Moms these days are so very busy, but we’re more stressed than ever before and in need of lifestyle choices that help us be happier. Pursuing a hobby may be just the ticket.

Here are a few reasons why a hobby is a great idea, even for a busy Mom. Having a hobby relieves stress and tension. Spending time with a hobby replaces negative thoughts and replaces them with positive thoughts and feelings. Having a hobby or creative outlet can lift your spirits and help with de…

Unlike passive activities like television viewing, a hobby provides intellectual stimulation while simultaneously relaxing you. Repetitive actions like those used in knitting are especially calming. Hobbies help you parent better!

We are so good at signing our children up for lessons and classes and encouraging them to have hobbies, even paying for these classes and driving them to and fro! But we forget that we also need to learn new things and grow as people. Hobbies also connect you with other people who share your interests.

A hobby can help you maintain your separate identity as a real person and not just as Mom. This models healthy habits and boundaries for our kids. Hobbies provide a refreshing change from your daily routine.

If you’re a stay at home Mom, you may be frustrated because at the end of the day you can hardly point to anything you’ve “done”. This is because of the repetitive nature of housework and childcare.

In generations past, women pursued hobbies like quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery not only because they were enjoyable but because they provided tangible value to the family, either providing clothing for their backs or much needed income.

Some hobbies like tennis, gardening or belly dancing can even provide great exercise with all of its accompanying benefits. The best exercise activity is one that combines mind and body and is enjoyable to pursue.

Why not carve out some time to pursue your hobby Mom? Don’t let a shortage of time stop you. Rearrange your schedule and put YOU back in it, and start carving out time for your favorite pastime.

Most schools have programs to prevent violence and help keep students safe. But safety precautions shouldn’t stop there. As a parent, you also can take specific actions to improve school safety.

To raise awareness of school safety and security issues, the National Crime Prevention Council, best known for its 25-year-old beloved icon, McGruff the Crime Dog, developed the Be Safe and Sound initiative in collaboration with National PTA. This effort, funded by the Allstate Foundation, Assa Abloy Group and the Security Industry Association, provides advice that parents, community members and educators can use to help make school a pleasant environment for all children.

The National Crime Prevention Council provides the following tips for parents.

* Listen and talk to your child regularly. Communicating with your child on a number of topics related to school, friends and his or her interests can give you valuable insight. Talk to your child about violence and how to solve problems.

* Set an example. Show your child that you can settle conflicts peacefully and nonviolently. Also, show your support for school policies and rules. If your child feels a rule is wrong, explain how the rule can increase school safety.

* Work with others. Join a parent, school or neighborhood association to discuss problems with violence in the community. Work together to find solutions and ways you can provide support to the schools in your community.

The National Crime Prevention Council provides tools for parents as part of its Be Safe and Sound initiative. The “Caregivers’ Guide to Safety and Security,” for example, outlines what parents can do to improve school safety and security. It contains an overview of school safety and security guidelines, an assessment checklist and advice and tips on advocating for change at their children’s schools.

Another resource, the “School Safety and Security Toolkit: A Guide for Parents, Schools, and Communities,” assists parents and community members in working with school administrators and policymakers to help make schools as safe as possible.

What’s In My Diaper Bag? A Humorous Look At A Working Mom’s Life In A Bag…POSTED BY ADMIN / JUNE 24, 2011 / LEAVE A COMMENT
As a business owner and mom, I regularly commute between my home office and a rented office space. Sometimes I begin to feel like a baggage handler by the time I make it to the office. Believe me, toting a laptop computer, diaper bag, stack of files, lunch for the day and my infant son is no easy task. I am hoping it counts as exercise though!

The diaper bag I carry seems to have taken on a life of its own as it has grown to its capacity. It definitely holds more than baby…

The diaper bag I carry seems to have taken on a life of its own as it has grown to its capacity. It definitely holds more than baby items. It is my lifeline!

I recently went through my bag hoping to scale down a bit. Here are some of the items I found:

•Diapers and Wipes and other baby things (it IS a diaper bag after all)

•Cell Phone (doubles as a teether, but don’t forget to lock your keypad so baby can’t call Tokyo)

•Tylenol For Baby

•Tylenol For Me

•Business Cards

•Energy Bars (sometimes lunch is a luxury)

•Telephone Headset (device that allows you to breastfeed, talk on the phone and work on the computer at the same time).

•Loose Change (usually left over from a McDonalds drive-thru trip)

•Crayons and a Coloring Book (to keep my 4 year old occupied while I’m on the phone with clients)

•Dollar Bills (to bribe my 4 year old while I’m on the phone with clients)

•Duct Tape (for emergencies only….again with the 4 year old and being on the phone with clients)

•Sandwich Bag full of Cheerios (for baby and sometimes the energy bars aren’t enough)

•To Do List (in case you actually find time to work)

In my attempt to scale down, I realized I just needed a bigger diaper bag. I see no reason to fight it. My needs will only increase as my son gets older and more mobile. Diaper bag designs will just have to evolve to work for me!


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