Remember the 70's TV show The Bionic Woman? I use to love that show. Watching a smart, savvy and strong woman take on the bad guys and win was awesome. I had all the toys; the doll, her blow up house (that took all Christmas Morning to inflate), her bionic station, the outfits....EVERYTHING. I wanted to be the bionic woman. Yet, I was only a little girl that hadn't experienced tough life occurrences. I only saw the end product. The bionic woman kicking butt and taking names. But who was Jamie Summers before her bionic prowess? How did she get ...
Karen’s New Radio Job
Happy New Year! I have some exciting news to tell you. I am moving to Cleveland for a new radio job in February. Thank you to everyone in South Florida for supporting my radio career in Miami, my wonderful listeners in Charleston, SC and Florence, SC., and of course everyone on the Working Divas Network. I have been absent for a minute trying to get my professional and personal life in order for this cross country move. Once I am settled, (sometime in February) I will be more active on the blog and network. I can't wait to reconnect with ...
December 2, 2009 at 11:42 am · Filed under Mommy Matrix
For many women, going back to work a few months after having a baby is overwhelming and unmanageable.
As strange as it may seem, things get even more difficult for a working mom after the second and third baby arrive. By that time, the romance of being a modern “superwoman” wears off and reality sets in.
Mom is exhausted. Dad isn’t getting a good night’s sleep. And older kids feel neglected.
Dads who want to be equal partners too often fall short because there are certain things they simply cannot do for you — like breastfeeding, sleeping, or even taking a shower.
The new mother starts to question herself and whether it is all worth it. And too often, the money just doesn’t add up.
Too often, childcare, taxes and commuting expenses often negate a large chunk of a young mom’s salary. At the end of each year, many stretched mommys will do what I did throughout my late 20s and ask why I worked so hard just for the glory of feeling guilty.
Was the paltry profit of an entry level job drained by childcare expenses really worth
missing out on so many cute moments? Read the rest of this entry »
Fall is my favorite season. I love watching the trees transform into a kaleidoscope of oranges, browns and reds. It’s the best time to be outdoors. The world is full of vibrate colors and the joy of the returning holiday season makes me happy. My son is at the age where he is discovering the seasons. Everyday he asks me in his curious voice, “Mommy, is it still Fall today? Mommy what is Fall?
This makes me remember out first trip back home to Connecticut in October of 2006. He was walking and would touch and feel EVERYTHING. One Sunday we were involved in a benefit walk, (gotta do a little good in the neighborhood that brought you up) I was overjoyed because it was at my favorite park as a kid; Edgerton Park in New Haven, CT. This park did not have a swing set, slide or monkey bars. The fun was in the beauty. Its surrounded by a turn of the century (19th that is) elegant eight-foot stone wall complete with a greenhouse and Mansion. The walking paths are peppered around the enormous oak trees that remind you of the classic childhood story Hansel and Gretal. There is even a bridge that is now nestled behind an overgrown forest. We use to walk across it when I was younger, but you can’t now. My all time fave, one huge hill I use to run up and down all day long as my parents watched sitting on a picnic blanket observing the view. (and their daughter getting so tired she would knock out in the back of the car and stay sleep most of the afternoon…I get it now!)
Walking into Edgerton Park with my son felt nostalgic. The first think he did was look at the colorful leaves on the ground and started throwing them all over. My mom and I looked in delight. It was his first Fall.
We may not have an Edgerton Park here in Florida but their is so much to do with our little ones during this season of visual change. Pull out the stroller and discover the world around you.
Run a few errands and let your little one help you if they are old enough. Pick up Thanksgiving decorations and the fixings for your holiday fest. Start a tradition they will long love. Plus, they love sitting in the car and looking out the window. Fall is the perfect time to gaze.
Collect leaves. Rake a pile of leaves and have fun running and jumping into them for a while with your child. It will give you and your child a boost! After play time, collect your favorites and pull out the construction paper and let your little one create a collage. Also, teach them the different colors in each leaf…they will never know they are learning!
Introduce the neighborhood. Take a stroll in your neighborhood and talk about the trees, colors, and buildings that make up your community. This will give your little one a sense of their surroundings. And you will get some much needed exercise.
Go window shopping at the mall. Let baby and you be dazzled by the hustle and bustle of the lighting and people moving about as they shop. Take in the energy of the holidays. Moms, give yourself some Me Time and stop for a few minutes at the coffee shop. Latte anyone?
Go to story time at a local book store. You baby/toddler/child will love it. Also pick up a few books on the season of fall and Thanksgiving to enjoy at home on your front porch or patio during a warm morning paired with hot chocolate.
Need to exhale with your girls? Rally your best sister-friends and plan an event of pure entertainment, bliss or both. Below we have created a few gatherings that will get you and your girls motivated.
Spa Day: What Working Divas doesn’t enjoy a day of pampering? (We do) Find a local spa that is budget friendly. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a group discount when you book your services. When picking your treatments, keep it simple and select a pedicure and a massage or facial. Therefore, everyone has a little escape before the chatter fest begins. Read the rest of this entry »
The mom’s of American have spoken. American Baby has released their annual list of the most-useful baby products selected by 5,100 mothers throughout the country. My favorite product were Dr. Brown Baby Bottles, the are the best and have made this years list…how did your favorite fair?
The 2009 American Baby Best of the Year Award Winners:
The new school year starts Monday morning. Over the next few days we will head out to complete our children’s back to school list…supplies (check), backpack (check), school fashions (check), open house (check); however the most important thing is to keep our children engaged in their studies throughout the school year. Once the family returns to its school year drill, how can parents keep kids excited about school like it’s the first day of school…be involved! Working Divas, let’s help our children and their teachers in making them Grade A students and future leaders. Review the tips below and enjoy the school year!
It doesn’t matter if your child is entering first grade or his or her first year of high school, your child should know that you are going to be involved. Parental involvement is a great way to help your child stay motivated about school because it communicates that you are concerned about your child’s education. Make an effort to meet your child’s teacher(s) at the beginning of the year. Attend school events such as Parent/Teacher Conferences and PTA/PTO meetings and check in periodically to see how your child is doing both academically and socially. Also, consider volunteering for a few class or school functions. Read the rest of this entry »
Sometimes “life” gets in the way and you have to move quickly so you don’t fall behind. Pulling into the drive-thru at the nearest fast-food restaurant is sometimes a necessity, but not a good habit. Next time you need good food fast, stop at your local grocery store. Grab a hot baked chicken, a package of salad with the dressing included, and a bag of whole grain dinner rolls. For a light dessert, pick up a convenient container of fresh cut fruit from the produce department. Now you’ve saved time, money, and calories!
July 30, 2009 at 9:04 am · Filed under Mommy Matrix
We bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. Never would we imagine that being a mom is worth is over 138,000 a year.
According to Salary.com a stay at home mom is worth 138,o95.00 annuallly. And a working mom, her professonal and personal multi-tasking would earn an additional 85, 939 year. Deep down, women in the motherhood, we knew our hard work being a mom, wife, cook, maid, assistant, taxi driver, doctor, psychiatrist, nurturer, etc…etc… was TOP dollar all along.
Now Working Divas, we may never see over 200-thousand dollars in our bank account for doing what we do…but the job of a mom…has no price tag in my book. I would do it for free.
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