OMG! What will I Put Under the Tree?

Reality has hit. The holidays are officially three months away. The biggest procrastinator in the world, that would be me, as finally learned after three children that shopping really needs to be done months in advance. With the economy as weak as it is you want your children to have what they want but more so what they need. I have recently spoken to many friends who have said their kids will be getting more necessities or learning gifts and less of the random useless gifts they will never play with this year because money is tight. It made me think, maybe it will be cheaper in the long run if I research over the next month before I purchase. I have started to really think about what is new and "hot" or must haves for the fun stuff, but also what clothes will they need for the upcoming winter months and what kind of learning gadgets are available to use on the cold days ahead. A day of Leap Frog sure beats a day of television in my eyes. Leap Frog has just come out with the Leapster2. If your household is anything like mine and you have big kids and little kids, you know the little kids like to get into the big kid's "stuff" and this can cause WWIII. My daughter makes it a point to hunt down my son's Nintendo DS or his PlayStation Portable because she wants to play a game. With the Leapster2, she will feel like she has her own gaming system and little does she know, she is learning while playing! Make learning fun! Arts and crafts materials are also a hot item in my house.

Online shopping is the way to go this year. Grab your Cappuccino or Gourmet Hot Chocolate and your laptop during nap time or in between client calls and look on Amazon for all your gift needs, whether it is for kids or adults, just surfing through Amazon will give you endless ideas. I have spent some time over the weekend comparing prices and many times Amazon has very competitive prices compared to Toys R Us. More to come on this blog post as I research more gift ideas to share with my readers. I would love to share ideas with you and hope you will leave a comment if you have ideas to throw my way. Working from home with three kids, I can use all the gift advice I can get my hands on!

When Work Feels Like Play

Working from home just gets better every day ! Just signed on another client today. I will be providing virtual administrative support to another non-profit, my favorite niche market! I treated myself to adult conversation today. Never thought job training could be so fun. It was 3 wonderful hours sitting and chatting with a female companion and although it was work it was "mommy"time. It's amazing how time alone is taken for granted. Most people despise grocery shopping and running errands. If I can do these things alone, I consider them luxuries. Do you know other "mommy entrepreneurs"? You always hear talk about getting together with other mom's for a playgroup but what about getting together with other mom business owners to share ideas, strategies, marketing tips...the topics are endless. Don't get me wrong, time out with the girls away from the world of work is very important but this is extra time spent on process improvements for your business and at the same time you can gain back some personal identity. Other great therapies are online. What about forums for mothers? There are endless forums and chats you can sign up for and just discuss everyday life with other moms. Share stories, secrets, business opportunities and much more. Social networking is another. Talk about the best of both worlds, you can connect with old friends and share photos at the same time you are marketing your business. I have to say I am addicted to facebook and have received 4 clients from this awesome social networking site! How do you bring "me" time into your mommy cubicle?

Finding Time to Blog

Wow! I started a blog. It has been over two years of saying, I am going to blog! Now when?!?! is the question at hand. When do I blog? Between feedings, diaper changes? during nap time when I should be folding laundry and scraping lunch off the floor? I would love to hear other mommy entrepreneurs blogging blues stories. Are you having a hard time finding time or content or both for that matter. My 1st found blogging weakness is a little of both. As you all know once you start writing, many times the ideas flow like a river. It is just getting to that point. On another note, it's time. One of the precious resources in life we don't have enough of. We don't have enough time to work, do laundry, time with our kids or our significant others. I could go on forever. As a matter of fact, as I blog my three kids are running through the house screaming. I really do work better under pressure and utter chaos, LOL! When do you blog and how do you inspire ideas? Where are you when that light bulb comes on?

When your Baby is Now the Oldest

Thinking back 9 years to when my oldest son was born, it brings upon a stream of mixed feelings. As I am sure many moms can relate, you feel happiness for your accomplishments in raising your child, you feel sadness that your baby is growing so fast and you are aging as well, you have fear of growing older as well as fear for your child surviving in this "not so certain" world, and probably some guilt thinking of all those things you wish you had done different. How about the thoughts (most of the time guilty thoughts) of the times when it was just you and your husband and your oldest child. Life was simple right??? This thought may have briefly crossed my mind once or twice, I admit it. It's a thought that doesn't last long because I absoltely adore all three of my children equally. They are the most important part of my life. As time went on, my family grew, my life became more hectic, yet happier. I became more sleep deprived and cared less every day about my appearence. When I was working outside the home, it was all about getting out the door and to work on time, never mind the mascara and perfume. These things were no longer important and most mornings didn't cross my mind to put on my mental to do list before leaving. Then came the second child, a beautiful daughter. The honeymoon was short lived and the sibling rivalry didn't take long to kick in but the two oldest DO love one another weather they admit it or not, lol! Having to work everyday with two children becomes super exciting! One more little body to bathe, dress, feed and tickle! Worth the extra work and effort??? Every last minute of it. I had my boy and my girl thinking for two years we were fulfilled. The plan for a third child just wasn't there.....or was it? There is a difference between un-planned and un-prevented pregnancy if you know what I mean?!?! My third child was born another beautiful boy, another 20 lbs packed on (oh well) my life was complete. I was home now....getting three ready before work????? No thank you! Not now anyway. Nine years have passed and the thoughts and memories are overwhelming. Where did time go? My baby is now in 4th grade and I am thinking ahead to putting my 4 year old on the bus to kindergarten next fall. A year has already come and gone for my youngest. Now it's time to slow down and enjoy them!

Home at Last

It never occurred to me how many mom's are home with their children until I became a stay-at-home mom myself. It's amazing! Just go to your local library, museum or park on a weekday and see how many moms are out and about with their little treasures. Could it be just coincidence that maybe some of these moms are working part-time and they are enjoying a day off? Maybe, but this blog is geared towards mothers that are home full time, otherwise known as, mom's working from home. Being at home has completely opened my eyes to a whole new career in life, may I say the most difficult and rewarding career you will ever love. My life has turned completely crazy but I love every minute of it at the end of the day. The days go by faster then ever filled with laughter, tears, poop, puke, boo-boos, I could go on forever. After having my third child, making the decision to stay home and most of all getting used to a single income, I have decided my brain is exploding with words of wisdom for other moms. There is so much information out there on "stay at home stuff" but not so much on personal experience which many times hits home for me. I have waited 9 years to be home with my children. It is therapeutic to write about the experiences along the way, especially if it means adult conversation, lol! Please join me on my journey.