Time management

Time not only heals all wounds, but it can help avoid them altogether. Time spent with your child is an investment that has many rewards for both of you. When you spend time making a batch of cookies or sitting down for breakfast, you form important family routines and rituals that help your child feel safe and secure. When you go for a 20-minute walk with your preschooler, you're creating time to talk with one another and be physically active. A few minutes spent snuggling up to read is physically comforting and will promote your child's speech and language development.

When you spend time with your child and your family, you're showing your family is important and worth the time you have to give them.

If you feel you're constantly out of time, you may want to think about how and where you spend it by:

• Setting priorities and knowing your limits.
• Learning how to say "no" to work, volunteering, and other activities and limiting those things that take you away from what's most important to you.
• Separating your work life from your personal and family life.
• Trying to make flexible work arrangements. Let others know your values and priorities.
• Learning to say "yes" to your personal needs.
• Finding activities you can do with your family, such as family "date" nights, walking the dog, kicking a soccer ball, swimming, or skating.