Posted on: Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Set aside time for fun with family
Associated Press
Feeling guilty takes up time — something working mothers don't have.
Advertiser library photo One of their suggestions is to stop thinking about all the things you could do with your kids and start doing them instead.
They encourage every mom to crank up the "fun factor" and to spend more recreational time with their families. To get that recreational time, though, mothers have to stop overbooking their schedules — both at home and work — and they have to decide what activities they and their children truly enjoy, say Ladd and Jarrell.
The authors cite a study that researched 14,000 families during the past 20 years and found people regularly overcommitted themselves to things they didn't even like doing.
Activities don't have to be overly complicated or expensive, either.
Here are some ideas from Ladd and Jarrell of things to keep in the house to create an atmosphere of fun:
In the new book "The Frazzled Factor: Relief for Working Moms" (W Publishing Group), Karol Ladd and Jane Jarrell offer seven steps "from guilt to grace."
Things like board games, joke and riddle books, and craft supplies can help bring out the fun factor in your home.
