As the boss of your family, you will likely find a mission statement handy, if for no other reason than to remind yourself of what you were thinking when you brought these people into the world. And why you shouldn't take them out. Corporately, a mission statement should address the employees, the shareholders, and the customers. Here's a quick primer on adapting those three categories to family life.

It's not that we parents don't WANT to connect socially, to share a laugh, dip some chips, or put our keys in a bowl and take our chances. It's just that we're pooped. Dark under-eye circles, can't finish a sentence kind of exhaus...zzzzz. Do you phone up your host an hour before a party with some excuse to stay home? You may be a Chronic Bailer. It's a serious (and LAME) condition.