Rush here, go there, list of things to do, and there never seems to be enough TIME!! Families are overbooked, overspent, and just down right exhausting their use and needs in time. Children are modeling and taking after their overbooked and over-extended parents when it comes to utilizing time. Parents try to buy extra time by shopping online, picking kids up after practice and feeding them dinner in the car because there is no time until the next event, an evening meeting for parents and group work at a nearby friend's house for the child. Sound familiar??

What is the outcome of this RUSHED lifestyle of today? STRESS! Kids are displaying signs of stress at home as well as in school. Often times of stress lead to a child shutting down or avoiding responsibilities altogether. Some children force them-selves into overloading in both homework and school/club responsibilities.

Homework Overload?
Does your child spend too much time doing their homework? With a push back to the basics of education and the pressure of competition among children, the time spent studying has risen. Kids need to make better use of their time. It's not always the quantity but the quality of study time. With parents trying to find quality time to spend with kids, what better way than reviewing flash cards, reading a story, talking about the news, or working on a project together. Keep the lines of communication open with your child on the factor of stress and homework. Is your child confused about the assignment or objectives? Explain to your child a good approach is to use the time after school to meet with teachers. Daylight hours are best to do work. Use the time immediately before or after dinner to do work.

• Make sure your child has a quiet, well lighted work area.
  
• Make sure your child has a balance of work, rest & play.
  
• Be a good role model. Demonstrate by showing how you manage time, enjoy free time, and relax.
  
• Get a reality check from other parents as to the time spent on homework. Contact & discuss options with your child's teacher.
• Read the article on "Danger Overload of Activities" (www.familyplay.com/advice/petersen/d0831.adv.html)

Want to know some great stress reducing tips? This web site includes topics such as "30 Minute Holiday to Saying Yes," "When You Mean No," "Brain Massage," "Commuter Stress" and more. Click here: www.stresstips.com/stress_tips_archive.htm

Three tips for releasing stress from your life:

• Tell yourself you are relaxed in mind and body.
• Create tranquillity (candles, soft music, comfortable clothes).
• Feel inner peace and calmness overcome you.

Other Stress-Free Activities:

Often stress can drain our energy. We need to fuel our minds with foods that are well-balanced with a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The combination gives bodies a "high grade" of fuel that burns longer and steadier.

Here are some good combo-high energy lunches and snacks for your child:

• 1/2 bagel with cream cheese and strawberries or 1/2 a banana
• soup with crackers
• peanut butter on apple slices or toast, crackers
• graham crackers, blueberries, and 1/2 cup vanilla pudding
• muffin with yogurt
• cheese with crackers
• pretzels with mustard and cheese
• carrots with yogurt dip
• sunflower seeds, yogurt, and fresh fruit combo

For other great stress tips:

Sign up for free stress tips @ www.gday-mate.com
Subscribe to free weekly stress tips.

Would you like to know what your stress level is? Your child's? Click here: www.stresstips.com/social_stresstest.htm
Later, visit the stress center: www.stresstips.com/stress_tips.htm.

Here's a great activity that may help you and your child realize the importance of reducing stress in the Tombstone Activity: www.stresstips.com/tombstone.html

Family stress reducers: Visit www.parentsplace.com
Another factor that is crucial during times of stress is family communication. Read the article, Family Communication in Times of Stress at www.mes.umn.edu/Documents/D/E/DE2465.html

To read more on a typical overbooked family, read the featured article from the Syracuse Newspaper. (Include later)

Remember, we all need time for relaxation. Whether you are 4 or 40, make time to be alone, build in down time. Discuss possible activities the family can do to help one another enjoy time alone and understand sometimes being along is good and acceptable.

Do you have a strategy that works really well in your home? Share your successful techniques with others by selecting Parent Talk.