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Ideas, insights and inspiration for busy people on the go Monday, March 14, 2005 |
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Editor’s Scribbles
This, our first Smart Edition, is dedicated to busy parents with children. In this issue, you’ll discover ideas from our tips on how to be the best possible parent to your kids despite your busy schedule.
Kids are precious, kids are a joy and your kids need you now. The growing years will be gone in flash and then as your kids pack to leave home, you’ll wonder where those years went and why you never spent more time with them, to get to know them, to be with them when they needed you.
Sadly many of us place more importance on our work than on our kids. Is this you? If so, then let this be Minute Chaser’s wake-up call to you to make time for your kids. You may not think your kids notice you spend more time at the office than with them, but believe me, they do notice! So get home early this evening, surprise your kids and watch those adorable faces light up. Have fun
If for whatever reason, this issue doesn’t interest you right now, here are a couple of suggestions. Either save this to read later, or forward it to someone who could benefit from this information now.
Stay tuned for more Smart Editions coming to an ezine near you. Just my bit of Monday morning humor
As always, feel free to write and tell me what you think of this issue. Have a super week. Ciao for now.
Kit Editor/Publisher Website: http://MinuteChaser.Go-GetGlobal.com Email: chaser@go-getglobal.com
Featured Smart Are You Too Busy for Your Kids? By Lorraine Pirihi In his recent newsletter “Happy Kids”, parenting expert Michael Grose (yes he is an expert with three kids of his own) said: Australian parents currently rate achieving work-family balance as their greatest parenting challenge. Currently, 71% of Australian parents say they have difficulty finding time to do the things they enjoy with their children. So what are the key relationship-builders to focus on when you are busy and life is full on? A number of different studies show children and young people want three types of interactions with their parents: Family rituals such as reading to children in bed, shared mealtimes and celebrations. Some activities may come and go but rituals by definition are cut in stone. One-on-one interactions are vital for relationship building. Whether it is playing a game with a child or having a coffee with a teenager make sure you regularly spend some time with each of your children on their own. This goes double for middle children or those having difficulties in their lives. Down-time so that spontaneous and fun interactions can occur. Family holidays and lazy Sundays provide opportunities to connect on an informal basis with children. This is particularly important for fathers who tend to communicate best when having some shared fun with their son or daughter. The challenge for busy people is to carve out some time for these important relationship-building opportunities. Those people who can successfully balance the two spheres of work and family use similar skills at home to those they use at work such as prioritising, delegating and planning ahead. Make family activities a priority and plan around them rather than fitting them in at the end of the day or week when you are tired. It also helps if you get support from home and also have some support and recognition at work that you have a family at home that needs your energy and attention. www.parentingideas.com.au You Can Turn Your Life Around You certainly can turn your life around by learning to say 'no', learning how to manage your time and then taking action. That's right. Everyone tells you how busy and how little time they have, yet most people do nothing to learn the skills that will have a dramatic impact on their work and personal lives. Cats in the Cradle For those of you old enough to remember, Harry Chapin recorded a song called "Cats in the Cradle". It was about a young boy whose Dad was always busy working. He never seemed to be available when his son wanted to be with him. Over the years this continued until the boy became an adult. By then his Dad had retired and had time on his hands, however his son had now become too busy to see his Dad. He too was working and had kids. The tables had turned. All of a sudden the Dad realised what he had done. He was too busy caught up in his work and missed out on his son growing up. The Final Word Bringing up balanced, positive and well-adjusted children is the most satisfying thing you can ever do. Whatever successes you have had in your life, nothing beats the feeling when you look at your child knowing you have made a major contribution to the way they’ve turned out. (Also the opposite can be true…if you’re child has run off the rails, you may have to take a look in the mirror). If you have kids and you seriously want to have more time with them, then take action today. There are many simple changes you can make that will free up your time. If you’re too bogged down and can’t see how, then get some help…contact us. Whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Kids grow up very quickly. I know from personal experience.. My eldest child turned 21 last week and next year my son goes off to high school. I am so grateful that I have played a major role in their upbringing and regardless of how busy my schedule has been, I have always made my family the highest priority. You can have more work/life balance if you really want to. All it takes are a few changes to the way you currently operate your life. Remember, nothing changes, if nothing changes. ----- About the author: Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life. lorraine@office-organiser.com.au
Just 2 Smart Safe from Strangers by Gary Direnfeld There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of your young child by a stranger. The fear causes parents to think long and hard about their children’s safety. They tell them in a very clear voice, “Do not to talk to strangers.” The problem is though, that a child’s view of a stranger is very different from a parent’s view. From the child’s perspective, because a stranger is someone they are supposed to be afraid of, they expect a stranger to look ugly or scary. In fact, few, if any strangers actually look like the child’s notion. Then to make matters more confusing for children, we teach then to respect and listen to their elders and be polite. Then as role models, children see us talk to people we have never met before, day in and day out. So young children get it and will not to talk to strangers. They will very willingly avoid scary looking people. However, when confronted by a friendly, kind looking older person, they will likely respond politely, which in most cases means “speaking when spoken to” and as they are taught in school, they will follow their directions. Helping young children not to talk to strangers or not go with them, takes much more than the simple admonishment, “Don’t talk to strangers.” Parents who want to increase the likelihood that their child will avoid or leave from persons unknown must spend a good amount of time talking about the issue and teaching their children on an ongoing basis. These tips may help:
Managing your child’s safety, in your absence is truly a scary thought for most parents. We do not want to put undue fear in our children, but we do want to keep them from harm. It is important to understand how our own behaviour may contradict what we want children to do when approached by people they do not know. We have to talk about the difference between what parents may do and what children may do. Only parents may touch the stove… only parents talk to strangers. Finally, in addition to teaching who NOT to talk to, we must also teach, who they CAN talk to. If for instance, your child is lost in the store, who can they talk to? Develop a list of safe persons your child can talk to – even if they do not know them. The list may include police, fireman, teachers and even cashiers in stores. Remember keeping children safe is an ongoing discussion and not a simple one-time set of rules. Keep talking with them to keep them safe. ----- About the author: Gary Direnfeld, MSW garydi@sympatico.ca 905 628-4847 Gary Direnfeld is a social worker and expert on matters of family life. He is in private practice, writes and provides workshops and is the developer of the "I Promise Program” – teen safe driving initiative. Search his name on GOOGLE.COM to view his many articles. Feel free to call him for your next conference and for expert opinion on family matters. Courts in Ontario consider Gary an expert on child development, marital and family therapy, custody and access recommendations and social work. Buy the book: To order Direnfeld's book, Raising Kids Without Raising Cane, send a cheque or money order in the amount of $12.00 to: Interaction Consultants, 20 Suter Crescent, Dundas, Ontario, Canada L9H 6R5 Parents of new teen drivers are encouraged to check out this teen safe driving program: www.ipromiseprogram.com http://www.ipromiseprogram.com/gary/direnfeld.htm
Over Coffee
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IN THIS SMART EDITION (Parents with Children Issue)
Editor’s Scribbles Featured Smart Are You Too Busy for Your Kids? Co-op Ads Just 2 Smart Safe from Strangers Over Coffee Get your handy tip featured and earn yourself a free ad listing
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Issue 0503-14. Copyright 2004-2005 Minute Chaser Ezine. All rights reserved in all countries. |
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Hello to our many new and current fellow Chasers. This is the Smart Edition of Minute Chaser, a special edition providing you smart tips for different areas of your busy lifestyle.
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. I don’t have a planned schedule for these Smart issues right now. I love a nice surprise so I’ll let these be a surprise in your inbox.
