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Children -- very young children, especially -- will slow you down. That's OK. Instead of scurrying through housework while you have a few moments to yourself, complete it with their company and their assistance. You can afford to take longer at it that way. Then when you do have a few moments to yourself, you can take a break, write a letter, read a book, paint your nails.

Bring your children alongside.

Don't make yourself a slave to your children's schedule (or whims) of play, rest, food, etc. Instead set your own course, bring your children alongside, and teach them to be helpful. If they cannot help at everything you do (it is not always possible), you can still train them to be happy, patient, and not a hindrance.

Those times when your work is beyond their ability to help (computer work, for example), you can give them something specific to do right there beside you. You can also use some of those times to train them to occupy themselves happily in a designated area with specific boundaries. Have them play with toys you select and practice being quiet for at least some of that time; this is excellent training for having well-behaved children in church, meetings, restaurants, and other public places.

Think about what your children can do right now.

Self-esteem from helpfulness.

Children want to know that they matter, that they add value, that they are important - even essential - to the household and the family. Abstractions don't teach this. Tangible proof does. "I mop the floor, so Mom doesn't have to," teaches that a child's contribution makes a real difference in a parent's life.

Think of that lesson as opposed to what they learn from seeing Mom stop her valuable work in order to pick up a child's mess, cajole a child into obeying, or placate a temper tantrum. That's where self-esteem issues start. Kids don't need self-esteem training if they learn, from daily work and daily life, how much they matter.