eval {
	local $SIG{ALRM} = sub { die "child process took too long to complete" };
	alarm 10;
# do whatever your little heart desires, hope it's fast enough
	alarm 0;	# whew, just made it
};
if ($@ && $@ !~ /alarm clock restart/) { # abort the child process gracefully 
} else {
	# send the parent the information ?
}