engaged in conversation.

5. Make sure the weekends are a time to rest, daydream and recharge for the week ahead.

6. If you child resists taking a class or signing up for a sport, don't insist, but rather listen to her reasons with an open mind. Sort out whether:

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