TIME WARP (Continued from Page 23)
and the time context of parenting can be a source of stress.
Ways to find the right rhythm
If you’re frustrated with the pace of parenting, “Slow down long enough to see the mosaic of your life in its entirety,” says Christine Louise Hohlbaum. “Everyone has their individual tipping point, when too fast is too much, or when too slow is too slow.” You’ve got to find your own custom speed. To start, be mindful of what you already have. Multitasking puts you in a mental state of time starvation, says Hohlbaum. Savor a cup of coffee, tell knock-knock jokes with the kids, and kiss your partner for a full 60 seconds. Enjoying the here and now puts you in a mental state of time abundance and inspires gratitude.
Establish priorities and stick to them. As demands pop up, ask yourself, “Is this really important?” says Hohlbaum. When we’re pressed for time it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs and values. You have enough time to fulfill your deepest desires when you eliminate less-important tasks.
One day a week, ditch your to-do
list. Keep account of time spent rather than tasks accomplished, advises Billing. Note how much of your day was invested in cherished relationships, healthy habits and personal growth. An hour and a half spent baking cookies with your kids is more gratifying than completing errands to the post office, the bakery and the dry cleaner. Take a long-term view of productivity.
Heidi Smith Luedtke, Ph.D., is a personality psychologist and mom of two. Get psychology lessons for life at
heidiluedtke.com/blog
24 Hudson Valley Parent 2012 Baby Guide
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