LITTLE ROCK - Parents trying to squeeze careers, chores and every day errands into 24 hours may find themselves squeezing out time spent with children, according to Melissa Potter, extension Guiding Children Successfully program technician for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Potter said a friend of hers put it all in perspective: "Time spent playing with your children is never lost."

When school starts, families feel even more pressed for time. There's the morning rush to get lunches together, clothing together, breakfast and then to school on time. In the afternoon, there's a rush to get to extra curricular activities, get dinner on the table and homework done.

"What she was meaning was that the fun times and memories with my child live forever in my child's memory," Potter said, with an eye to putting the phrase to work.

"I started setting less important things aside and spending some good quality time with my daughter," she said. "We try and spend a good portion of the morning outside swinging, sliding, and running around having fun.

Potter said it's easy to feel guilty about getting chores done knowing that your children are doing something else. She suggests turning the chores into games, where possible, that includes children.

For example, "I have found that if I include my daughter and make a game out of sorting clothes, or clearing the table we can create bonding time out of everyday activities," Potter said.

"When I leave for work I feel better knowing that I've spent time with her," Potter said. "I've found that we both have more productive and calmer days when we spend that time together."

Potter said children want to play with and be close with us and no matter what age the bonding occurs, "They will cherish the good times we create," she said.

For more information about children and families visit our website at www.arfamilies.org or contact your county extension agent.

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.