Eugenia, Taking care of life responsibilities is necessary. We have to balance our work and lives. Making sure students know when we will be responding, is key. Putting this information in the syllabus and reiterating it in the announcements or something like that helps. A 24 or 48 hour response is appropriate. Just make sure the students/administrators know and stick to it. I tell students I answers the FAQ discussion board (because I tell them not to email me, but to list it on the FAQ DB for all to benefit) within 24 hours if posted Sunday - Thursday. Therefore, if they post a question Thursday, I can respond Friday, but if they post Friday, they MAY not get a response until Monday. I communicate this very well and this is understood by students and my administration. I also make all of my assignments due Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Because making assignments due Sunday at midnight (like many new online instructors do), then you MUST be online Friday and Saturday and all day Sunday. See what I mean? Hope this is helpful.