Nontraditional Families Time Cushions by Ron Huxley, LMFT Time management tool that parents can use when attempting to juggle too many responsibilities. A time cushion allows for more time than might actually be needed to accomplish an activity. Parents can allow a liberal amount of time both before and after picking up the kids from day care. This will allow them to greet their chidren in a less stressful mood and deal with any last-minute crisis at work or on the road to the day care.
Children pick up on their parents' frenzied feelings and often respond in kind.
Parents and children may complain, whine, or argue with one another, with both sides totally oblivious to why they are acting that way.