Slow 'em Down

Days start early for kids, around 6:30 a.m. And after school, soccer practice, homework and other activities, they can tend to fall into bed exhausted. Slowing the pace of hectic lives doesn't just happen; it takes effort.

Here are some suggestions to decelerate your children's lives.

Set a bedtime and stick to it. Some parents say their most difficult battles involve bedtime. When our daughter was younger, she could think of dozens of reasons usually good ones to stay up extra minutes. Those "minutes" translated into an hour or more many nights. Sleep is important in providing physical rest for the body and renewal for the mind. Studies show kids this age need around 10 hours of sleep each night. Be firm about enforcing a reasonable bedtime. Grades and attitudes will improve.

Avoid overscheduling. Many great opportunities are available to our children: art lessons, ballet, gymnastics, karate, orchestra, band, cheerleading, church activities, sports, sports and more sports. Set limits on how many activities your children are allowed to participate in. Teach them now to make choices and set priorities so every day of the week doesn't involve going somewhere and doing something.

Preserve family time. If you aren't intentional about reserving some time just for family, you may go for weeks without having everyone together for more than a few minutes. Sometimes going out to eat is a good way to extract everybody from the phone, or other technology, and actually have an uninterrupted conversation. Family time can also happen with a hike in the woods or stargazing in the back yard. Recently, we went to bed early and got up at 4:30 a.m. to wrap up in blankets on our deck and watch a meteor shower.

Let your children see you take it easy. Children model what they see. If we are constantly on the go, our children get the message that they should do likewise. A day to read, reflect, nap or play board games shouldn't be considered laziness.

None of us can be our best mentally, emotionally or physically when we're fatigued. Try slowing the pace and help your children do the same. Then enjoy the rewards of a less stressful lifestyle.

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Other Things to Consider

Transitions: Changing Jobs, Moving

Relationships: Communication Gaps

Parenting Teens: Communication Problems