I am being totally serious when I say you do not have to do anything you don’t want to do. You are within your power to say NO any and every time. 

Don’t want to babysit the grandkids…………….You can say NO.
Don’t want to help the adult children move yet again…………You can say NO.
You don’t even have to spend Thanksgiving with the in-laws if you don’t want to!

There is so much freedom to be found in casting aside the guilt that has you doing things that you don’t want to do. Here is the caveat, yes there are consequences. But the decision is truly yours. 

So let me give you some helpful hints on how you can say no and be totally ok with it. 

• First, give yourself permission to be ok with allowing others to have their own thoughts about your NO. They don’t have to understand, and honestly it’s none of their business (Yes, this includes your children).
• Love your reason why. This always makes it easier to say NO.
• If there is no way out of it, such as I’m a teacher and Open House is a requirement, find a thought that will help you make your no a yes. (Bridge thoughts: My student’s get to showcase all that they are learning. I can give an hour extra of my time and vow to not work this weekend.)

If saying no, has you captive in what will they think, or I just can’t say no even if you have no desire to follow through with the task. I can help. Guilt does not have to be your deciding factor for doing things you don’t want to do.