"Five Minutes! We're leaving in FIVE minutes!" Are you? Really? In exactly 5 minutes, will the kids be out the door, in the car with their seat belts on? And will you?

Before a child can learn time management, the parent must. What's even better, a family can learn time management together.

To recognize that children have very little to no concept of time, try this game: Have your family close their eyes. Explain that you are going to watch the clock and ask them to clap when they believe one minute has passed. Next, look at a silent clock and announce when the minute begins. Wait for the clapping. Most likely, you'll be surprised at how quickly people clap. Finally, after that agonizing, actual minute, announce the minute is over. Faster? Slower? How long is a minute, really?

Now that we know that time is a difficult concept, how to enforce time management for a family? Begin teaching Time Management with easy strategies:

*Invest in a timer. A simple kitchen timer will do. Because children have no true concept of time, use of a timer will allow everyone to learn how much can actually be completed in the announced time. Timers are great around the house. Use one for clean up-as the kids race to clean up a room in five minutes, you'll notice they've never worked more thoroughly, and the room has never been cleaner. Be sure to use the timer responsibly . If you announce that everyone has 10 minutes to be out the door, set it, firmly for 10 minutes. Check the timer as time passes, announcing "5 minutes left," 2 and 1. When the timer dings, time is up. Everyone is expected to be out the door. It takes practice for the children (not to mention mom and dad) to stick to the time, but you'll get there.

*Set a plan ahead of time. Spontaneity is fantastically fun, but a well-managed family is a well-scheduled family. Make lunches for school before bed the night before, lay out clothing for the day, pack your diaper bag. All of this planning will only help you to get where you are going, and to instill valuable planning skills in your children.

*Use a private calendar. Find one that works for your family, preferably one that has space for all of your activities, but will also fit in your bag-so that it fits in your life. Allow your children to see you scheduling and negotiate activites with them, explaining how, as a group, you can best manage your time to commit to everything planned.

*Organize the Children. There's no easy way to teach a

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