Mala is a busy mother of 8-year-old twins. Despite her work schedule, she tries to be available for her family whenever they need her. She's up and in the kitchen by 5:00 am, preparing lunch for the family. She then gets them all to the breakfast table by 7:00 am. By 7:45 am, the family is in the car with packed lunches ready to face the day ahead. Mala's husband drops her off at her office, then drops the kids off at school on his way to work.

Nowadays it is increasingly common for both parents to work. We remember as children most of us spent adequate time with parents or grand parents. Here's how you can ensure your children don't lose out on this time with family.

Help from hubby

If you and your husband both work, it is only fair that he help out at home as well - and this means more than just picking up and dropping the children from their various activities. If you cook, let him clean, if you put the clothes for a wash, he can remove them from the machine. Let him iron his share of clothes. This will leave you with more free time to spend with the children. It is also healthy for your children to watch both parents helping out at home. Involve the children in work around the house. If your husband would rather not do anything at home, don't take all the responsibility. Get household help. But if you are a stay-at-home mom or work part-time, be prepared to shoulder the bulk of household work.

Morning time

Morning times are rushed in most households. Try to have breakfast together as a family, even if it means waking up much earlier. Join your children in their bedrooms for breakfast in bed, where you can spend some time cuddling with them before waking them up with a cup of tea or milk. They will wake up more easily too.

Lunch time

If you are a working mother, try and organise someone to cook for the family, instead of cooking all the meals. Alternatively, find out if you can organise someone to send a 'tiffin' over to your husband's office or child's school. Do your research to ensure the meal is healthy and without much oil. This way you can still cook on weekends and cook dinners if you enjoy cooking. At least lunch is taken care of and mornings will leave you with more time to spend with your family or to rest.

Dinner time

Each member of your family may return home at a different time and may need to unwind at his or her own pace, but do make it a point to have dinner together. Don't serve the family. Instead, let everyone help themselves so you can then sit down to eat together.

Prayer time

If you are a believer, spend five minutes a day to thank God for all he has done. This will go a long way in bringing peace and harmony in your home, and instilling right values in your children.

Holiday time

Plan holidays well. Decide well in advance what you will be doing over the weekend. If you have a plan, you can spend the weekend well. If you don't have a plan, everyone will probably just do his or her own thing.

Time is something we can never have enough of, so spend it wisely. Nothing compares to the strength you derive from the feeling being part of a warm, loving family.