cindygoodman - Profile | Pictures | Blog - Balancing Act
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User: cindygoodman
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Joined: Mar 13 2008 - 11:28:06 AM
Last Visit: Aug 31 2010 - 04:02:50 PM
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I am a: Work-outside-home parent
My work and family: Business Columnist for The Miami Herald
Bio/Interests: I enjoy reading, bicycling, walking on the beach and exploring vacation spots. I collect candy machines. -
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Mom, Can You Speak Cursive | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Mom, Can You Speak Cursive
As a working parent, I've always felt like my life was running in fast forward. But kids remind us to slow down sometimes. If you've ever had the urge to write down the funny things your child says, you will wish you did when you read Lynda Schomer Mecoli's new book. Mecoli, a South Florida graphic designer, has complied some of the hilarious things her daughter Kayla has said and drawn while she was between the...read more...
Julie Andrews Book Signing Leaves Parents Angry | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Julie Andrews Book Signing Leaves Parents Angry
Yesterday, I woke up early to head over to Borders Bookstore with a group of little girls eager to see Julie Andrews at the book signing for "The Very Fairy Princess." The book signing was supposed to take place from 10 a.m. to Noon. We arrived at 9 a.m. only to learn that the bookstore was only giving out 200 wristbands for the signing and that most had been given out the night before. To say parents were livid is an...read more...
My photo of Julie Andrews, taken despite the beefy guy forbiding the crowd to take photos. (Paparazzi in training?)How to raise an entrepreneur | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman How to raise an entrepreneur
Last Friday, I judged a contest for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO ) Fort Lauderdale/Broward chapter. The contest to recognize contributions made by women in the community was divided into categories. My favorite was the Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. All I can say is WOW! Talk about juggling responsibilities. The three candidates ages 12-19 launched their businesses while still in school....read more...Why we smile more on weekends | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Why we smile more on weekends
I know it's only Monday, but here's another reason you should look forward to the weekend -- it's when people are the happiest, according to the latest work/life balance research. That may seem obvious but new research published in the January issue of Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology reveals some interesting observations. It turns out I was wrong about everything I ever thought was...read more...
Mom Entrepreneurs Share Business Tips | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Mom Entrepreneurs Share Business Tips
I feel honored to have participated in the Mom2Mom Business Workshop sponsored by MomsMiami.com. The turnout was amazing. As a writer and mom, I've watched one of the most amazing trends of the Millennium: women in huge numbers taking control over their work schedules by becoming business owners. On Tuesday, more than 300 South Florida mothers showed at a workshop sponsored by...read more...Should you or your kids get the swine flu vaccine? Should my boss make me? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Should you or your kids get the swine flu vaccine? Should my boss make me?
Many parents in South Florida spent our weekend debating whether to sign the required papers to allow our kids to receive the swine flu shots in school. Conflicted, I consulted with other parents. Most, like me, are unsure what to do. It seems most parents are going with their gut instinct rather than basing their decision on any conclusive research. But isn't that what we typically do...read more...Not a sports fan? Will it hurt your career and personal life? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Not a sports fan? Will it hurt your career and personal life?
A recent post on BusinessWeek's Working Parents blog really got me thinking about sports -- its role in work life balance, career advancement and acceptance into social circles. If you have no interest in sports and your kids have no interest as well, will you be excluded from conversation and invitations? Can it hurt your career? The blog post notes a bit of a brouhaha erupted recently over...read more...Zero tolerance, necessary or dangerous? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Zero tolerance, necessary or dangerous?
I hadn't really thought much about the word "zero-tolerance" until I read about the controversy over the first grader suspended from school for bringing his Cub Scout eating utensil to school to use at lunch. If you haven't read The Times story or AOL's version , here's what happened: little Zachary Christie, 6, was excited with his new camping tool but now faces 45 days in reform...read more...Are we paranoid parents or just responsible? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Are we paranoid parents or just responsible?
Let's face it, these days, most parents have jobs or are looking for one. With so many of us caught up in the daily struggle of work life balance, should we loosen the chains on our kids? I must admit that author Lenore Skenazy is starting to influence my parenting decisions, even though she's on the hot seat these days and in some circles...read more...How to decide if entrepreneurship is right for you | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman How to decide if entrepreneurship is right for you
As someone who toys with the idea of entrepreneurship on a regular basis, I have written enough on the topic to know it's risky. And that's the very reason why a Wall Street Journal article on entrepreneurship spoke to me. I love the way the writer compared it with being a parent: you have to be committed to its constant needs until it's mature enough to hum along on its own. And even...read more...Is playing with your iPhone more fun that playing with your kid? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Is playing with your iPhone more fun that playing with your kid?
I'm sitting in the stands over the weekend at my son's basketball game and I look around. Guess what I see? If you thought I was going to say parent cheering their kids on, you are right and wrong. I see some parents cheering and at least a dozen moms and dads typing away on their smart phones. I'm convinced a growing number of U.S. parents find...read more...Some parents are too involved | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Some parents are too involved
Some parents are crossing the line. They are using the technology not only to help with work life balance, but to constantly tweet, text and send messages to their kids who are off at college. Some extreme examples are pretty horrifying. If you missed ABC's 20/20 segment, it's a must see. Here's the link to the segment . The TV report focused on one of these extreme...read more...The Lesson I Learned from the Kennedys | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman The Lesson I Learned from the Kennedys
The passing of Ted Kennedy made me reflect on an television interview I saw a few years ago with Maria Shriver and her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver ( I think it might have been on Ellen). What...read more...It's that time of year...learn how to say no | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman It's that time of year...learn how to say no
Here we go...the start of a new school year. It's the time of year when organizations and activities kick into gear and working parents are making choices about what sign our kids up to to get involved in. Yes, it's the time of year when those of us who haven't perfected the art of saying no find ourselves saying yes much too often. But this is the year when many of us need to be the best we can be...read more...The Countdown to School | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman The Countdown to School
Are you ready for school to start? Like most parents, I have mixed feelings about going back to a routine. But one thing is sure, I'm starting to feel a little anxious knowing this is the last week of letting the kids stay up late and sleeping in. My little one starts a new elementary school this year, which means a change for both of us. He seems to be completely OK with making new...read more...Moms think dad makes parenting harder | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Moms think dad makes parenting harder
Single or Married, which mom has the better deal? Growing up, I was raised by a single mom who made strict rules and enforced them. No going barefoot. No staying up late on a school night. No outside activities on Sunday nights. Now that I'm raising my kids as a part of a couple, I see the pros and cons of single parenting. Pro: Dad can pick up a prescription on...read more...
Feeling overwhelmed? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Feeling overwhelmed?
I'm one of those people who make lists. I have a list of back-to-school supplies my kids need. I have a list of calls I need to make and errands I need to run. Each time I look at my lists, I feel overwhelmed. But I'm starting to consider my balancing act from a new perspective. I've been inspired by the Post-it note campaign that's sweeping America. The...read more...What's a real vacation these days? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman What's a real vacation these days?
Sometimes, a real vacation takes place when you least expect it. Over the weekend, I tagged along with my husband on a company retreat. The kids stayed behind with grandma and grandpa. Alone and poolside at a beachside resort, I people watched. In his swimsuit, one dad just couldn't let go of his BlackBerry. He typed away even when his toddler...read more...What is your time worth? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman What is your time worth?
Lately, I been thinking a lot about what my time is worth. Is it worth the time it takes to clip coupons to get 25 cents off my grocery bill. I could spend that time writing a freelance story which would earn me much more than couple of dollars I would save clipping coupons. Unlike money, time is gone and you can't earn it back. So, from a financial perspective, is it...read more...Time away from kids -- good or bad? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Time away from kids -- good or bad?
I made the mistake of asking a single mom if she was going to enjoy some alone time while her son spends a month with his dad (her ex-husband). Actuallly, the conversation went like this: Me: Wow! You're going to get a break, some alone time. Her: I don't need a break. I'm going to miss my son. I enjoy my time with him. My initial reaction was that I felt like a...read more...Doing it all is overrated | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Doing it all is overrated
I can make dinner, shoot off an e-mail and chat with my daughter all at the same time. Of course, I would like to be recognized as a mom who does it all. But I must admit that there are certain contributions my husband makes -- like helping my daughter with her math homework, or picking my son up from soccer practice -- that make me glad I'm part of a working couple....read more...Alex Sink, candidate for governor, PTA mom? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman I'm Lovin Michelle Obama's Candor | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman I'm Lovin Michelle Obama's Candor
As a working mother, I'm constantly scrambling to get everything done, rushing here and rushing there and always feeling like I'm never pulling off work-life balance perfectly. But I have to admit, when it comes to work and family, Michelle Obama has it nailed. I'm not saying that she's the perfect mom, I'm saying that she's honest about the highs and lows of being...read more...Mom so distracted she leaves child in car? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Mom so distracted she leaves child in car?
What a day it was yesterday for one South Florida mom! She went to work at 9 a.m. at a pet hospital, most likely rushing to get there on time like most moms do, and left her 1 1/2 year old child strapped in the back seat on the steamy hot day. When dad came to take mom to lunch six hours later, he discovered his son in the family’s silver Toyota Tundra, restrained in his car seat in the back...read more...What NOT to say to a working mother | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman What NOT to say to a working mother
This is the time of year when stress kicks into high gear for working mothers. The end of the school year frenzy begins ( as noted on The Juggle )...there's band concerts, field trips, graduation parties, class parties, baseball playoffs, recitals, etc. All that needs to fit in with our kids' school schedule and work demands. The celebrations are fun and they mean a lot to the kids. But...read more...The Best Part of Mother's Day | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman The Best Part of Mother's Day
For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of Mother's Day are the fascinating stories that appear in newspapers, magazines and blogs pegged to the holiday. Some of my favorites this year were Bridget Carey's article on MomsMiami: Mom 3.0: Wired to juggle. It really made me think about how I can use technology more in my hectic life. I also enjoyed Eileen Soler's piece in The Miami Herald on mom the...read more...Moms and Internet Addiction | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Moms and Internet Addiction
Confession time. Last week my husband was out of town. Of course I miss him when he's away. But I was super excited about going on my computer at night without feeling guilty about not paying him any attention. I cleaned out my Inbox and logged onto Facebook and basically surfed the Web well past midnight without even a tinge of guilt. I must admit I feel as much of an...read more...A Mother's Influence: Raising Bill Gates | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman A Mother's Influence: Raising Bill Gates
Around the dinner table, I give my kids the big talks that I hope will influence them to live their lives a certain way. But often, my grand insights or are met with blank stares or giggles. So frustrating! So, it was encouraging to me to read Raising Bill Gates in the weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal . It turns out raising genius, Bill...read more...When Working Mothers Need Answers | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman When Working Mothers Need Answers
Last week, my two middle schoolers came home with elective choices for next year. The choices included high-school level courses such as Spanish. Should my daughter have the pressure of high school while she's still in middle school? Once again, I turned to the "Mommy Network." If I had any advice for a new mother who plans to balance work and...read more...TV Director Mark Burnett says being a nanny was key to his success | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman TV Director Mark Burnett says being a nanny was key to his success
Mark Burnett, Emmy Award winning creator of Survivor, The Apprentice and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader, was a former nanny. Who knew? In fact, Burnett says it led him toward the path to big time success. Burnett told Best Life Magazine that when he left the British Army Parachute Regiment and arrived in Los Angeles, his friend had been a chauffeur in Beverly Hills and heard of another family looking for a...read more...Insights from women who lost their jobs | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Insights from women who lost their jobs
I feel like there's a lot of worried workers out there. You know it's bad when Glamour Magazine, known for fashion and beauty, takes on the topic of job security. If you are one who is worried about losing your job, or if you already lost it, here are some insights from women who have been there from this month's Glamour with some of my own input added in. What I Would Have Done...read more...Marketing to moms on their mobile phones | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Marketing to moms on their mobile phones
I'm lovin the idea of being able to do a million things from my mobile phone. The gadgets quickly are becoming crucial to keeping us organized and giving us the info we need on the go. I'm told some people are against companies marketing to them on their mobile phones. Not me. I'd love a coupon from Publix sent right to my phone -- no more clipping and...read more...One-on-one time with your kids | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman One-on-one time with your kids
I went away with my daughter over the weekend for a girls birthday trip. I now am vowing to make one-on-one time with each child a regular weekly habit. One-on-one and away from home, my daughter and I bonded in a way that's difficult when the phone is ringing and there are tons of other distractions, including her brothers. My daughter said it was her best birthday --...read more...We are failing our teens? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman We are failing our teens?
Over the last week, I'm seriously beginning to wonder whether parents, teachers and lawmakers are failing our teens. First, as a judge of the prestigious Silver Knight awards given to high school students, I interacted with about two dozen high school students. These were sharp kids who are using technology to change their schools, community and even help with international...read more...Mom To Pay $2.5 mil. For Underage Drinking Party | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Mom To Pay $2.5 mil. For Underage Drinking Party
So us moms, we're a judgmental bunch. Don't deny it. How many times have you said, "what was she thinking?" in reference to another mom. I bet lots of moms are saying it about Lauralee Pfeifer: A former high school student, paralyzed in a car collision after a 2006 teenage drinking party, will receive a $2.5 million...read more...Being Brutally Honest With Kids | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Being Brutally Honest With Kids
How often do you compliment your child? Too often? Have you created a praise junkie? I just read the profile of Anucha Browne Sanders in this month's Working Mother Magazine and found myself intrigued by something she said. Anucha , now director of marketing for University of Buffalo is known as the woman who sued the New York Knicks in a sexual harassment. She won damages of $11.6 million in...read more...The upside of lay offs | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman The upside of lay offs
While many of us are stressing over the mere idea of losing our jobs, others are finding a silver lining in lay offs. The Boston Globe reports that some moms and dads are Laid Off and Loving It. Here are a few benefits of unexpected unemployment: TIME FOR YOURSELF: "Despite the grim task of making ends meet (firing the nanny,...read more...Mommy's On a Business Trip | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Mommy's On a Business Trip
I LOVE the title of Phaedra Cucina's new book: My Mommy’s on a Business Trip . It's great timing for Cucina, president of DolceVita Woman and a working mother . The book comes out just as the idea of turning down business trips becomes less viable in a recession with rising unemployment rates. Cucina tells the story through the voice of a child, and explores the unbreakable bond between...read more...More parents are afraid to take a day off | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman More parents are afraid to take a day off
Here I am working on Presidents Day and like most working parents, I'm afraid to take the day off. In the grocery store, on the soccer field, in the company lunch room....most of the conversation I have with other moms and dads reflect their fear. Working parents are fearful of losing jobs, homes, businesses, savings. The...read more...Channeling June Cleaver | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Channeling June Cleaver
There's a good possibility most of us worker bees will not get a raise this year. There's another possibility that we will suffer a salary cut. So, many of us -- particularly working moms -- are cutting back on everything to save money. We're returning to the kitchen and trying to become more June Cleaver-ish. Even the busiest of working moms are packing up leftovers, bringing our lunch boxes to work, and...read more...Laid off and pregnant | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Laid off and pregnant
A few months ago a friend of mine called to tell me she had been laid off while on maternity leave. I felt bad for her because she really needs the income, especially with a new baby to feed. She wondered if it was legal. Because she was laid off as part of a company-wide downsizing, it was legal. Yesterday I read an...read more...
Things Kids Don't Want Their Parents to Know | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Things Kids Don't Want Their Parents to Know
Lately, closed doors are a big issue in my household. I'll come home from work and my 11-year-old son is on his computer with the door closed. Or, my 12-year-old daughter has a friend over and they will close the bedroom door. Last night at dinner I riterated a house rule. No closed doors and especially, no locked doors. But reading over the list of things kids want parents to know, I feel a little guilty (not guilty enough to...read more...Will your boss care if you watch the inauguration? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Will your boss care if you watch the inauguration?
I made few phone calls around town to find out who plans to watch the historical presidential inauguration tomorrow. The swearing in ceremony will start at 11:30 a.m. followed by Obama's acceptance speech. It's a little bit before the traditional lunch hour. But it seems like most people will head to the lunchroom if there's a TV and watch at least some of the event. Click here to read...read more...Gadgets that help with work/life balance | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Gadgets that help with work/life balance
I'm amazed at all the gadgets that moms are using to help them organize their hectic lives. I've started keeping my to-do lists and my shopping list on my cell phone after a friend showed me how much easier it is than writing them on scratch paper. Working Mother magazine says many moms are using a free online calendar from Google that let's you share scheduling information among linked...read more...
Facebook bans nursing moms | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Facebook bans nursing moms
For those of you who haven't heard, a controversy is stewing over Facebook's ban on photos of nursing moms. An online news story says the controversy started when Kelli Roman, 23, last year posted a photo of herself on Facebook nursing one of her two children. One day, she logged on to find the photo missing. When she pressed Facebook for an explanation, she got form e-mails in return....read more...Reclaim family time in 2009 | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Reclaim family time in 2009
Do you want more family time in 2009? If you want it, ask for it. Most of us start thinking about our resolutions this time of year. We will set our career priorities for 2009. We will vow to make ourselves recession-proof at work. We will vow to find a new job or prove why we should get a raise. We will vow to get in better shape or lose weight. But maybe you should set your...read more...Shopping on company time | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Shopping on company time
Busy parents admit it, you've shopped on company time. I have. But then again, I've worked on my own time. These days with the line between work and home becoming more blurred, it's hard to draw a distinction between the two. And so, with the holiday season in full gear and Hanukkah and Christmas creeping up on me, I'm shopping online, switching between screens as emails come announcing discounts...read more...Secrets for working from home | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Secrets for working from home
As layoffs spread through my office, I try to keep a positive outlook by working from home at least once a week. But it's been difficult. Sometimes my dog often barks while I'm on a business call. Not very professional. Next, my car in the driveway seems to be a sign to my neighbors to drop by and chat. Worse, I feel guilty about the unwashed dishes, dirty laundry or the clutter that needs to be put away while I force...read more...
Celebrity moms and weight loss | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Celebrity moms and weight loss
Weight loss is now a contest among new celebrity moms, at least in the tabloids. In this month's issue of Shape , "Will & Grace's" Debra Messing reports her post-delivery body was unfavorably compared with other famous moms. Debra tells the...read more...How to live in the moment | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman How to live in the moment
Heading into work today after a great Thanksgiving weekend, I stopped to think about what made it so great. I realized that not once did I worry about my inbox, my voicemail, my week ahead. I just enjoyed the now. In the age of distraction, that wasn't easy. If you struggle with living in the moment while trying to balance work and life, an article in December's...read more...Reinvent yourself | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Reinvent yourself
Yes it stinks to lose your job or be out of work. It is particularly difficult when your family depends on your income. But in talking to people, I discovered it can be an opportunity -- if you let it. Yesterday, in my Miami Herald article , I wrote about Kristen Nahum. Her retail store no longer could survive in the high rent shopping mall it was in. So Nahum closed up shop. But she's using this...read more...Advice from Build-A-Bear's Maxine Clark | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Advice from Build-A-Bear's Maxine Clark
Sometimes kids get it when adults don't. Sometimes if we just listen to them, when can make millions. That's the message Build-A-Bear founder Maxine Clark passed along to about 300 women in Miami on Friday at a luncheon for The Commonwealth Institute . Clark told us that when she was considering launching a chain of build your own teddy bear stores, the adults she presented the idea thought she was nuts. The kids were...read more...
Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear WorkshopStop putting others first | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Stop putting others first
As moms, we feel we need to take care of our kids, elderly parents, spouses friends. As employees we feel we need to take care of customers, clients, bosses, co-workers. Why is it that we feel guilty putting ourselves first? Career coach Jackie Harder, president of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, wrote an article today for my...read more...Manic Moms Escape | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Manic Moms Escape
Today, about 130 working moms from 33 states will arrive in Miami and depart tomorrow for the Manic Mommies Escape, a three day getaway cruise to Nassau. Working moms bonding, I LOVE THIS CONCEPT! Manic Mommies is a podcast co-hosted by Kristin Brandt and Erin Kane, two working moms trying to manage the chaotic combination of work and family. Kristin says she and pal Erin started the...read more...
Manic Moms, Kristin Brandt and Erin KaneTaking the kids to the polls | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Taking the kids to the polls
I'm dreading tomorrow. It's a triple whammy for working parents. First, we need to jam voting into our work day. That will take some strategic plotting. Then, we have to carefully avoid political conversation that could distract us from getting work done. On top of that, school is out. Now, we've got the kids to worry about and keep busy. So the dilemma is....do I take the kids to the...read more...Taking the "working" out of working mom | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Taking the "working" out of working mom
Most days, I am crazed at work. I'm trying to jam as much as I can into my work day so I can leave to get home to my kids. Still, even in my crazed state, I enjoy trying to find the balance between work and family. Which is why I found myself fascinated by the storyline for Brooke Shields' character in NBC's Lipstick Jungle . Last week, her character, Wendy, a high-powered movie studio...read more...
Brooke Shields in Lipstick Jungle must adjust to losing her jobDo working moms want a bonus or time off? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Do working moms want a bonus or time off?
Which is more valuable to you --more free time or more money? That is a question that is getting more difficult for me to answer. For several years, American workers have told the pollsters they are more motivated by time off rather than dollars and cents. Personally, I have turned down freelance assignment in the past because I just didn't want to give up my free time. But now, with our economy in the doldrums, I'm not...read more...Women are more stressed | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Women are more stressed
Are women more stressed in this time of financial turmoil? A new study says yes. I'm not convinced. A survey of more than 2,500 people released last week by the American Psychological Association says economic stress is taking a greater health toll on women. The survey found that 80 percent of folks say the economy is a significant source of stress, up from 66 percent in April. Women,...read more...Are we putting our kids under pressure? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Are we putting our kids under pressure?
This weekend, I offered my son a trip to Toys R Us if he pulled the other team's flags in his flag football game. Shame on me. He just wants to have fun on the field. I just want him to try hard and do well. I, like most parents today, want my son to be great at something. I want scholarships for him, awards, recognition... We are all so busy, working longer hours, tethered to our laptops and PDA's....read more...Balancing work and a sick child | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Balancing work and a sick child
Have you ever looked at work as a relief? I am back in the office today after spending two weeks in the hospital at my daughter's side. Despite fantasies of working from the hospital, I found myself exhausted and I needed to put my work life aside and concentrate on consulting with doctors to get my daughter better. Fortunately, my workplace was understand and I was...read more...Can time management be taught? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Can time management be taught?
Why is it that time management is so difficult for so many of us to master? Is it just that we have more piled on us each time we get life under control? Or are electronic devices to blame? Do you think time-management skills can be taught. I do. I often wonder why they don't it in middle school, especially when I see my kids struggling to balance tons of homework, time-stealing technology, a social life and...read more...Moms return to the workforce | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Moms return to the workforce
The recession is pushing at-home moms back into the workforce. Their timing is lousy. Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports the summer of 2008 saw the highest number of job-cut announcements since 2002. Employers now have announced 667,996 job cuts, year to date. So what's a mother to do? How does she compete against downsized workers with up-to-date...read more...Can Sarah Palin balance it all? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Can Sarah Palin balance it all?
I love the way Sarah Palin has Americans debating real issues. I quite impressed by this working mother and what she has accomplished. Now, we're about to find out the country's position on whether women can balance work and family. Palin, a former beauty queen, has proved she's competent as a politician. She's won over the voters in Alaska to become governor. But 'm confident...read more...
Sarah Palin, McCain's running mateMom and Dad the chauffeur | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Mom and Dad the chauffeur
The subject children's activities comes up often in my discussions with people about balancing work and family. We talk about how hard it is to coordinate schedules, get kids fed and where they're supposed to be, and get out of work in time to play chauffeur. Dr. Gaby Cora , a board certified psychiatrist, medical doctor, wellness coach, mom, spouse and author of Leading Under Pressure has some advice on this topic. Her...read more...
Dr. Gaby CoraGetting organized in the new school year | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Getting organized in the new school year
Back to school. Just those three words give us reason to feel overwhelmed. Last week, for my column in the Miami Herald, I brought in professional organizer Diane Hatcher to give a busy mother of four some back-to-school organization tips. The busy mom, Michelle Hurst, is co-owner of a bookstore, and a full-time college student. Like me, she struggles with keeping everyone's schedules straight and being on the...read more...
Michelle Hurst, a busy mom, gets advice from Diane HatcherA mom's Olympian balancing act | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman A mom's Olympian balancing act
So you think your work/life balancing act is exhausting. Imagine if that balancing act includes a quest for a gold medal. There has been a lot of talk about Dara Torres, a Florida girl, and a 41-year-old swimmer who came out of retirement and is going for the gold in Beijing. Dara is the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympic Games and oldest female swimmer in the history of the Games. Even with all the noise about her...read more...
Goodbye mommy guilt -- at least for the weekend | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Goodbye mommy guilt -- at least for the weekend
This weekend, I realized, once again, the importance of bonding with other moms. As a working mom, I miss out on long talks and great advice from other moms about everyday things. Who has time to talk discipline tips when you have deadlines to meet and homework to supervise? But a friend's 40th birthday celebration gave me that opportunity. I spent the entire weekend with a group of moms from all...read more...Making it through Monday | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Making it through Monday
After a fun weekend with the family, some Mondays are a real shock to the system. So the question is how can you motivate someone to give work their all? More companies are contemplating this question -- even in these tough economic times. Apparently, layoffs in many industries have decimated companies and morale. Employers need those of us still employed to perform like superstars. Syndicated columnist...read more...Do cell phones cause cancer in adults and kids? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Do cell phones cause cancer in adults and kids?
Let's face it, cell phones are critical to work/life balance. My cell allows me to handle work matters from home and family matters from work. But I do worry whether cell phones cause cancer? I also worry about my kids and their cell phone use. (24 percent of 10 and 11-year-olds carry cell phones.) This month's Best Life Magazine has a special report with the results of several studies. The findings...read more...Work at home opportunities | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Work at home opportunities
Working from home sounds even more glamorous now that gas prices are sky-high. But weeding through what's out there to find legitimate work at home options can be tricky. I've been impressed by the scope of jobs now available -- everything from customer service agents to virtual assistants to web developers. The pay can vary widely and so can the start up fees. An article in the Wall Street Journal...read more...What makes a marriage? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman What makes a marriage?
Tonight, I watched a couple in a restaurant who were eating dinner together – sort of. She was reading and book while she ate and he was working on his laptop computer. I was appalled but now I have to use new rationale: at least they were at the same dinner table. A recent Wall Street Journal article by Sue Shellenbarger notes the new trend: Couples seem to be doing almost...read more...Want to telecommute? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Want to telecommute?
Would telecommuting make your work/life balance easier? The good news is that rising gas prices have resulted in more employers allowing employees to work from home at least one day a week to offset costs, according to a new survey by Society of Human Resource Management . But job security is an issue at most workplaces right now. So, if you decide to take advantage...read more...
Baby Borrowers? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Baby Borrowers?
Have you heard about NBC's project to show young adults just how tough parenthood can be? The creators of NBC's Baby Borrowers want teens to see that babies are a complete package, and being able to deal with the tougher aspects requires maturity. For 10 years after I married, I put off having kids because I worried I wasn't mature enough. Guess what? I'm in my 40s and I still worry...read more...
The Baby Borrower debuts Wednesday on NBCDo working dads worry about kids while at work? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Do working dads worry about kids while at work?
A Father's Day article in CareerBuilder caught my attention both for the tips it gave and the assumptions it made. "Men who place a high priority on family often need to be thick-skinned about it,' says Pam Ragland, owner of Aiming Higher Quantum Success Co., a personal and business consulting firm. She says men tell her they feel like a pansy if they end up dong things women traditionally do like chauffeuring...read more...Fathers weigh in on work/life role models | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Fathers weigh in on work/life role models
The majority of fathers told researchers they would give up pay for work/life balance. So, why don't they just do it? Anchor Cynthia Demos asked me that question on my TV appearance this morning. My answer: fear. A lot of men don't want to rock the boat at work. I've been thinking a lot about a comment by Rebeldad blogger Brian Reid. He's a proponent of working fathers using the family-friendly policies that...read more...Taking vacations increases your value | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Taking vacations increases your value
Are you a working mom, maybe even a business owner, who resists taking vacations? Are you one of the people who go through the angst of wanting to take vacation while secretly worried about what you will miss when you are gone --- will work pile up, will clients find other vendors, will the boss discover he doesn't need you? To be more valued, Norm Brodsky, author of Inc. Magazine's Street Smarts column , insists you...read more...End-of-the-school year madness | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman End-of-the-school year madness
Holy cow, I'm exhausted! As we get down to the end-of-the-school year the celebrations are coming fast and furious. Can you find time to always be there? Here's why you might feel swamped: Because of a rising interest in rituals, ceremonies have proliferated, marking nearly every life transition—from preschool to college graduation—and making each the focus of festivities. As a result, families face a long list...read more...Can you relate to Carrie Bradshaw? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Can you relate to Carrie Bradshaw?
What are you doing May 30 th ? It’s the opening date for the Sex & the City movie. I can’t wait to see my girls on the big screen. One of my girlfriends who lived for a while as a single woman in NYC is taking the day off work on Friday to see the movie. I may join her. I’m sure we won’t be alone in the theater. Why does this foursome...read more...
Is a step parent a working parent? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Is a step parent a working parent?
I just read a blog entry that took a perspective I never considered. It asks, "Does being a step parent make you any less of a working parent?" Blogger Lylah Alphonse writes: Well, when you’re parenting, step or not, you’re a parent. That’s really all there is to it.Unfortunately, I've had bosses and co-workers who didn't understand that at all. As a step mom, it...read more...Does a messy desk matter? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Does a messy desk matter?
It's Monday morning and I'm at my desk. It's not cluttered but it's not completely clean and organized either. I have worked hard to overcome my natural tendency of allowing piles of paper to cover my desk. I want work/life balance and to me, that means NOT trying to handle too many tasks at once, cluttering my mind and desk. But I look around me and most of my co-workers can barely see their desks. I wonder how...read more...
Telling your kids about the birds and bees | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Telling your kids about the birds and bees
When's the right to talk to your kids about the birds and bees? The question came up today when I got together today with a group of high school friends. These days, all of us are 40-something working mom in different stages of parenting. For me, the best parenting advice ALWAYS comes from other moms. And as a group, we concluded, talking to kids early (when they are in elementary...read more...Which is harder to manage -- career or family? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Which is harder to manage -- career or family?
After a particularly hard week of balancing career and family, I noticed a Mother's Day survey by Adecco that asks, "Which is harder to manage career or family?" Most working moms said managing career is a piece of cake next to managing family: 71% of working mothers find it more difficult to manage their family vs. career (29%). Why would moms say raising family is difficult?...Could it be the last...read more...Cell phones for kids -- luxury or necessity? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Cell phones for kids -- luxury or necessity?
Is a cell phone a luxury or necessity? The question is bound to arise more often as the economy sours and more of us look to cut expenses. In my house, the question has been a matter of huge debate. After a six-month battle, my almost 11-year-old son is now the owner of his first cell phone. The truth is, as much as cell phones give working mothers comfort that they can reach their kids...read more...
I have Hurried Woman Syndrome | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman I have Hurried Woman Syndrome
I'm not proud to admit this but I think I have Hurried Woman Syndrome. Dr. Laura says it is a condition where you're busy, busy, busy and not giving your husband enough attention. When I read about this syndrome the first thing that came to mind was GUILT. Thanks, Dr. Laura. Deadlines mean I can't put work on the back burner. I can't really ignore packing lunchboxes or getting my kids off to...read more...Are our kids inheriting our stress? | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Are our kids inheriting our stress?
As a working mom with huge to-do lists, I'm often stressed. And, my kids know it. Sometimes I'll be doing too much or worrying about what I'm not doing and they will say to me, "mom, you looked stressed.'' But after reading an article this weekend, I'm having second thoughts about showing stress in front of my kids. The article said college kids are so...read more...Moms on the go, go, go | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Moms on the go, go, go
I have been thinking about the working mothers I have interviewed this week for an article -- all have high positions in Corporate America. I admire them, but reluctantly acknowledge I will never be one. Of course, I feel I'm smart enough and determined enough to climb the corporate ladder. But there's something BIG holding me back. These women all have relocated for their...read more...A Working Dad's Big Decision | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman A Working Dad's Big Decision
I read the news in The Miami Herald that Raoul Cantero is resigning as a Florida Supreme Court Justice. I was shocked. Even more shocking was the reason. Six years after becoming the first Cuban-American to hold a spot on the bench, Cantero, 47, had to choose between his family needs and his career. He said his daughter's recent undisclosed illness and his children's ages -- 18, 15, 13 -- persuaded him to...read more...Kids, Bras and Disney | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Kids, Bras and Disney
I survived Spring Break in Disney World. But I returned with a new outlook. There I was on the roller coaster, my 12-year-old daughter wearing a bra, my sons with their hands up over their heads and it hit me: my life is flying by. I looked around at the frazzled moms of toddlers and babies, pushing their strollers, shoving bottles...read more...
The Spring Break dilemma | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman The Spring Break dilemma
I remember my first year out of college when my younger friends came home for Spring Break. There I was in my new job, with no vacation in sight. What a dose of reality! As a mother, Spring Break brought a new dilemma -- what to do with the kids. For parents who get little or no vacation, taking a week off in Spring is difficult. Over the years, I have tried a patchwork of solutions: babysitters, bringing them to...read more...
My fantasy Spring BreakWork, kids, and failure | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman Work, kids, and failure
Is it okay for your kids to fail at something? That’s a question most parents face at some time in their child’s lives. My daughter was a disaster on the soccer field. She failed to exert herself the way the other girls did. We acknowledged this openly and constructively suggested she try another sport. As a business writer, I’ve heard about a hundred executive...read more...
Sara Blakley and her SpanxWhat moms want...in a car | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman What moms want...in a car
CNN.com shares "What women want in a car." While it's not surprising that women want different things than men, I would bet money that moms want really different things. In my case, my SUV gives a clear picture of my life. On any given day, there's my work tote, a Starbuck's cup, magazines waiting to be read, dirty soccer socks and a dog leash. Between commuting and chauffeuring kids, if I...read more...It's my birthday and I'm looking for wrinkles | Moms Miami //MomsMiami.com Member: cindygoodman It's my birthday and I'm looking for wrinkles
Over the weekend, I celebrated my 43rd birthday. Wow, that sounds old. When I woke up, I immediately looked for wrinkles (Isn't that what everyone does on their birthday when they get past 40?) I found some, but I'm not sure they are new. What I know for certain, is that this balancing act is aging me. I can't remember to-dos or phones numbers for more than a few minutes. I have to write everything down. And, when I go...read more...
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