There are times when you will be under a deadline and kids are more hindrance than help. Though you obviously want to spend time with your little ones, you might just need to get rid of them for an afternoon! Here are some tips on how to do that:

• If you have obliging in-laws, send the kids over for a bit. This sometimes requires swallowing one´s pride, if you don´t really get along with the in-laws!

•  Set up some fast playdates. Offer to take the other kids when your schedule frees up.

• Hire a babysitter. You can work while she has the kids out in the backyard. Some babysitters will care for children in their house, too.

• If you find yourself in this position frequently, you might want to look into a local daycare. See if you can set up a pay-per-session deal, where you only pay when you choose to leave the kids there, which can be once a week or every day for several days.
• Get y0ur husband to take the children to the playground for the afternoon. Give them a picnic lunch and let him know he´s not to walk in the door again until a certain hour.

What do you do under deadlines to keep kids out from underfoot?