Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last day of school, the local outdoor swimming pool is open, and the temperature has sky-rocketed. Summer is here! Are you still stuck in your winter routine? The one filled with rushing around to after school programs, play dates and endless birthday parties. Do you still feel the pressure of hurrying your kids to catch the school bus and rushing out after them to deliver the lunch that little Amanda forgot on the table? Summer is here! Time to relax!
Summertime is a time to relax some of our daily routines, allowing more flexibility into our lives. The holidays are often a time where we anticipate lots of wonderful family time together to create and share experiences that are timeless. Yet many parents dread some of the practical challenges of getting through the summer. Many people can't afford to totally disengage from the routine of work and adult commitments to spend as much time with their children as they would like. Don't get caught up in the "all or nothing" mindset - even small changes in your daily schedule can go a long way to helping your child feel like the priority in your day.
Creating more time in a busy adult life is easier if you follow these five simple steps:
1. Identify the barriers blocking flexibility in your schedule. Look for areas in your schedule that can be traded off for more time with your children.
2. Address each issue identified above and rate as flexible or inflexible. For example, a weekly team meeting would rank as an inflexible activity whereas an hour at the gym after dinner would rank as flexible.
3. Engage your child in the planning of shared time. Make sure the time you spend together is valuable. Plan activities that you both will enjoy and that allow for parent / child interactions.
4. Be Mindful. Remember, you can't be everything to everybody. Sometimes your commitments as an adult conflict with your commitments as a parent. When conflicts arise, talk to your children to explain the situation and let them know how you feel.
5. Respect. Everyone needs time alone. Remember to respect your and your child's need for "me" time
Let's look at an example:
Julie is a busy solo-entrepreneur running a web design business from home. She has an eleven year-old daughter, Sierra, who is days away from the start of her summer vacation. Julie has signed Sierra up for summer day camps but she also wants to spend more time with her this summer.
She looks at her schedule. Mondays are usually set aside to start new projects or meet with prospects. Tuesdays and Thursdays she goes out to a yoga class after dinner. Wednesday are usually pretty light, with mornings set aside for medical appointments or grocery shopping. Thursdays vary - some weeks busy, others are dedicated to business planning and strategizing for her own business. Fridays are traditionally project end and launch days.
Julie looks for holes in her schedule and finds that some activities can be combined with time with her child. Sierra loves dancing so Julie trades her yoga classes for ballet lessons with Sierra. As she has a fair bit of flexibility with her Wednesday and Thursday schedules, Julie decides to shorten her work week for two months of the year to free up Fridays to spend time with Sierra. From June 30th to September 1st, Thursday is the project end date. She contacts another freelance web designer to arrange for emergency coverage on Fridays. Julie's clients are notified of the summer hours and of the additional coverage available on Fridays should any emergencies arise.
Mother and daughter sit down and start planning activities for their first long weekend and decide on a trip to the water park. Now mom and daughter are both counting sleeps to the weekend!
Remember: It doesn't take much effort to make small changes in your routine to allow more time with your children. The time that you spend (or don't spend) with your child has lasting effects on their self-esteem and self-worth. Though it may at times be challenging to affect lasting change, it's worth the effort! After all, these are the days that create lasting memories.
Dr. Charles Sophy currently serves as Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of nearly 40,000 foster children. He also has a private psychiatry practice in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Sophy has lectured extensively and is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Los Angeles Neuro-Psychiatric Institute. His lectures and teachings are consistently ranked as among the best by those in attendance.
Dr. Charles Sophy, author of the "Keep 'Em Off My Couch" blog, provides real simple answers for solving life's biggest problems. He specializes in improving the mental health of children. To contact Dr. Sophy, visit his blog at http://drsophy.com.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carFor parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid... Read More
Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More
There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
In 1996-97 we were contracted by VAXA International of Tampa,... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Airplane Themed Party Games... Read More
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More
My wife and I have been working on a video... Read More
Jason Meridith's two-year old son whines when he wants more... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose... Read More
Not Letting Them Think.We all implicitly know that anything questioning... Read More
Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More
We are all aware of the child obesity epidemic that... Read More
I am a single mother of a 17 year old... Read More
Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More
Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More
As the new school year begins, parents play a pivotal... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
Do you feel like someone has abducted your sweet, innocent... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
Parenting |