You probably love them because you know they’re nutritious and packed with vitamins. Kids, on the other hand, aren’t necessarily hip to healthy eating, and a heaping forkful of veggies can make them a bit squeamish, to say the least. Getting that goodness into their …
Being a mother is a tough job, whether you stay at home with your children or head to an outside job while still managing to keep things in order within your household. There is always too much on a mom’s plate and sometimes this can spur depression, stress, or feeling as if life has simply become a monotonous daily grind. Life doesn’t have to feel so draining and chaotic, however, and there are small changes moms can embrace to make life feel better. Continue reading Conquering The Daily Grind As A Mom: Simple Ways To Boost Your Wellness And Transform Your Days
Article by: Tiara Swinson of MathGenie.com Photo credited to storyblocks.com Does your child have self-control issues? Can he or she reasonably control their impulses and behaviors? Children with poor self-control are more likely to develop aggressive behavior, as well as anxiety and depression. If your …
I am my child’s most important teacher in life. As a reading specialist, I know how crucial early language and literacy skills are for young children. It sets the tone for the rest of their lives. As my children grow up, they still remember the …
There’s a lot that moms and entrepreneurs have in common: mainly that they are the CEOs of their respective areas and have to put up with a lot, but they persist. Balancing work and home life can be tough, but it’s becoming more and more common for moms to start their own businesses. Here are some essential tips for those about to travel down this difficult but rewarding path.
Think of your experience as a mom as an advantage, not a disadvantage
It’s easy to fall into the mindset that being a mom puts you at a disadvantage to starting your own business. It really hasn’t prepared me for owning a company, or I simply won’t have what it takes to cut it in this sort of cutthroat world.
In reality, being a mom likely prepares you for starting your own business just as much as – if not more than – other lines of work. As a mom, you develop skills like multitasking, dealing with strict budgets, organization, delegation, and more.
“I don’t know about you but I’d put my money on someone with these skills rather than a new college grad,” notes single mom and CEO Angela Benton to Entrepreneur.
Even if you work from home, try to keep work and everything else separate
You may have to wake up earlier or go to bed later (for a while at least), but it’s important that you try to keep work separate from all of your other household responsibilities. When you’re working, work. When you’re spending time with your family, leave work for the next day. People that have a hard time keeping a healthy work/life balance often fail because they blur the lines so much they can’t differentiate between the two. Check out some solid advice on keeping that balance from other CEO moms who found success.
Let your online presence handle a lot of the work for you
Even if you have a brick and mortar store or office, your true storefront will be your online presence – most importantly your business website. A slick, well-designed website not only attracts customers and is basically free marketing, it also allows you to accept orders, appointments, consults, etc. at any time – like when you’re away at the lake with your family, for instance. Your social media presence (think Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) does some of the same things, but it’s the website that is truly irreplaceable.
Think of money spent on wellness as as business expense
A healthy, focused you is your best asset. So anything that makes it easier to have more time to work on your business, spend time with your family, and get healthier should be seen as a business necessity (within reason, of course). That means you shouldn’t be stubborn when it comes to seeking help. Whether it be a babysitter, fitness coach, housekeeper, yoga instructor, or a massage appointment – you not only deserve it, but you truly need it as well.
Don’t put yourself in a box
There’s nothing wrong with starting a mom-oriented business if that’s you passion, but don’t put yourself in a box out of the gate. Your experience as a household director combined with your other education, skills, and interests mean that you can pursue whatever sort of business you think will be successful. The main point: don’t listen to anyone else’s idea of what you should do. Only you know what works for you and your family.
Being a new mom can be overwhelming in many ways; there’s so much to think about, plan for, and worry over that it can be stressful even when you’re not sleep deprived. Breastfeeding is one of the biggest causes of anxiety for mothers for a …
Single moms always have a lot on their plates to keep up with so finding the energy to exercise, and ensure that their kids exercise as well, can be a challenge. Many families fall into a rut during the winter months, but once spring hits …
The holiday season abounds with fun, family, friends, and food in spite of the often colder, blustery weather. However, for some the season presents an emotional challenge that can be hard to overcome. Whether impacted by the loss of a loved one, the stress of a social event, or just the shorter daylight hours, the holidays can lead to serious depression or addiction if stress is not managed appropriately. If you are feeling like the holidays bring more darkness than light, continue reading for some tips to help you through it.
Do something fun. Fun can seem like hard work when you are feeling blue or overwhelmed. It’s often the last thing you think about, and the last solution you want to try. Regardless, it is important to fight the urge to avoid fun, and force yourself into it. Taking a short walk to view the decorations in your neighborhood, making cookies, or joining friends for an open-skate session at your local ice rink may not solve all your problems, but it is sure to relieve at least some stress. Likewise, it’s easy to write off decorating your own space as just another chore, but taking the time to decorate for the holidays can add some sparkle and be uplifting. Even if you are the only one who will see it, the positive impact it will have is worth the time and effort.
Plan a trip to somewhere warmer. While modern travel can certainly add its own layer of stress for the underprepared, the mental health benefits far outweigh the planning efforts involved. Escaping the day to day routine can make you feel refreshed, and ready to start the new year on a positive note. While you can certainly go somewhere that is literally warmer, don’t discount a trip to see family or friends, which can be a great source of stress relief as well. Being around family and friends can give you warm feelings of love and security regardless of the weather outside. Just be sure to avoid spending time with folks who might encourage substance abuse or other non-productive activities as stress management solutions.
Use the weather to your advantage. If you are one of the many people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder this can be especially important, as the condition can quickly snowball out of control and lead to serious issues such as depression and addiction. Prevent the condition from getting worse by getting outside: humans aren’t meant to hibernate, and doing so can worsen your condition. If skiing is outside your budget, don’t be afraid to resort to childhood activities to help you find a way to enjoy the winter weather. Try building a snowman or making a snow angel. If you need affiliation to keep you motivated in the cold try organizing a neighborhood snowball fight, or heading to the local sledding/tubing hill. If physical activities are beyond your means, try sip some hot cocoa while you watch others to enjoy the positive, contagious effects of their laughter.
Keep indulgences to a minimum. Whether that means alcohol or cookies, it’s easy to overdo it during the holidays. With nearly constant access to high calorie foods and drinks at holiday events, it’s important to remember the impact that diet has on both mood and overall health. Establish healthy limits in advance, and create a plan to keep yourself on track. Actively avoiding overindulgence is a good countermeasure for addiction, and helps avoid the holiday weight gain that can cause stress to carry over into the new year.
Making the most of the holidays can be a real challenge when you are feeling down. Whether you are fighting a known ailment or are just down in the dumps this year, remember that you are in charge of the outcome. Force yourself to have some fun, alone or with friends. Press reset by taking a trip, and escaping the routine. Find a way to enjoy the winter weather, instead of hiding from it. Maintain a healthy diet, and avoid addictive substances. By being firm with yourself about the impact that small decisions have on how you feel, you’ll be able to eliminate a significant amount of the stressors that might prevent you from enjoying the wonderful attributes of the holiday season.
Considering a vegetable garden? There are so many benefits, that a lack of interest seems to be the only deterrent, and if reading this article, you already have the interest. It’s hard to find reasons not to try it! Let’s look at some potential benefits: …
