Slow Parenting: Taking it Old School

How many articles have we read of parents micro-managing their children---even doing their school projects? Most of us have seen how competition to get ahead, which was formerly only a workplace phenomenon, has seeped into the lives of our school-age children. Middle class parents especially are in a frenzy to make sure that their sons and daughters get into elite institutions. In their twelve year preparation kids are scheduled for umpteenth enrichment activities each year. Parents in their roles as "success coaches" for their kids are coordinating all of logicistics, often for multiple children . Many parents in their quest to do "everything right" are stressing themselves and their kids out unnecessarily.

In the blog article, "Slow Parenting: The New, Old Way of Doing Things," writer Bethany Sanders interviews author Carl Honoré who has written two books on "slow parenting." She says that, "a perfect storm of workplace competition, a consumer culture that demands perfection, smaller families and parental anxiety have created an atmosphere where parents feel compelled to push their kids (and themselves) harder than ever.

"The bottom line is that parents in this generation have lost their confidence," Honoré tells Lisa Belkin, Motherlode blogger, "That makes us easy prey for companies hawking unnecessary tools for childrearing (helmets to protect two-year-olds from toddling injuries, anyone?). And very vulnerable to pressure from other parents ("What, you mean your child doesn't have a tutor?!?")."

Read the entire article.

Tax Tips if You Have a Nanny or Regular Babysitter

If you have a babysitter or other household employees who is on a consistent weekly schedule, you may need to pay the "Nanny Tax."

According to Katherine Lewis, About.com's working mom's expert,"If you have a nanny or frequent babysitter for your child, you need to understand the nanny tax. The IRS requires anyone with household help, such as a babysitter or housekeeper, to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes if annual pay crosses a set threshold, which was $1,600 for 2008 and $1,700 for 2009."

Read Katherine's entire article, How To Pay the Nanny Tax-Easy Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3."

The Value of Domestic Outsourcing

Too many working mothers think that they have to be superwoman. In their quest to be perfect mothers and wives they are running themselves ragged with activities that don't bring them joy, just public validation. When I coach women I tell them to delegate the activities that don't bring them fulfillment---this leaves them more time to pursue that activities and relationships that really matter to them.

I stumbled upon a blog post, Domestic Outsourcing that is a must read on the topic.

Following Your Own Path

Following Your Own Path

You enter the forest
at the darkest point,
where there is no path.

Where there is a way or path,
it is someone else’s path.

You are not on your own path.

If you follow someone else’s way,
you are not going to realize your potential.

~ Joseph Campbell

Your Personal Bucket List

Last night I settled down with my first movie from Netflix, The Bucket List. I must admit that this movie is not one that I would have chosen on my own. The film starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman about two dying buddies just didn't appeal to me. However, a glowing recommendation from my sister convinced me to put the film in my Netflix queue.

It sounds cliche but I laughed and I cried. More important, the movie made me think. The Bucket List focuses on things that the two dying men want to accomplish before they died. Each man had allowed life and circumstances to get in the way of living fuller lives. Without revealing too much of the plot, Morgan Freeman's character has sacrificed his intellectual talents and ambitions for his family and Jack Nicholson's character has perhaps sacrificed his personal life to build his vast empire. In the remaining time that they had, the bucket list provided the two men with the last opportunity to fulfill their life dreams.

While I watched the movie, I began to think about the things that I had yet to do and began wondering what I was waiting for?--the right time, more money, what? It occurred to me that life moves rapidly and that if I don't make my goals and ambitions part of my everyday existence, they may indeed slip off the radar. I am happy to say that thus far I have few regrets and that I have some achievements under by belt...but there is more that I have to conquer and experience.

In the next few days I will be working on my own bucket list. I just think that it shouldn't take a terminal illness to wake us up to the possibilities of our lives. I truly believe that if we are truly grateful for our lives, we should be doing our best to live to our fullest potential daily.

Money Books for Mothers Who Hate Finances

Many working mothers fail to develop a strong financial vision for themselves and their families not because they are naive or irresponsible. They don't take an active role usually out of fear---fear that they don't know enough to manage their families' money.

This economy has showed us that even high-wage earning husbands can and do lose their jobs. This means that Working Moms and SAHMs have to seriously think about how they and their families would fair if either they or their husbands lose their jobs.

Here are three great financial books that will help women who have avoided dealing with their families finances.


Women and Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny Suze Orman

Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge & Overcome Financial Fears Forever
Jean Chatzey

7 Money Mantra for a Richer Life: How to Live Well with the Money You HaveMichelle Singletary

Creating a Strong Financial Vision is one of the principles of the Working Moms Balancing System (TM) Learn more about it at Working Moms Mentor

The Economy is Forcing More Moms Back to Work

According to a recent article in Time magazine men make up 82% of the recession’s job losses, which means a lot more mothers are looking for work as a way to replace the husband's lost paycheck. The Time magazine article discusses the shifting reality for many women married to White collar professionals. These mothers who had "opted out" of Corporate America to care for their children are now despite to find jobs, now that their husbands are unemployed.

Using my Working Moms Balancing System(TM) I coach mothers about how to develop a strong financial vision for the families in the event that their husbands gets sick, dies, loses his job, or wants a divorce. Regardless of your husband's income, advance planning means that you and their family will be able to continue to maintain your desired lifestyle, even in the face of an economic downturn.