Apr
23
2008
I’ve been concentrating on financial and estate planning lately — something that’s been long overdue. I think that women tend to put this kind of planning in the background or let our husbands take care of it. It’s hard to deal with, but must be done.
Lately, I’ve heard of some women who have had serious set backs, to say the least — relatively young spouses who’ve died and some single moms who have had medical issues that require them to be out of work. Who’se got you back in these situations? Do you have family you can rely on? Good friends who could be there for you in a pinch? Are you prepared legally for these type of situations?
Evey woman needs to have legal papers that state who her children would go to in the event she dies as well as who would care for her should she become incapacitated. Remember the now-famous case of Terry Schiavo? She was married, but had no living will and became a case for the courts — her husband and her parents battling out for what was “best for her.” Don’t leave these decisions up to your family members or your friends — make them now, while you are able.
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Apr
22
2008
There is a great article in Parent’s Magazine this month about raising confident kids. I think this is a cornerstone of parenting. Too often we are worried about how many words out kids can spell properly, how well they do in math are they getting into the best schools, but do we spend as much time worrying about if we are teaching out kids to be confident individuals?
The article breaks it down into a few categories:
- Consider your compliments
- Don’t rescue your child
- Let him make decisions
- Focus on the glass half full
- Nurture his special interests
- Promote problem solving
- Look for ways to help others
- Find opportunities for her to spend more time with adults
- Fantasize about the future
Read the entire article here.
Apr
21
2008
We spent the “Day Out With Thomas” on Saturday and it was a great day. Thomas the Tank Engine was there, large as life. I think the sight of the real Thomas scared my son. After all, he’s used to playing with a Thomas that is only 2 inches high!
The event features Thomas the Tank Engine in all of his glory and a train ride with Thomas — we’re on the coaches he’s pulling/pushing. Although the train ride and meeting Thomas are the highlights of the day, there are several other activities to keep the little tykes occupied until it is his/her turn to see Thomas. Sir Topham Hatt makes appearances and poses for photos too. And there is a fake tattoo station, cotton candy vendors, a bounce house, and an imagination station where kids can play with Thomas toys.
Thomas is making his yearly tour across the country, so check the events listing his Web site to see if he’s coming to a town near you. One little boy on our train ride, summed it up best, “I love you Thomas!” he proclaimed.
Thomas in all his glory! Truly a sight to see.
Sir Topham Hatt.
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Apr
18
2008
Could you give up your TV (except one hour per day), computer, iPod, video games, bottled water, going out to eat, all shopping for one week? Two families did for the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Yesterday’s episode was an awakening for millions of Americans as we watched these two families struggle with this challenge. One five-year-old was so attached to video games that the mom describes the experiment like watching a heroin addict go through withdrawal.
Each family had its ups and downs during the week, but ended up saying the experiment has changed them for the better.
National turn off TV week begins April 21. Can you try giving up just the TV for one week? Visit the Unplug Yor Kids blog to take the no TV challenge.
Apr
17
2008
I’m taking a Master’s class about Executive Leadership and my assignment last week was to put together a presentation about an executive leader in the entertainment business. Lots of names came to mind, but I chose Paula Deen because she represents what I call an “overnight entrepreneur.” And, she’s a mom.
Paula Deen is an original mompreneuer. She’s enjoying success today because of a lot of hard work in order to take care of her sons. Here’s why Paula is an inspiration to women and moms.
- Devastation Leads to Action
After 20 years of marriage, Paula Deen was faced with a devastating divorce, and the need to find a way to make a living to support her two young sons and teenage brother. All she’d know to this point in her life is how to cook and care for people, but she needed skills — and fast. Money was tight; she only had $200 and no business skills. This didn’t stop Paula from digging down deep to survive with the only thing she knew; cooking. (source: Paula’s Story.)
- Overcoming Obstacles
She had no money, no formal education, and a disease that kept her indoors. (source: Paula’s Story.) A New York Times article quotes Paula on her agoraphobia:
Some days I could get to the supermarket, but I could never go too far inside,” Ms. Deen said. “I learned to cook with the ingredients they kept close to the door.”
- Believing In Herself
Paula believed in herself and self-published her first cookbook. Since that time she has had multiple cookbooks published along with a new memoir and is the Editor-in-Chief of a magazine.
- Taking the Good With the Bad
- Take Control of Your Life
- Do What You Love
Paula sums it up great on her Web site:
But, you know what, none of this would have happened if I hadn’t of taken the good with the bad, embraced both the heartache and joy, and taken control of my life when I thought it could not have gotten worse.”
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