| A couple years ago, my daughter told me I
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| | favorite CD. Do that a couple of times
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| wasn't a "fun mom." Granted, the comment
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| | throughout the day. And stay true to your
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| came when I was busy with something and
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| | word - when you hear that "ding," drop
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| it wasn't possible for me to drop what I
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| | what you're doing. Let him know he's the
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| was doing and play with her. But I'll
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| | priority.
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| admit, the comment still stung.
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| | 3. Make lunch time a fun time. Use the
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| Of course, because I work at home, there
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| | hour to involve your child in making
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| will certainly be times when I have to
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| | sandwiches and setting the table. Leave
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| say no. There is work that needs to be
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| | the paperwork in the office and focus on
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| done and my kids need to learn that the
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| | your child. Ask her questions about
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| world doesn't completely revolve around
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| | things she enjoys - like what she's named
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| them. But, are there times when I am so
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| | her latest WebKinz or what happened on
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| consumed with my work that "no" becomes
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| | her favorite television show this
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| an automatic response to my kids' pleas
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| | morning.
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| to play? Do I need to lighten up? Have I
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| | 4. Put him to work! We're not talking
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| forgotten how to become a fun mom?
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| | child labor, here. But, if possible,
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| As any work-at-home mom knows, balancing
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| | involve your child in your work. Of
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| work and motherhood is not easy! But, at
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| | course, the work needs to be
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| the end of the day, would I rather say I
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| | age-appropriate. A three-year old can put
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| got each of the twelve things done on my
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| | paper in the recycling bin. A five year
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| to-do list? Or that I took some time to
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| | old is able to stamp envelopes. A ten
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| pay attention to the needs of my child?
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| | year old can do some filing. You may get
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| Here are five ways you can get your work
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| | more work done this way, or less, but
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| done and still be considered a "fun mom."
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| | involving your child will be priceless.
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| 1. Take a Time Out. When your child is
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| | 5. LAUGH! Take a moment to tell your
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| pleading with you to play with her, take
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| | daughter a silly joke. Relive a funny
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| a moment to consider whether she may be
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| | moment from the past. Have a five minute
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| desperate for time with you. A child can
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| | "tickling spree." If hearing your child's
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| only go so long without some quality time
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| | laughter doesn't get you started, nothing
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| with her mom. Take a half an hour break
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| | will. Besides the "fun" factor, laughing
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| to spend playing a game, drawing a
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| | reduces stress and ups the immune system
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| picture, or taking a walk around the
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| | - an added benefit for you both!
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| block.
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| | Working at home and being a fun mom can
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| 2. Set the timer. Tell your child you
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| | go hand-in-hand. It's all about balance.
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| will set the timer for one hour. When the
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| | But when you find the scale tipping a
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| timer goes off, it will be time to play.
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| | little too far on the work side, your
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| You will then set the timer for twenty
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| | child may just remind you that it's time
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| minutes and play whatever it is he wants
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| | to step away for a moment or two. And
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| to play, whether it's matchbox cars, a
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| | don't forget to grab that FUN hat on your
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| board game, or silly dancing to a
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| | way out of the office door.
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