Crossword Genius

How long Dad took to complete crosswords, for example (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pastime

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'crosswords for example' is the definition.
(I know that crossword is a type of word puzzle)

'how long dad took to complete' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'dad' could be 'pa' (both can mean one's father) and 'pa' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'stime' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pastime that I've seen before include "Leisure activity" , "doing the crossword, say" , "Leisure pursuit" , "Hobby - recreation" , "diversion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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