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November 2008
November 13, 2008 10:31 AM
The fact that parenthood is a 24/7 job shouldn't come as a surprise to all of you who are parents, but still, the reality of this concept bears repeating, because we don't always believe it. We think it might be completed one day. But no. Parenthood is a 24/7 job.
Being a parent can be rewarding, thrilling, even life-altering, but it can also be demanding and tough. It requires you to keep many plates spinning at the same time without allowing one to topple over and break. Problem is, the art of spinning plates - even to circus specialists, takes years of practice to master. What if you've just entered into parenthood for the first time?! Need some advice? Do your due-diligence; get prepared in advance. And then, throughout your life as a parent, plan to increase your knowledge and enhance your abilities by taking extra-credit courses along the way. But in the meantime, consider the following:
1. Keep your romance alive -I know, you're very focused on the baby, child, or children in your life, but trust me -- you and your adult partner need "special" time too.
2. Don't over-do it -In other words, resist over-scheduling your kids with too many activities, because this means more car-pool time for you. Kids benefit greatly from exploring the world using their own little imaginations. If we over-schedule, and over regulate them, they may not have enough of the leisure time they need to ponder their own bellybuttons - to dream, to gaze at passing clouds, to look for bugs in the grass. Kid stuff.
3. Make playdates with your girlfriends -Very important.
4. Teamwork -Get the kids to help you with the household chores. It'll be good for them to accomplish tasks, and while they help you, they're learning responsibility.
5. Learn to say no -Sometimes no is the perfect answer. Saying "no" helps kids to learn their boundaries, and also lays the groundwork for them to accept things are they are. Clearly in life, they won't always get their way. They'll need to learn to follow rules and understand that they shouldn't always expect more.
6. Be realistic -How many games of "go fish" can you play in one day? Set your limits. Participate, for sure, because every child wants mommy and daddy to play with them. But let them know you have adult things to do as well. Give them an opportunity to explore, and to use their own imagination. If we do everything with them, our kids will be fearful of trying anything alone, and that is not the message you want to send.
7. Breathe and smile -Life is a work in progress!
Posted in Family Matters |
November 13, 2008 10:31 AM
The fact that parenthood is a 24/7 job shouldn't come as a surprise to all of you who are parents, but still, the reality of this concept bears repeating, because we don't always believe it. We think it might be completed one day. But no. Parenthood is a 24/7 job.
Being a parent can be rewarding, thrilling, even life-altering, but it can also be demanding and tough. It requires you to keep many plates spinning at the same time without allowing one to topple over and break. Problem is, the art of spinning plates - even to circus specialists, takes years of practice to master. What if you've just entered into parenthood for the first time?! Need some advice? Do your due-diligence; get prepared in advance. And then, throughout your life as a parent, plan to increase your knowledge and enhance your abilities by taking extra-credit courses along the way. But in the meantime, consider the following:
1. Keep your romance alive -I know, you're very focused on the baby, child, or children in your life, but trust me -- you and your adult partner need "special" time too.
2. Don't over-do it -In other words, resist over-scheduling your kids with too many activities, because this means more car-pool time for you. Kids benefit greatly from exploring the world using their own little imaginations. If we over-schedule, and over regulate them, they may not have enough of the leisure time they need to ponder their own bellybuttons - to dream, to gaze at passing clouds, to look for bugs in the grass. Kid stuff.
3. Make playdates with your girlfriends -Very important.
4. Teamwork -Get the kids to help you with the household chores. It'll be good for them to accomplish tasks, and while they help you, they're learning responsibility.
5. Learn to say no -Sometimes no is the perfect answer. Saying "no" helps kids to learn their boundaries, and also lays the groundwork for them to accept things are they are. Clearly in life, they won't always get their way. They'll need to learn to follow rules and understand that they shouldn't always expect more.
6. Be realistic -How many games of "go fish" can you play in one day? Set your limits. Participate, for sure, because every child wants mommy and daddy to play with them. But let them know you have adult things to do as well. Give them an opportunity to explore, and to use their own imagination. If we do everything with them, our kids will be fearful of trying anything alone, and that is not the message you want to send.
7. Breathe and smile -Life is a work in progress!
Posted in Family Matters |
November 8, 2008 9:19 AM
We are closing in on the end of 2008, and though there is still time for us to gather our thoughts and set up our personal goals for the coming new year, it would serve us well to remember some of the promises we, as a global civilization, have made in the past -- specifically the promise to end poverty. As women, it is particularly important for us to be aware of the fact that women comprise nearly 70% of the world's 1.3 billion poor people. We must address this tragic inequity, because as we've repeatedly learned, a woman's economic security and independence is the best way to ensure the health and welfare of her children, as well as the family and community within which she lives.
The Millennium Promise is one that benefits us all, no matter our current personal circumstances, because it helps equalize the playing field. The Millennium Promise aims to achieve the following eight globally endorsed objectives that address the many aspects of poverty:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Develop a global partnership for development.
Many notable individuals have used their fame and influence to raise public awareness of the extent of global poverty, including singer John Legend. Organizations such as Unicef, and Women Without Borders are making important strides in this area. But all of us can make this issue a priority, and make a personal determination to be part of the solution. With very simple interventions, we can wipe out global poverty in 20 years. Make The Millennium Promise a done deal.
Posted in Social Commentary |
November 7, 2008 9:21 AM
I know this is an emotionally charged subject, but nevertheless, a discussion about your personal finances it is a vitally important one to have. Are you financially independent? I know - I can hear you laughing. But this is serious -- can you pay your bills this month? Have you set up your retirement plan?
Some women think that someone else in their lives will take care of their financial needs as they age, but clearly, that's not always the case. Women need to be personally responsible in the creation of their financial arrangements. If you don't have a retirement plan in place, there is no time like the present to get one started. Remember..as wonderful as they can be, a man is not a plan! Whether you're married or single, whether you're a stay-at-home mom, or if you work multiple jobs, planning for a comfortable retirement is a vital activity that begs your attention.
Don't know what to do? Here are some pointers to get you started.
1. Start a savings account, and save as much per month as you can.
2. Open an IRA or 401(k). If your employer doesn't have a 401 (k) program, lobby them to change their policies.
3. Seek the advice of a financial advisor.
4. Create an investment strategy that works for you. One example, is Freed Funds - a fund that can simplify your retirements investments.
Check out Women's Finance for more suggestions, and get started on your retirement plan now.
Posted in Women in General |
November 6, 2008 8:29 AM
Beware of
letting your little girls watch too much TV. Oh, I know, this admonition has
been tossed around for years, and most of us think, what's the point - TV
movies, magazines, billboards -- all media sources, are everywhere. How can you
keep your kids from seeing at least some of it? But studies by The Rand Corporation show that you should try. Many of the shows on the air
today have lots of sexual content, and send ubiquitous sexy messages that our young kids are picking up and internalizing. One serious consequence of
allowing an uncensored television to be a teacher is that in the US, teen girls
are at an increased risk of becoming pregnant. A recent
study found that boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17 who watched
television with the most sexual content, were twice as likely to become
pregnant as those who watched less sexy shows. The bottom
line is that parents need to limit their young kids' access to TV shows with
sexual content, and better yet, when such content does leak into the shows for
young teens, watch the shows with your kids so you can talk about the realities
and consequences of engaging in sexual activities at such a young age. Patience and an awakening libido may mix as well as oil
and water, but if your sons and daughters get a true sense of the
responsibility sex carries, perhaps they'll be able to resist the activities
their favorite TV stars are engaging in -- at least until an appropriate age,
and until they are sufficiently armed with the right information.
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