Working Moms

You're a busy mom with kids, and you've read it all: use the crockpot, eat frozen pizza, cook in bulk. But, today, I'm sharing some tips and tricks that you may have never thought of that will save you HOURS of kitchen work and get you cooking healthy, at-home meals! Whether you stay home, work, have one child or five, you will LOVE these unique, time-saving ideas that will get healthy meals on the table and keep you sane in the process! 1. Get dinner ready at breakfast (or lunch) This tip is a game-changer once you get into the habit of it! The trick is to prep dinner while your children are eating breakfast and are semi-entertained.  For some of...

6:55 am in red letters on the stove clock. “Kids, let’s go. If we don’t hurry up, we will be late.” Now I see 7:00 am ... keep calm but we gotta get moving. “Bennett, you have enough toys for the 10 min car ride to school. You don’t NEED a bad guy. Buzz, Ninja Turtles, and Jake can all be friends in the car. How about we play nice and don’t bring a bad guy? Oh whatever, just get in the car.” “Avery, I understand you don’t like your shoes. You tell me every morning, but those are part of your uniform. The car is open, go get in your seat and buckle up!!” OK, kids out the door, lights off, coffee in...

In Part 1 of my post, I shared our typical day of being a mom and working full-time.  Now, I wanted to take some time to go into the reasons why I work, my tips for balancing life and work, and my advice for dealing with that "mommy guilt" that we all struggle with one way or another. Top reasons I feel that working full time works best for my family: Money - Life is expensive. Period. No explanation needed. Schooling- I went to college then graduate school to pursue a degree where I could make a difference in this world and I want to use it. Continuing Education and Intellectual Stimulation - I enjoy learning new techniques and procedures that will better...

Since I just had my second baby and am headed kicking and screaming back to work, I know that I'm going to have to answer the question: To pump or not to pump? Providing freshly expressed breast milk for my little one is a labor of love that doesn't come from a grocery store. I choose to breast feed my babies for as long as I can when I go back to work; then, I just supplement as needed. So... How do I manage the task of juggling my inquisitive middle school students while attempting this task? Here's some helpful tips I've come to know and love in this process. -Be in the know. Go ahead and have that awkward...

Do you have one of those mom friends that just always makes you laugh and puts a smile on your face? That is how I feel about the lovely and talented Ashley Hawthorne.  She has a quick wit and great sense of humor; but more importantly, she is an incredible and inspiring woman and mom. I'm so happy for you to get to know her and tour a bit of her beautiful, new home out in woodsy Central.  Although Ashley is an Interior Designer, her home does not have the untouched magazine look you might expect.  Instead, she breathes life into every corner and makes it a livable and beautiful space for her son and soon-to-arrive daughter. I know...