Bradley Hospital Parenting Guide:
Healthful Leisure
Adding Leisure Time Can Be Difficult
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If you and your family are not in the habit of spending time together
for fun, don't try to change overnight. Start with easy things.
Parents, you can start first:
Let your children see that leisure is important to you. Do something
for yourself.
- Take a nap if you're tired.
- If it's a nice day, go outside instead of doing a chore in the
house.
- Say "no" to outside commitments once in a while.
- Read a book.
Take a look at how you handle time conflicts:
- Do you always do what others expect of you, even if it deprives
you of time you need for yourself and your family?
- Are there shortcuts you could find to things you do? Can weekly
chores be done every other week?
- Can you find anyone with whom you can share your responsibilities?
If you both need some freedom, take turns covering for each other.
- Do you over-plan family activities, putting more stress on yourself?
Do you insist on a spotless house before you ask friends over?
Does it really matter?
- Do you manage your time at work so that you don't have to bring
work home with you?
Once you make the commitment, encourage other family members
to do the same:
- If you want family members to be interested in doing things
together, then everyone's ideas should be included.
- Involving children in the planning gives you an opportunity
to communicate with them. You can learn about your children's
feelings, fears and frustrations in the process.
- Use the discussion to get to know your child better and to reinforce
the value of his or her ideas. By gradually teaching how to make
good decisions and then allowing your child to make them, you
prepare your child for adulthood.
Focus on things you can do 
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