The year is winding down and I am incredibly excited to report that I only have two more business trips on my calendar.   Toward the end of the year, I reflect on all that I’ve accomplished and evaluate whether the time I’ve spent away from my family has actually been worth it.  Every year, I conclude that, for the most part, it has.

Tip of the Week - Crime and Punishment

“Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.”  Barretta

What it is:  Penalties that naturally link to rule breaking.

Why it’s important:  Arbitrary punishments don’t teach kids how to choose wisely.  The best decisions get you closest to your desire while costing the least.  When actions link to consequences good decisions are easier to make because you know what each action costs.

What it is: The foundation for choosing well.

Why it’s Important:

Hey there - remember me?

The BadAssMama has been MIA for the past week or so. Things have been a bit hectic with the busy-ness of Thanksgiving, entertaining the kids while they were home from school and dealing with a brutal case of food poisoning (nothing like a mystery stomach ailment to kick off the holiday season!).

A couple of weeks ago I asked how far a working mother would go in the bedroom for her husband if she realized he would consider straying if he wasn't consistently not satisfied.  All year 50 Shades of Gray has been the big exciting book and buzz around for women.  Mommy porn is what it has been affectionately called.  I have personally not read any of the books yet - but I have definitely heard and seen the feedback between personal discussions and social media responses from my friends.  There definitely seems to be two differen positions - much like the recent electio

I received an unexpected gift from The Hubs this morning.

Article first published as Sandy Crushed Me on Technorati.

I have now completed 3 more trips for work since returning to work.  One was by myself and the next two I brought the family.  Before my second trip, I went in for a procedure called Essure to become permanently "fixed."  But after the Dr was in, he decided I had too much scarring and performed a tubal ligation.  One week of healing time and I took my second trip.

I have a new respect for the women of the 1800’s who ventured out west in unchartered territory with their husbands and children to make a new home for themselves. Judging by my first few days on the road from the South to the Pacific Northwest, I would not have made it. And neither would my family.

Accountability Cop-Out

Hiding behind natural consequences

What it is

Lying about your role in the mistake your child made.  It’s also known as weaseling out of something to avoid blame.  Parents cop-out when they hide behind tough love and natural consequences.

Natural Consequence

Without Interference

The natural benefit directly received by a kid because of something she did or didn’t do.