Usually when I write something have to do with working from home, it’s about how to create an income. However, making money isn’t the only necessary ingredient in the stay-at-home recipe. The flip side of the coin is making some sacrifices and finding ways to save money.

“I think parents should be held accountable for their child’s actions…”

This is a partial quote by Julie Hertzog, the Director of the National Bullying Prevention Center, in response to one community’s decision to pass an ordinance that allows police to ticket parents of chronic bullies. The emphasis in the ordinance is on the response of the parents once they are notified in writing that their child has bullied another, whether face-to-face or by way of cyber bullying.

I get it – a sense of humor helps people to cope, to relate, and to not take life too seriously.  But I’ve never found it funny when parents joke about their inability to keep up with the responsibilities of parenting, as in, “Johnny is wearing dirty socks for the 3rd day in a row because I can’t seem to find the time to do a load of laundry!

Being a mother and a casual observer of the human race, it warrants me the right to shed light on the interesting public response to parents out and about with their children.

Kimberly McCreight’s debut novel, Reconstructing Amelia, is a very powerful book that is a must read.  The story explores many of today’s difficult societal issues:  the complicated world of parenting, working mothers, how children are bullied and the effects on their emotional stability, the

One is the perfect number for our family, and happily for us, one precious girl arrived three years ago this month. As an only myself, I’m prepared to pave the way. Although only children are now ubiquitous, negative stereotypes about them persist. The stereotype that I find the most natural and the least inconsiderate to live up to is that of “immodesty”. My manicure, stylish top, statement necklace and even my eye-makeup are often a joyful shade of lemonade. My only girly-girl child dons her own lemon and white striped dress and matching hair accessories.

When I think about the energy I have wasted over the years being angry, I am sure I must be crazy, and that just makes me mad.

How about you?

Do you ever get angry over “little” things?

Can your children push your buttons?  Of course we expect our children to know how to push our buttons, but did you ever think they would learn the secret to pushing them all at the same time?

“Honey, get up. Your pants are getting dirty.” Isn’t that what every man wants to hear when he is on one knee and proposing to his girlfriend? Well, that’s the response my husband received when he asked me to marry him 12 years ago. At that moment, all I could think about was how he had on a new pair of khakis and how dirty the ground was and how it was going to be hard to get the dirt out of the knee. I did eventually get to the “yes” part, but I think he had to ask me again before my brain started functioning properly. What can I say? I don’t respond to surprises well.

We’ve heard it time and time again, exercise is good for your health.  Trust me, being a former personal trainer and aerobic instructor I know how important it is to get in regular exercise.  But, when I became a mom, I also understood the challenge of trying to fit it in.  And, like most busy mothers, I allowed work, family and life to get in the way of consistent exercise, but not today.