The term Multi-Tasking (or MT) is now out of date and obsolete. This term may be still used by those "wimpy executive types", however in the real world of moms, dads, Mr. Moms, single parents and guardians we now use a different term; "Micro Time Management" (or MTM). In years gone by, the term Multi-Tasking meant doing more than one job at the same time, but MTM is a term meaning doing more than one task in the same movement.

An example of the difference between MTM and MT are as follows. Instead of washing your child and feeding the dog at the same time, you will feed your child and then let the dog lick the kids face clean after your child has had his fill. This way you did three jobs all in one easy movement (The kid gets fed, the dog eats and you allocate responsibility to the dog to wash the kid) instead of only two measly distinct different jobs done in a slipshod way, you have performed three separate and unique jobs all in one movement.

MTM is a must, for us parental pioneers, since our time is of the utmost importance. We no longer have the luxury of any kind of free time and must take advantage where and when we can. Another example of MTM is what I like to call, "The contributing to the babies’ college fund, beer blast game." This game is best played after a very long day of MTM.

This is how the game is played: you take a bar glass and place it on the kitchen table, fill the glass with beer, place the child’s bank in the corner of the table and get a whole lot of quarters (as many as you can, in fact, look in the sofa and stuff) and place them in a pile next to the glass of beer.

Place the child at the other end of the table with one of the quarters and tell him that it is a great game for him and that he should try to pitch the quarter into the glass. When the child gets it into the glass, you drink the beer and throw that quarter into his bank for his college fund and repeat. It is a win, win game for you and the child. He gets more money for college and you get the enjoyment of seeing him enjoy himself. A little hint right here though; he may get tired of playing the game before you do, so you may have to entice him to play longer by bribing him with candy or something.

One other game that I would strongly advise you to play, when you get a chance, is the "Food Fight Quarter Mile Decathlon". This game is best played with other parents that you know. You get like minded parents together to meet at the mall at lunch time. First you sit down all participating parents and children in the food court. Designate one of the parents to buy the food for all the kids, while the rest of the parents try to keep the kids occupied. When the food arrives at the table you simply let the kids go wild! They eat and throw the food at their own discretion.

There is nothing like seeing the face of some uptight non-parent’s face when a big glob of pizza hits them in the back of the head. The kids get a real kick out of this kind of interaction with others and you will really enjoy listening to people, who have no clue about child rearing, critique your parenting skills.

There is so much to learn at the mall that it even amazed me. I have picked up some real good four letter words that I never knew existed. Now comes the decathlon part of the game. Once you have left the disaster area that used to be the food court, you sprint the little rug rats up and down the mall lanes while you and the kids try to dodge other mall pedestrians. It is quite the site to see 10 or 12 kids and parents, all of different ages, fumbling with sippy cups and diaper bags while trying to dodge people coming the other way. Another little hint; try to go down the left side of the mall, it makes the game more exciting.

The glee that you will feel when witnessing one of the pint sized participants ripping out mall plants cannot be explained and must be seen first hand to be truly appreciated. To make the game even more intriguing, enter one of the stores that don’t cater to children. You know the ones I am talking about. If you’re not sure if it is the right store, try a couple of different stores until you find the one where the manager seems to be preoccupied with the structural integrity of the ceiling upon the arrival of your team. When you find him or her, you will know you have the correct store. Once you have entered the store start your stop watches and time how long you can possibly stay in the store before they throw you out. Remember there is a bonus if someone darning a uniform informs you that your presence in this store is no longer desired. Well, there you have it, Micro Time Management at its best. I hope you enjoy MTM as much as I have.