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Posts Tagged ‘working mom’

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Trusting HER Instincts: What Moms Will and Won’t Do For Their Kids

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

By Guest Blogger Holly Pavliscsak

As a working mother, negotiating the school scene is a tricky proposition. There is the mom at every school, yah, you know HER, she’s the mom that’s always there like it’s her full time job to be there. Every year, I watch HER kids get the “prime” teacher.   You know the teacher I’m talking about… the nice teacher, the engaged teacher, the one that the kids and parents just all love.  That “prime” teacher also gets the “prime” students of course!  This teacher’s classroom seems to have few discipline problems and everyone generally gets along, kids learn, test scores soar and all is right with the world!

My stay-at-home mom friends diligently go up to the school and volunteer regularly.  The school administrators know them and they are well liked by the teachers.  They are in every sense involved and that is great for them.  For their commitment and free work, they are often rewarded by getting the “prime” teacher in the grade level for their children’s teacher.

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Posted in Kids, Motherhood | 17 Comments »

Being A MOMpreneur Is Big Business

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

So it’s 2011. Maybe your kids are all in school now, and maybe you’ve decided that this is the year you’re going to get creative – in every sense of the word. Maybe you’ve decided that you’re going to get off the fence and contribute to society. That you’re going to contribute to your household income. That you’re going to leave your high stress job in search of flexibility and balance. Maybe you need to work for financial reasons, maybe you don’t. But one thing is for certain… MomPreneurship is big business.

What is a mompreneur you may ask? (more…)

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Posted in Career, Kids, Motherhood | 39 Comments »

When Mommy’s A Mess

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Do you ever feel, that as the centrifugal force of the house, that mommy’s mood sets the tone for the the whole family? This Blog post came to me a couple of weeks ago, when my girlfriend said, “Can you Blog about how when we are not good, the rest of our family never feels good? And how we can pull ourselves out of these slumps?”

So really, what happens if mom’s not happy?

Now, if you have a family of 4 plus people, chances are there are constantly multiple things going on at once… different opinions, different ideas and different hormones levels too!  And chances are again, these many factors vary throughout your week. For example, sometimes my household is happy, and we’re grooving to Kool & The Gang and (shhhh) Justin Bieber in the kitchen, and other times mommy’s ranting about unfinished homework, laziness around helping out, too much Wii and television, or disrespectful words.  Sometimes we’re laughing, sometimes we’re tense. But one thing I know for sure… when I’m on edge, EVERYONE IS ON EDGE.

And see, this is where I sit on the fence… am I to fake it, and fake happiness when I’m tired or stressed for the sake of peace and harmony, or should I be my honest self, my true self, show my kids that life isn’t always flowery, and bring everyone down with me? Cuz really, I would LOVE your opinion on this issue. My ass in on the fence. I always wrestle between protecting them, and giving them the truth. My heart says truth, but with a grain of salt, yes?

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Posted in Kids, Marriage, Motherhood | 19 Comments »

Reflections of a Weekend

Monday, April 12th, 2010

This weekend was action packed. Truly, there was no breathing room. Besides a nice family dinner Friday night, the rest of the weekend was spent studying and running. We awoke Saturday morning to a major hockey tournament for my big son. Hello, what else is new?! But the truth is, 12 of the top players from his team of 50 kids were chosen to compete in the Jeux De Montreal, which is a tournament of different cities competing at the Pre-Novice hockey level. My son was one of the 12 chosen, so to say he was proud, was an understatement!   While trying to study my speech for Sunday during the game, in between bouts of screaming “Go!!!” I felt crazed trying juggle it all. They kicked butt Saturday morning, 12-2.

hockey mom

On the break, we took the boys for lunch and enjoyed his victory. Then, 1:30pm, we were back at the arena for the afternoon competition!  They kicked butt yet again. But this time they played a team where many of my son’s friends play. I couldn’t help but chuckle, as I saw my son’s UNcompetitive nature come out (much like mine) when he was caught chatting more on the ice with the opposition, than focusing on going “hard on the puck” as my husband likes to scream from the stands. He’s so me! You can’t fight genetics. I would also be socializing with my friends on the ice instead of focusing on winning. Anyhow, despite the playdate on the ice, they crushed the opposition again, this time 15-0.  And while I never made it to the end of the game (I had booked a hair appointment for Sunday), I heard about it all afternoon.

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Posted in Career, Kids, Motherhood | 7 Comments »

“Having It All” and Missing So Much

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Do you ever feel like you are adding to your to-do list faster than you’re crossing things off and then end up with very little time to yourself? Ever feel like your career actually fulfills you, but that you’re still missing out on so much? Or better, are you frustrated with your job, and still feel somewhat absent in your kids’ life?

Welcome working moms. Welcome guilty moms. Welcome multi-tasking moms. Welcome frazzled moms. Today’s Blog post is for you.

working mom

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Posted in Career, Kids, Marriage, Money, Motherhood, Stress | 14 Comments »

Keeping The Balls Juggling In The Air

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

I had lunch with a close friend yesterday, and we were doing our usual lunch and chat, and chat, and chat. I love her, cuz she’s my no bullshit friend. We cut right to the chase. No small talk. Open hearts on the table, raw emotions. And for yesterday’s session, her feelings were that of many of us women, “I feel like I’m constantly keeping the balls in the air. The juggle never stops. Quite frankly, it’s exhausting.”

Calling all jugglers and working moms!!

The work-life balance. Such an ancient topic. One we women love to vent about to whomever will listen. After dropping kids off at school and working a full day, the responsibilities still fall upon us to do the groceries, get the dry cleaning, go to Walmart, stay in touch with friends, attend a PTA meeting, prepare a tasty meal, play happy wife, happy mommy, happy employee, and all with that Mary Poppins-like smile.

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Posted in Career, Friendship, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood, Sleep, Stress | 25 Comments »

Life Interrupted

Friday, November 13th, 2009

By Guest Blogger Melanie Kramer

I must admit, writing this Blog post was cathartic, liberating and at the same time overcast with a shadow of somberness. The last six years have been a struggle coming to terms with my decision to give up a painting career that I loved dearly, to stay home and raise my children.  And as I reflect back today, I can’t help but think, “Was this the best decision for me? For my kids? Why do I feel like I am on the road to nowhere?”

Growing up, I watched my mother obsessively clean the house and do the laundry. I watched her go to the dry cleaners and the grocery store. Her life seemed so consumed with daily housework that even though she was a stay-at-home mom, I felt forgotten. I also felt her sadness and saw her frustration. Did she really choose this life for herself willingly? Ever since I can remember, I promised myself that I would never let myself turn into my mother.

Let me also give you some work history… ever since I was small, I was taught that you go to school, get your degree and get a job. I never knew you could turn the things you love into your life’s work. I took dance lessons and many art classes. I loved being creative, but those were the things I thought were just hobbies. So after going the traditional route, I received my degrees in both Psychology and Social Work and worked with children in schools and hospitals. While I did enjoy it, I knew that this was not my destiny.

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Posted in Career, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood | 6 Comments »

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