Think you might get laid off? 
Here’s what to do!

Companies are always looking for ways to cut costs. That, in conjunction with a tough economy, forces some companies to cut back, downsize and eliminate unneeded positions. Although no one wants to fall victim during difficult times, the reality is that some companies are struggling and people are getting laid off. Rather than crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, come up with a game plan. Think about ways to make yourself less vulnerable, and determine an action plan in the event of a job loss.

Knowledge is power

Be aware of what’s going on around you. If you start noticing changes in your office (tightening budget, hiring freeze or layoffs) or see major changes occurring within your field, make sure you have a backup plan. Look into severance packages that are typically given in your industry to see what the options are. If you find yourself faced with a layoff, you will know what to expect and how to negotiate.

Create a financial cushion

Find ways you can cut back on everyday spending and eliminate unnecessary spending. By setting some money aside, it will decrease financial distress in the case of a job loss. You may even consider cutting back on your retirement contribution temporarily. While a withdrawal from your retirement account will result in penalty fees and taxes, cutting back on your contribution for a short time may give you the extra cash you need for the time being.

Stay on top of your game

Despite the tension that may be present around you in the office, remain productive and prove that you’re indispensable. Employees willing to go the extra mile to get the job done are less likely to be laid off. If there are extra projects to work on, volunteer to take the lead.

Make yourself marketable

If you have the time and money, you may want to consider taking a couple of classes. Additional training can only help you become more marketable when searching for a new job.

Update your resumé and put out feelers

Always keep your resumé updated. Then, if you’re faced with layoffs, at least you will have a head start on your job search. Keep your ears open for other opportunities that may be available. Also, tell your friends and family members that you’re looking. Family, friends, and friends of friends are your best allies. If people are aware, they can keep an eye out for you as well.

Maintain a good attitude

If you are faced with a layoff, be sure to maintain good relationships with your former co-workers and boss. Despite the hard feelings, remain calm and put your emotions aside. When looking for a new job, you’re going to need a good reference.

What have you done to protect yourself from the repercussions of our economy?

Shoo the flu bug away this winter with these stay-healthy tips!

This cold and flu season has been notable because of the recurrence of the H1N1 virus that first surfaced in early 2009. Fears of a flu pandemic on the level of The Spanish Flu in 1918 have lessened (a few thousand have lost their lives due to H1N1 compared to millions in 1918), but we’re only halfway through the season, so we’re not out of the woods yet.

While H1N1 hasn’t infected as many people as some feared, it is still a real threat to those most likely to succumb to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the following groups of people should receive H1N1 immunity shots:

• Pregnant women
• People living with or caring for children younger than 6 months old
• Healthcare and EMS personnel
• People between 6 months and 24 years old
• People 25 to 64 who are at higher risk due to chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems

Individuals older than 65 accounted for just 1% of early estimates of those who contracted the virus, leading to the belief that the older population has an immunity to the virus either through an early exposure to a similar virus or years of immunity shots.

Aside from receiving a shot, here are the best ways to stay healthy during the homestretch of this year’s flu season.

Wash your hands. The CDC says this is the most important procedure for preventing the spread of the virus. Our hands are the most likely vessel for the virus to move into (or out of) our bodies.  Keeping them clean, either through hand washing or sanitizers, greatly reduces the risk of infection. This is also why it’s suggested that people sneeze into their sleeves and not their hands.

Eat well and get rest. Your immune system is your best defense against the flu virus, and it needs a healthy diet and proper rest to function properly. A diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats and a night’s sleep of 7-8 hours will help your system function at its optimum level.  

Exercise. Cardiovascular activity helps produce the body’s natural virus-killing cells. Regular exercise will boost your immune system, and if one does contract the H1N1 virus, it may reduce the severity of the symptoms and length of illness.

How are you protecting yourself from the flu?

In a cash crunch?
How to earn some extra money.

Almost everybody needs a quick source of cash from time to time. Whether you just need to pay monthly bills or cover some unforeseen expense, it’s always good to have an extra source or two to fall back on. The following ideas are some general examples of how to do just that.

Get a part-time job

A part-time job can be anything from stocking shelves to house sitting on the weekend. There are literally hundreds of ways to make quick money by doing odd jobs part time. You just have to take the time to find something that fits your schedule and interests.

Hold a garage sale
Simply by posting fliers at coffee shops and laundromats, and making legible signs that can be seen from busy streets in your area, you can easily increase the cash that your sale generates. And that’s not the only benefit from having a garage sale—you’ll also have a much cleaner house!

Sell on Craig’s List or eBay®
Old books, CDs, records, clothing, odds and ends—people buy all kinds of things. Even when you’re just selling small items, the money adds up. But you must remember to make sure that the buyer—not you—pays the cost of shipping.

Dog walk and pet sit
Pet owners will always be looking for reliable care services. Just get the word out to local pounds, veterinarian's offices and doggy parks. Also be prepared to provide references.

Sell homegrown fruits and vegetables
You don't have to be a professional farmer to produce delicious, organic produce. Just present your product in an appealing way—with plastic or cardboard produce containers (salvaged from a grocery store) and computer-printed labels with a logo or theme. If you give your product appeal, you’ll be able to succeed.

Get paid to take surveys

Online, there are several sites that pay participants to take surveys. Just remember not to be fooled into paying a membership fee for access to take them!

Have your car wrapped
If you spend a lot of time on the road in metropolitan areas, consider transforming your car into a rolling billboard. Both big and small companies are willing to pay to have your car “wrapped” with their logos and advertisements. Here you can make quite a few extra bucks for allowing a business to paint their message on your car.

Use these ideas for quick ways to generate cash. It always pays to have alternative methods of generating revenue when you need it the most!

What suggestions do you have to make an extra buck?

How to encourage family fitness

Over the past 30 years the amount of overweight children aged 6 to 11 in the United States has more than doubled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. Being obese increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, some cancers and so many other diseases. Parents can lower these risks by taking an active role in their children’s health and making a few simple changes.

Food choice plays one of the biggest roles in a child’s health. It’s hard to drive down the street and ignore the countless number of fast food restaurants. For parents that are always on the go, it’s easier to grab a burger instead of fruit, tacos instead of a salad or french fries instead of vegetables. Many of today’s fast food restaurants don’t always offer healthy alternatives that kids are interested in. But it’s not up to restaurants to feed our children, it’s up to us. Eliminating junk food is a quick way to get your children’s health back on track. Kids are always hungry and will pretty much eat whatever is around. Substitute popcorn for chips, peanut butter for hot dogs and fig newtons for cupcakes. By making simple changes when they are younger, kids will pick up at an early age the benefits of eating healthy. By the time they are teenagers they will eat healthier foods on their own and will be on track to maintaining a long, healthy life.

Not only does junk food endanger children’s health, but technology makes it difficult to get kids outside and active. Cable TV ensures that kids will always find “something” to watch. The Internet provides hours upon hours of entertainment in chat rooms, and on social Web sites and fan sites about their favorite teen idols. Then there are video games, those magical boxes that instantly turn kids into zombies, allowing them to plop in front of the TV for hours. Everything is ok in moderation, so they should be limited to how much time they spend doing these activities. Having “blackout” times for their electronic devices makes them get out, stretch, move around and get some much-needed exercise. Limiting these items will help kids appreciate the time when they get to use them, but they’ll also gain more appreciation for the new activities they find that don’t require a remote control or keyboard.

The best thing you can do to help your children live a healthier life is to encourage exercise. Exercise should never be seen as a punishment or a chore. Parents who push their kids into boring routines or punish them with running laps turn kids off to exercise and working out. Encouraging organized sports activities is a great way to make exercising fun. It will get them involved with children their own age, so it’s also a great way to build their social skills and build self-confidence. Turning exercise into a family activity is a terrific way to encourage children to be more active, too. Going swimming or hiking on the weekend or while on vacation can be a fun way to show your kids that fitness is important to you as well. Not only will it get your children out and active, but it’s a great way to spend quality time with everyone and bring you closer together as a family.

Now more than ever childhood obesity is a cause for concern. It causes numerous health problems as well as self-esteem issues. By providing healthy food alternatives, limiting non-active hobbies and becoming more active as a family, you can regain control over your children’s health. You also show them how much you love them by providing the building blocks they need to live a long and healthy life.

How do you encourage your family to make healthy choices?

Where can I get a FREE credit report?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, www.annualcreditreport.com is the only authorized source for free annual credit reports under federal law. Through the Fair Credit Reporting Act you are guaranteed a free credit report from three nationwide agencies every twelve months. These three agencies are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Don’t be fooled by catchy jingles – many consumers have complained to the FTC about companies who promise free credit reports but charge the consumers hidden fees or sign the consumers up for unwanted services.

To request a free credit report, you can visit www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also call 1-877-322-8228 or mail a request to the address listed on their Web site.  You can choose to receive all three credit reports at once, or you may choose to request only one at a time to monitor your credit throughout the year.

The FTC suggests you request a credit report at least once a year. This way you can catch errors or unauthorized activities posted to your credit report. Knowing your credit score can help when you apply for credit, insurance, a job, or a rental home. If you find an error, you should contact the agency your credit report came from. If there is unauthorized activity, you should report that to the same agency so a fraud alert can be placed on your credit report. Other ways to protect your credit report can be found on the FTC’s Web site, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft. 

Happy New Year, Pen Pal readers! To kick off this new year at the Pen Pal, we are excited to introduce a new section. This new section, called It’s FREE!, is dedicated to all things free! We feel this will be one of our most beneficial sections to you. We know that, due to the state of the economy, many of us are struggling and looking for ways to save a little money. So to help us all out, each month this section will feature something that’s free…a free item, a free class, free financial advice, and more! We’ll be busy scrounging the Internet looking for a great deal for you each month!

This month our FREE feature is Free Credit Reports. You’ve seen the commercials with that catchy little jingle, but how do you go about getting a credit report that’s truly “no strings attached?” Why should you do this and how often? Are the commercials legitimate?  

So take a moment and drop in on our new section. We hope you find the information helpful! Happy reading!

Christy Wolf

Editor

Should you buy a Blackberry?

Technology is changing more and more every day, and the cell phone industry is no exception. Nowadays a cell phone is more than just something you use to make phone calls. Today’s cell phones are multipurpose tools that help you stay connected to the world around you. One of the most popular devices is a Blackberry. But is a Blackberry right for you?  

A Blackberry allows you to make calls and send text messages just like other phones. But a Blackberry is much more than your standard cell phone; this is why they are often called “Personal Digital Assistants” (PDA) or “Smartphones.” This singular device is your gateway to keeping track of all your day-to-day items. The major draw for many workplaces is the feature of “push e-mail.” What this means is that the moment your e-mail account receives a message it is also immediately sent to your phone, keeping you in the loop and ready to answer any questions. Unlike most phones, where you have to log in and wait for a connection to get your e-mail, a Blackberry is “always on” when it comes to e-mail, so there’s no waiting.

Blackberry phones started out as e-mail clients that allowed users to stay on top of their business. However, like other mobile devices, they are evolving with the times. The integrated address book and to-do list keep your personal agenda and contacts right in the palm of your hand. Most Blackberry devices today also have cameras in them and can even play your favorite music. In an effort to become the ultimate all-in-one device for the person on the go, many feature web browsing capabilities as well as navigation programs so you can always find what you are looking for the moment you need it.

The standard Blackberry design features a large screen with a trackball for menu navigation as well as a full QWERTY keyboard just. There are flip-phone Blackberry devices that are smaller and feature a typing method similar to “T9Word.” More recently, Blackberry released a new model with a touchscreen. No matter what your preference, there’s a Blackberry for everyone.

With all of these wonderful features and options, it’s no wonder many businesses either require employees to get a Blackberry or provide them with one. If you’re looking to always stay connected while on the go, a Blackberry may be just the thing you’re looking for.

Can you say “no” and still work your way to the top? 

Let’s face it—most of us are on the receiving end of workplace assignments. And, the reality is that we almost always end up accepting them. But you really should make an effort to say “no” some of the time even though your inner voice is telling you accepting would be the right thing to do for your career. When it comes to the quality of your work and your sanity, the right thing to do is make sure you don't over-extend yourself and end up performing a large number of tasks with mediocre or disastrous results.

How do you determine what projects to commit to and what’s right to pass on? This decision should depend on your actual workplace duties; you should weigh each request against your workload and decide whether agreeing to them would move you closer or further away from completion of your other assignments.

When you arrive at a juncture where you must refuse a request, there are several ways to say no without bruising feelings, appearing inconsiderate or sabotaging your career. By saying no in the proper way, you’ll be able to proceed with no guilt on your conscience.

When you do say “no” it may require some diplomatic phrasing. Here are some examples:

“I’d like to help out with this, but it’s not really my area of expertise.”

“Sure thing! But I’ll need to have some extra time to learn how to complete your request. Is this what you’d like for me to do?”

“I’m really flattered that you’re asking, but I have to be candid—I’m probably not the best choice for this particular project.”

“Can I research this a bit before I give you an answer? I’d be uncomfortable taking this on unless I was sure that I could learn enough about it to complete everything properly.”

“My plate is full right now, but in order for me to complete this project, I’d be happy to shuffle some things around to learn more about it. But I’ll need some help in deciding how to prioritize everything.”

If a project already falls within the realm of your job description, completing the work is just a matter of finding time. But if you’re assigned work that’s not something you were hired to do, it’s an opportunity to discuss why it benefits the organization and whether you’re the best person for the project. That’s a sure sign of true commitment to success for your organization over your own professional ego.

Spreading yourself too thin can be a difficult habit to break, but it’s an essential step in getting out of your own way so you can accomplish your career goals and successfully climb the corporate ladder.

Do you feel like you can say no in your job?

How to set up a company wellness program 

Many companies have started a wellness program which offers their employees various health services to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Since employees perform better when they are well physically and mentally, a wellness program can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve performance. Here are some suggestions on how to get started with a wellness program in your office:

Wellness Newsletter

A wellness newsletter can offer articles and tips promoting healthy living. The newsletter can include everything from ways to stay active to how to avoid the flu bug. To add interest, try adding fun, entertaining articles as well. Solicit reader feedback, and as you learn more about what your employees want to see, you can tailor it to their liking.

Stay Active

Send out e-mails or post signs encouraging people to participate in a variety of activities. Try offering activities that will appeal to a majority of employees and that everyone will have the opportunity to participate in if they choose. For example, if your company has a walking path, set up a group to go walking during part of their lunch hour. For smaller offices that require employees to take staggered lunches, create two groups. Check for local benefit walks in your area and see if you can get a group together to participate. Talk to a local gym in your area and see if they have free day passes or if you can get a corporate discount rate for your employees. Encourage employees to use the stairs rather than take the elevator. If most employees from your office sit at a desk during the day, provide a list of desk exercises they can do. See if you can offer employee incentives for participating.  For example, you might allow people who walk or bike to work to arrive 15 minutes late and leave 15 minutes early.

Germ-Free Tips

Especially during the flu season, post tips reminding employees how to stay well. Provide disinfecting products for people to use around the office and keep hand sanitizer in convenient locations. The more these products are readily available, the more likely they are to be used.

On-Site Health Screenings

Make it easy for everyone to get screened. By offering convenient on-site health screenings, people are able to check the status of their health without having to take time off work.

Seminars

Invite speakers to come in and discuss different health topics (e.g. how to quit smoking or ways to adopt a healthy lifestyle). You may even be able to have a special guest come in and teach your employees how to prepare quick, healthy meals. Or, set up a time for Weight Watchers to give employees an introduction to the program.

Health-Related Handouts

Set up a table in a central location of your office that allows your employees to get more information regarding common health-related issues. Include topics such as allergies, cancer prevention, nutrition, arthritis, stress management, asthma, obesity, etc.

In order for a wellness program to be successful, you need to appeal to your employees. Send out a questionnaire and use the feedback to determine which activities or strategies would be successful. Once you start the program, be sure to get feedback and make adjustments as needed.

Does your company take an active interest in your well-being? What do they do?

Are there legitimate coupon sites out there?  

Whether you want to save a few dollars or cut your weekly budget in half, coupons can help you keep extra dollars in your wallet, and finding coupons online is easy!

If a store has a Web site, there’s a good chance the store has a coupon at CouponCabin.com. Before you buy something online at Target, The Home Depot, drugstore.com, or many other stores, check CouponCabin.com for a coupon. You simply click on the link for your store of choice, and you’ll receive a discount code. You then shop the store online, and at checkout use the discount code provided from CouponCabin.com.

BeFrugal.com is a great resource for coupons for online purchases or printable coupons you can take to the store with you.  Like CouponCabin.com, online stores like Amazon.com, Borders, or Kohl’s have coupons at BeFrugal.com. You can also review your grocery list before you head to the store and print the coupons you’ll need for brand name groceries.

There are many stores that carry coupons specific to their stores, too. For example, you can print coupons on the Web sites for Jewel Osco, Walgreens, CVS, and Petco. Meijer’s Web site is Meijermealbox.com, and you can use the site to plan meals as well. Check a store’s Web site before you go to the store – chances are you’ll find coupons or other offers that can be used in the store or online.

Occasionally store or coupon Web sites will ask for an e-mail address to send other coupons or offers to you. You might want to create a separate e-mail account for these coupons and offers. This way, you can keep all of the offers together, and you can avoid filling your email inbox to the maximum. You can create an e-mail address for free at mail.com.

With a little bit of effort, you can find a lot of coupons to save you a lot of money!

Do you know of any other helpful coupon sites?

Rise and Shine: Getting Enough Sleep

Are you and your family getting enough sleep?

When it is time to get up in the morning, do you hit the snooze button to get another 5 or 10 minutes of sleep? Do other family members need repeated prodding to get out of bed? Do the adults in your family rely on coffee, cola, or other forms of caffeine throughout the day to stay alert?

Studies show that sleep deprivation is rampant, and we are getting less sleep than previous generations.¹ Kids are getting much less sleep than is recommended.² Most of us are getting up at about the same time in the mornings as adults and children always have—it’s that everyone is going to sleep later. Some blame too many scheduled activities, too much stimulation and too much caffeine. Others blame our “24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week” lifestyle, which makes it possible to do almost anything at any hour, including watching TV, shopping, catching up on work, and emailing friends.

There was a time, of course, when our activities were limited by light. Now we have light whenever we want it and can take our work and distractions with us wherever we go, thanks to cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices. The price for all this wonderful flexibility seems to be sleep, and we are, as it turns out, paying dearly.

¹ “Americans today get less sleep and feel worse, study shows.”

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n20_v90/ai_18743102

² “Kids 5 and Under Sleep Less than Recommended Amount of Time, USA.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/34388.php

To read more, get a FREE copy of our book, “The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults),” by Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. and Brandel France de Bravo, M.P.H. Please visit our Free Gifts page at (web address) to redeem this offer.

About the authors

Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. is the President of the National Research Center for Women & Families, a research and education charity that provides free health and safety information and works to improve policies and programs that improve the health of women, children and families. Brandel France de Bravo is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Research Center for Women & Families. For useful information about health issues that affect your family and for more information about the National Research Center for Women & Families, visit http://www.center4research.org/

How to organize a holiday work party on a small budget 

Budgets are tight and everyone is stressed. So what better way to reward employees after a year of hard work than a party? Even if your business traditionally has extravagant holiday parties, most employees will understand the need to cut back this year. And with a little creativity everyone can have fun for a lot less.

The guest list

This is probably the easiest to manage on a small budget. Simply limit the guests to just employees. If your budget allows employees to bring a guest, limit them to just one but don't limit them to only spouses. Single employees or those in a relationship will feel alienated.

The time

Probably the best time to have a holiday party is during the work day. Not only is having the party on work time a treat but a party in the middle of the day will save you money. Not only is a luncheon cheaper than a dinner, but you'll save on drinks, too! If you choose to have the party after work, limit the drink selection to wine and beer for a smaller bar tab.

The venue

Selecting the right venue will also help you cut back on unnecessary spending. Instead of a banquet hall consider the party room at a local restaurant. If you need to spend less than that, consider transforming a large conference room in your building into a party room with music, strands of lights, holly, and poinsettias. Just make sure the party space is away from workstations.

The food

If you choose a restaurant, decide on the menu ahead of time. For large groups, it's better if the menu is limited to inexpensive items like pasta and chicken. If you choose to stay in the office, have the main course catered in and encourage employees to bring appetizers or desserts. Or in both cases, cut out the main course altogether and only serve hors d'oeuvres. Don't forget to provide vegetarian options!

The entertainment

Entertainment can be simple and in most cases, FREE! Get a feel for what people would be interested in doing. As long as everyone can participate it can be as easy or as complex as you want from playing holiday music to a Wii bowling tournament.

What will your company holiday party be like this year?

Happy holidays, Pen Pal readers! It’s December which means the holiday countdown is on! Have you finished your shopping? Are your holiday meal menus prepared? Is your house cleaned and ready for guests? No? That’s ok, you’re not Martha Stewart!

December is the busiest month of the year for most of us. Our schedules are packed with parties, baking, decorating, working, and family time. It’s no wonder New Year’s Eve falls at the end of the month. We can all use a glass of champagne by then!

I’ve put together a list of some tips you might find helpful this time of year.

ü       Take a mid-week day off from work to do your holiday shopping. Fewer people in stores means you can get more done in less time.

ü       Sell your clothes to a resale shop and use that money to buy gifts.

ü       Don’t be tempted to buy new wrapping paper. If you’re like me, you have at least four rolls in your basement that you can use up first. Sure, new is fun and trendy, but not necessary. And if it’s old enough, it just may be trendy again!

ü       Bake some of your holiday meals ahead of time and freeze them.

ü       Say yes when someone offers to bring a dish to your holiday get-together. Why not let your niece make cookies for dessert or your sister bring the salad this year?

With so many preparations going into the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of what it’s all really about—enjoying the season and creating wonderful memories with your loved ones. Cheers!

Christy Wolf

Editor

P.S. Be sure to check out our News You Can Use article this month: How to organize a holiday work party on a small budget.

What questions should YOU ask during an interview? 

A job interview shouldn't be an examination of the applicant, it should be a conversation. Sure, the objective of an interview is to make a business to think that you'll be a perfect fit for their company—but are they a perfect fit for you?

Often it's encouraged, and sometimes expected, for the applicant to ask the interviewer questions. Having the right questions prepared will help you stand out from the other applicants. Be sure to think of at least three questions to ask the interviewer and bring a notepad so you can jot down questions you may have during the course of the interview.

Consider asking the following questions during your next interview:

How would you describe a typical work day?
Get an idea of your daily work requirements and what you can expect to do every day.

How would you describe an ideal employee?
This question will tell you their expectations and give you insight on how you should behave.

What is the culture of the company?
Is this company professional or casual? Is it a suit and tie kind of company or does everyone wear jeans?

What happened to the last person in this position?
Whether they quit, were fired, promoted or demoted, each answer could give you a clue about what to expect in the future.

What are your expectations for this position during the first year?
Get your goals up front so you can work towards them from the very first day.

May I call if I have any other questions?
Interviewing is stressful and you might remember things you wanted to ask once you're more relaxed. This question will also let them know that you're interested in the job.

Are there opportunities for further education or training?
Show them you're willing to grow and adapt as the business changes over time.

Where do you see this company in the next five years?
This type of question is often asked by the interviewer to the applicant and you should ask it, too. Knowing their plans for the future will help you decide if you and the company will still be compatible in five years. It also shows that you plan on long-term employment.

If all of your prepared questions are answered, go back and ask for more details on points that you are particularly interested in. Avoid obvious questions—ones that could easily be found on their Web site. Show that you're interested in how you and the company can grow and be successful together instead of how the company can benefit you.

Do you have any helpful questions to add?

How do you fit in family downtime? 

It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day activities. Getting ahead in your professional life and balancing your family’s schedules means that family downtime gets put to the side far too often. Here are a few ways that you can adjust your life and reconnect with your family for some much needed downtime.

Sometimes finding the time to get everyone together can be the most daunting task. Between soccer practice, school recitals, your job, and other obligations, it is difficult to sit and spend time with your family. Pick a date and stick to it. Whether it is later in the week or later in the month, the important thing is that you find a date where the whole family can come together. Don’t let last-minute plans creep in either. That means you may have to say “no” to friends and other family members or even to your children when they want to go to a last-minute birthday party. Make your family the top priority and show your family how important it is that you all spend time together.

Planning ahead is extremely important. Have a few options of what you want to do and let the family decide. Plan a picnic at the park, go to the zoo, or take the family to a ballgame. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, plan a board game night or watch a movie as a family and talk about your favorite parts when the film is over. The most important thing is to remember you’re trying to spend quality time with your family and it’s not necessarily what you are doing but the fact that you are all together.

If your weekends are already jam packed with events, turn dinnertime into the most important time of the day. Turn off the TV, turn off the phone and turn to each other for entertainment. Ask your children how their day was and let them talk. Listen to them and let every member at the table be involved. A strong, open relationship with your children means that they will be more comfortable coming to you when they are having problems at school, in their relationships, or with any other problems while growing up.

Family downtime can be accomplished if you put in a little effort. Bringing everyone together will help reestablish closeness within your family. By putting family first and doing a little bit of planning you can turn something that seems like a chore into a wonderful new family tradition.

How do you fit in family downtime?