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Parent's
Time Out
August 10, 2001
This weekly feature of the Online Exchange
is committed to helping parents take back quality time and
devote it more fully to spending it with their children. Here is where you can start to take a Time Out from the TV, computer, housework, and bills. It only takes a few minutes to do fun and memorable things
with your children and we will lend a hand each week to get you started. Tune in here for encouragement, fun and easy things to do,
and other tidbits, all geared just for you and your precious ones.
~ Time Out for
the Week
Here is something worth taking the time to read, and also worth making
your "Time Out for the Week".
Don't Forget the Kids
If you're holding down a job, got a family to run, and you're trying to
get your Internet business off the ground
at the same time, you'll know how difficult it can be to meet all the
pressures on your time. So, lay down your mouse and forget about the
net, search engines, emailing, autoresponders, classified ads etc etc
etc. I promise, reading this will take a couple of minutes, but it might
just be what you need to hear right now! I went on a Time Management
course many years ago. It was great, and I could write a whole article
telling you in detail all about it. But that isn't what I want to get
over to you today.
Wise Time
The essence of the course was to teach us to use our time wisely. Yes,
we had to devote sufficient time to our job, but we equally had to work
as hard in giving our time to other areas of our lives which we
considered important. This included our hobbies and of course our
family. And who wouldn't agree that our children are important? I
learned a technique on that course which I've never forgotten.
This was it...
.
Question Time
At the end of the course, we were told to go home and ask our kids this
simple question, "What five things would you like to do most in the
world?" We were told not to prompt them. No influencing. No
suggestions allowed. They were to be given a blank sheet of paper to
write down their list. They had as long as liked to make their list,
which they had to hand back to me when they'd finished. The course
people guaranteed us two things. One, we would be surprised at the
answers. And two, at least one of the things they wanted
would cost us nothing but our time. Want to guess what happened to me?
Answer Time
I have two children. A boy and a girl. Back then, the boy was nine years
old and the girl was six. When I read their lists, I could have crumpled
at the knees. Number one on my boy's list was to sit behind the steering
wheel of our car, on my knee, and steer it as I drove into and down the
drive. My daughter's number one was even more amazing. She wanted to
help mommy clean the house and use the Hoover! Can you believe that?
With all the TV and commercialism that existed, even back then, the top
things on both their lists were so simple. Well, we did what they asked.
Wow, it felt good giving them something they wanted which just involved
spending time with their parents! I have to tell you, that was some
years ago. My kids are grown up now. But I don't mind admitting I can
feel a lump in my throat as I recall the event.
Life Time
So, how about you? Are you happy with the balance of your life? Do you
spend your time on the things that are really important to you? Yes, you
have to put the time in at work. And of course you must invest the hours
necessary in your Internet enterprizes. But don't make the mistake of
forgetting the other aspects of your life that are truly important. If
it's appropriate to your family circumstances, why not try the
"five things" test with your offspring? I promise you, you're
in for a great surprise.
Future Time
Incidentally, I'm so glad this exercise made such an impression that
it's stayed with me after all this time. Why? Well, pretty soon I'll be
a grandfather for the first time. And, in a few years, I'll be reminding
my son to give his own child a sheet of paper to do the "five
things" list! Don't forget the kids!
==================================
Brian McGregor is an Internet Marketer and CEO of WorkWinners, which
helps individuals at work to win promotions and salary raises. He
produces a free Newsletter giving "the best careers advice money
can't buy". Work Winners web site: http://www.workwinners.com
Contact Brian McGregor at mailto:brian@workwinners.com
~ What's for
Dinner?
- Crock-Pot
Beef Barbecue
- 1 1/2 pounds chuck
steak or roast
- 1 clove garlic
minced
- 1/4 cup red wine
vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown
sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon
Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup catsup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry
mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black
pepper
- Hamburger buns or
rolls
- Cut meat on
the diagonal, across the grain into 1-inch pieces. Place in
crock pot.
- In bowl,
whisk together remaining ingredients; add to crock pot. Cover
and cook 3 hours on low until or meat is tender.
- Serve on
buns with slaw. I make this with sirloin steak, roasts, ham
chicken. It is wonderful. If you like hot
add a dash of hot sauce to the meat, just before you put
on the bun. Enjoy!!!
You can find this and more at www.cooksrecipes.com.
Check out this very handy site for quality, printer-ready recipes
geared for all taste buds.
~ Just for You
Cleaning is no fun, but I appreciated this thought, and the tips
regarding having an organized office. This is "just for you"
because when you have an uncluttered work area, working at the computer
can be so much more enjoyable.
"An organized home is Peaceful, Relaxing, Enjoyable, Inviting, Welcoming, Friendly, Happy, Calm, Clean, Comfortable.
When your house is organized, it smells great and makes you feel proud to open the door and let people in and to be able to just enjoy their company. No stuff hidden in closets, no rooms "off limits", no running around in a panic - cleaning up when the doorbell rings. Come on in!"
Office organizing and operating tips:
~ Gather up all the office supplies from around the house - stamps, pens, tape.
Keep them in the office where they belong.
~ Hang a welcome sign on the door, or place a doormat at the entrance to separate the office from the residence.
~ Post your office hours and leave when it is time to go. Close the door behind you when you leave to reinforce that you are finished for the day.
~ Suspend a shelf on the wall beside the desk to hold small items that are used frequently.
~ Place supplies that you need daily within arms reach from where you sit.
For your phone:
~ Mount the telephone on the wall to free up desk space.
~ Consider getting a beeper to allow you to get out of the office during the day.
~ Get a headset or a speakerphone if you need to use your hands while talking.
~ Never let children answer the business phone. It is worth the extra
money to put in a separate line.
~ Use a phone log to record who phoned whom, what day and time, what was discussed, and what was promised.
Found at www.a1priorities.com,
where you will find tips for organizing every part of the house.
~
Recommended Site of the Week
Have fun "exploring the world around us". There is a lot here,
so start a folder.
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/treehouse.htm
Thank you for joining us
for this weeks Time Out! Now the rest is up to you. Take the time to do
the things suggested, or think of your own ways to spend precious time
with your family. But most importantly, HAVE FUN!!
Be sure to tell your friends about us! Highlight the parts of the page
you like the best and print it. Then keep a folder of ideas and recipes.
We would like to hear from you! If you have a favorite family site or craft,
send it to us and we might share it with our readers. Or, just let us know
what you think about this new feature.
Contact Sara.
If you would like to subscribe directly to Parent's Time Out, please
click here.
Find all of the
Parent's Time Out Editions in our Archives.
Giving Credit were Credit
is Due...
We search all over for great tips, ideas and recipes and don't want to
forget to let you know where it all comes from. This week we would like
to thank the following:
www.workwinners.com
www.cooksrecipes.com
www.a1priorities.com
www.seedsofknowledge.com/treehouse.htm
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