My son's private school requires families to put in at least 10 hours of volumnteer work a year at the school.

One of the ways I like to put in my time is to chaperone some of the fields trips the class goes on.

Dodging sink holes

This month's field trip was a four mile hike in the woods learning about sink holes.

Picture four adults and 30 fifth graders in the woods.

Unlimited mosquitoes.

Unseasonbly hot weather in November.

The biggest challenge was convincing the kids why they could not run down the slopes and get into the water in the sink hole.

Putting in the time

I heard some parents complaining today. I think they are nuts.

I had a blast because I was with my son and his friends.

Parents still believe that you can make up quantity time missed with a little quality time.

It's a lousy myth.

This is because kids spell love T-I-M-E. Plain and simple.

The phrase putting in the time can sound like a negative thing. To me it is a privilege.

The best reward came at the end of the hike. My son came up and asked me if just he and I could come back here some day and go hiking, just the two of us.

You got it, pal.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com