With Memorial Day behind us, summer has officially begun, and I can already feel the energy in my home changing. With longer days, we’re up earlier and in bed later. Baseball games, barbeques and sprinklers are beckoning.

The question is how do you stay focused on the business projects you want to accomplish while still enjoying the lazier days of summer?

Every mom can appreciate the extra stress of summer vacation but for work at home moms it can be even more challenging. Most of us can’t afford to put our businesses on hold for three months. So what can help us manage our business while we still enjoy the summer with our families?

Here are some summer vacation tips that I’ve found helpful:

Banish Guilt – Don’t waste your summer feeling guilty. You can’t get it all done (be it every work project and every activity with your children) so for your own sanity stop expecting yourself to. Focus instead on being grateful. The gratitude stems from acknowledging your opportunity to work from home and run a business that brings your joy and income while spending quality time with your children. (more…)

After receiving my friend Karen Schachter’s newsletter the other day, I really wanted to share her important message with my community. As the mother of a tween daughter, I’m very conscious of the body image issues she’s already facing and the importance of the role I play in her life so she can best handle these challenges. Karen  is a psychology of eating expert who helps women, and their families, develop positive relationships to food and their bodies.  Learn  more about her at  her site.

Here is Karen’s article, as well as a recent interview I did with her.

This morning, after yet ANOTHER day stuck inside because of the snowfall, my daughter asked me to play WII with her.  (She has recently re-discovered it and it’s been a great distraction during the BLIZZARD!)

"What do you want to play – WII Sports or WII Play? Bowling? Boxing?" she asked me.

I replied that I didn’t really know, since I don’t really know the options. I asked her what she’s prefer.

"You decide!" she implored, "I really don’t care. I want you to choose. Please!"

(more…)

We’ve all been there. In a classroom or in the work force and had to take a test. Many of us experience horrible testing anxiety that all but runs our life. Some of us are now watching our children experience the same pain and feel helpless.

Have you ever been there? Felt the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach or experienced that clammy feel of your skin. Some people feel their heart race and their blood pressure soar. Others get cold and just want to hide.

These are real symptoms to a real problem and watching your child experience them can make you feel powerless. Yet now, thanks to a leading educational expert you no longer need to be powerless nor helpless when it comes to test-taking for you or for your child.

Jill Stevens, owner of The Center 4 Learning and known online as The Education Lady, was once a student who dreaded tests to the point where she made herself physically ill. As an educator who noticed the same problems in her students, Jill uncovered the strategies, tips and secrets that allowed her to overcome her own paralyzing test-taking anxiety.  Jill is now sharing her discoveries with us here in an upcoming interview.

- If you are ready to unblock yourself from testing anxiety
- If you are ready to discover a way to remove test-taking anxiety in your child
- If you are ready to learn the secret strategies and test-taking tips
- If you are ready to help your child succeed…

…then I highly recommend attending this Free call. Jill’s methods are life-changing for student’s of all ages. To find out more about my call with Jill Stevens, please visit this page.

I’m interested in hearing about your experiences when it comes to test-taking anxiety for you and your child. Please share your thoughts and post questions you’d like Jill to address on the call.

I’m a big believer in teaching my kids to take responsibility for their belongings and their actions. But I also know the importance of being able to bend the rules.

My 10 year-old son Beck plays the trumpet and a month ago while we were waiting for the bus he realized he’d forgotten it and he asked me to drop it off at school later on. I said no. He looked at me disbelievingly. I said it wouldn’t serve him in the long run if I bailed him out each time. With slumped shoulders and a sad face, he got on the bus. My heart broke but I trusted I was doing the right thing.

Hours later when I met him at the bus (and he’d forgotten the morning) I asked him if he understood why I didn’t bring his trumpet. “You want to me to be responsible,” he said. I clarified that if I’d dropped it off he might not be incentivized to remember the next time.

Fast forward to last week. I’d just returned from a business trip, had jet lag and was definitely not back in my mommy groove. Our morning was rushed, and I had to drive my kids to the bus stop. Just as the bus was arriving, Beck looked at me and said, “oh no, I forgot my backpack.” I told him to stay in the car,  ushered my other two onto the bus. and made a u-turn to head home to retrieve his pack.

When he jumped back in the car with his backpack in hand he asked me why I’d done that, why I hadn’t made him go to school without it.

My heart opened wide and I said “because I know you are responsible. Today was a nutty morning, for which I want to take responsibility, and I want to give you a pass. We all make mistakes and I want you to know it’s okay.” He smiled ear to ear with his delicious dimples that always warm my heart. When I dropped him off at school, he bounced out of the car all light and airy.

Driving home I reflected on the importance of my giving him a pass, and the message I gave him that I do  believe in him and it’s okay not to be perfect. I then thought about that same message for myself.

I need to give myself a pass sometimes. I’m a far cry from the perfect mom. I do my best to connect meaningfully with my kids and instill the values I believe in but sometimes we eat crappy food, stay up too late and forget our backpacks, and it’s okay. We need permission to give ourselves a pass.

My husband and I have taken many of Harv Eker’s personal development classes over the years. Just this summer, we went to a camp called Enlightened Warrior Training Camp. One of the key messages they taught is the importance of keeping a commitment to yourself – this is really important lesson for us as entrepreneurial moms. When you say you’re going to do something, you do it.

One specific idea from this camp that really stuck with me is “either commit 100%, or commit 0%.” That means if you know you can’t commit fully to something, just say no, rather than do it half-heartedly. And, when you say yes, go full throttle.

But, what should I commit to…?

If you’re one of the many entrepreneurial moms with children at home, taking care of your kids is a priority – you’re committed. In fact, that’s probably why you chose to run your own business and work from home. You wanted to honor your commitment to your family.

Now when it comes to your business it may be harder to determine what you should commit to… Ask yourself, “How does that project serve my business? If I get this particular project done, is it going to help to build my list, generate income, or set me up as an expert?” Those are some important things that entrepreneurial moms have to think when you’re making a commitment to get something done.

I’ve been really focused on the commitment we make to ourselves when we say we’re going to do things. Over the summer I made a conscious decision of where I’d focus my business energy. I only focused on anything “Get It Done,” be it my Get It Done Circle or my Get It Done coaching program. There were a lot of other things that were showing up but I had to move them down the list. I have a certain amount of working hours, in which I want to maximize my efforts, and I’m committed to shutting down when my kids come home so I can attend to their needs.

We all have services and products that could make a big difference to the people we serve…if we offer them. However, if you’re not getting your offerings out there, your customers can’t benefit. You don’t get to make the difference you want, nor do you receive the money you deserve to be paid. I feel very strongly that you owe it to yourself to never put yourself in that situation.

The great thing about committing yourself to what’s important is you also teach your children a valuable lesson. Chances are you’ve talked to your kids about the value of commitment. This is one of the reasons a lot of parents sign their kids up for sports. You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t hit a home run, if you don’t step up to the plate.”

But here’s the thing, the commitment you show in your life as entrepreneurial moms is going to have a greater impact on your kids than what they learn in Little League. Take a moment and reflect on what lessons you’d like to help your children to learn. Model that same commitment in your life and you’ll inspire your children to do the same. You’ll also see momentum building in your business as you finally get your important projects off the ground.

FYI – On Thursday October 15th at 1 PM EST, I’ll be sharing more on how to get things done in my F*REE teleclass – Get It Done 101 – How to STOP Procrastinating and Tackle Your BIG Ideas with Confidence…So that You Can Make More Money and Help More People! Grab your seat here right now: http://metromom.com/gidcall .

This month I’ll be hosting two F^REE calls to support you as parents.

First, next Wednesday September 9th I’ll be interviewing Geanine Thompson, the College Guru on The Must-Have College Admissions Information You Need to Support Your Child Into Getting into the School They Want!

Preparing for college admissions can be daunting but it’s not something you want to procrastinate. Geanine helps parents understand the admissions process and how to help their children get into the college of their dreams. She’ll share…

- When It Makes Sense to Get Started
- The Current Admissions Environment — Ragingly Competitive or Media Hype?
- The 3 Most Important College Admissions Mistakes to Avoid
- What Every College-Bound Student Should Know

Here’s the link to sign up for this call: http://metromom.com/college

Then, on Friday September 18th, I’ll be interviewing Deb Burdick, the Brain Lady, on A Holistic Approach to Raising Successful Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Deb not only raised a child with ADHD; she’s helped hundreds of clients with a holistic, step-by-step system to help parents of children with ADHD.  She’ll share how to:

- Figure out if your child really has ADD/ADHD
- Approach treatment in a holistic way
- Understand how sleep, diet, exercise, TV, medications impact a child’s brain
- Make sure you take care of yourself
- Determine how to know if your child is successful

Here’s the link to sign up for this call: http://metromom.com/ADHD

I’ll be recording both of these calls, so even if you can’t make them live, sign up and I’ll send you the recording.

Here we are in the middle of summer and there are moments when I’m really enjoying myself and others when I’m really stressed. If you’re like me I swing back and forth between the two. There are moments with my kids where I wish summer would never end and there are those times when school can’t start soon enough!

Every mom can appreciate the extra stress of summer vacation but for work at home moms it can be even more challenging. Most of us can’t afford to put our businesses on hold for three months. So what can help us manage our business while we still enjoy the summer with our kids?

Here are some summer vacation tips that I’ve found helpful:

Banish Guilt – Don’t waste your summer feeling guilty. You can’t do it all (be it every work project and every activity with your children) so for your own sanity stop expecting yourself to. Focus instead on being grateful. The gratitude stems from acknowledging your opportunity to work from home and run a business that brings your joy and income while spending quality time (even if it’s not tons of quantity) with your children.

Focus on Your Priorities – Since you can’t do it all it’s important to have real clarity about which projects you’re going to focus on, so your work is streamlined. Personally, I’m using the summer to focus on two key projects – my new Get It Done Coaching program and my Telesummit Blueprint System. With my kids at home much more than during the school year, my focus is either on them or one of those projects. Summer’s not a good time to take on other activities that don’t matter. Wait until fall, set clear boundaries for yourself, and say NO to what doesn’t support you.

Plan Activities -Take a look at classes and camps that are available during the summer. I’ll be honest here, I’ve usually sent my children to camp but this year, with my husband being out of work, the decision to send them to camp had us in a quandary. Can we afford to send them to camp? Can we afford NOT to send them to camp since we got a lot less work done with them at home during the day? (We opted for sending them a little less than previous years).

If you decide to forego a summer camp, there are usually activities in your local area like swim, tennis or art classes. This does require driving time but it will give you and your kids a little break from each other. You may also want to trade play dates with other moms or get grandparents to take the kids on some special outings.

Develop a New Routine - Figure out what work schedule supports you best during the summer. Maybe you’ll want to get an earlier start or stay up late so you take advantage of the time your kids are sleeping later (if they do that). I’ve been bringing my laptop onto my porch so I can watch them outside when they play. Kids are more likely to cooperate if they know what to expect ahead of time. For example, will your kids cooperate if they can count on you working just until noon everyday and taking them swimming afterwards?

Put Them To Work – Get your kids involved in your business. This is a special advantage for work at home moms. Kids think this is fun and they’re more likely to be supportive of your business if they’re involved! My kids help ship out my monthly membership CDs and absolutely love using my postage meter. It’s all just a matter of thinking what tasks are age appropriate and fun for them.

Limit Screen Time – Be strategic about screen time - which includes TV, movies, computer and video games. Sometimes it’s okay… but it shouldn’t be the only option available to your kids. Instead make a visit to the crafts store for art supplies or go to the library so everyone always has something new to read. For littler kids, find or buy some building toys (like Legos) and make a “dress up box” with some of your old clothes.

Let Them Be Bored – Finally, resist the temptation to rescue the kids when they say they’re bored. In our busy on-the-go world we sometimes forget that boredom often leads to creativity. Let them know you have confidence in their ability to figure out how to spend their time.

I hope you find these summer vacation tips helpful. As hectic or frustrated as you might feel, summer usually flies by! Be grateful for the flexibility you have as a work at home mom and enjoy this special time to bond with your kids. Jump in the pool with them, ride bikes or grab a book and read under a tree!

Are you a work at home mom with some tips on how to survive and enjoy summer vacation? Please share!

Metromom’s Relationship Expert Dr. Patty Ann Tublin shares more tips for surviving summer break in the Metromom Connection Café – click here to read more or feel free to ask your own question. (The Connection Café is available to members of the Metromom Community. If you’re not a member of Metromom’s community – please click here to join.)

We hear about teamwork all the time. For you to be successful in any joint venture you have to get everybody feeling like they’re part of the team. The same is true with your family – everything runs more smoothly when you function like a team. This is especially important when you’re a work at home mom since your family is often involved in your business.

The first step is to make sure everyone in your family is involved and participating. Maybe have a family council meeting. Sit down and say, “Here are all the things that need to be done every week in our household. Which ones would you like to be in charge of?” Then make a chore chart so everybody takes turns or can pick things they’re good at doing.

You should also make sure everyone understands what the goal and payoff is. In business you know everyone is always thinking, “What’s in it for me?” Your family is the same way, in order to be behind something they need to know what’s in it for them.

For example, are you saving money so you can have a family vacation or move to a better house? Do your kids know about these objectives? Make sure they understand that you work to help support your family. When your kids understand that, you’re encouraging them be a part of your team.

Finally don’t forget to celebrate as a team. Celebrate with your family for reaching a goal, whether it’s saving money for your vacation or getting all of your chores done this week. You can do it inexpensively. Maybe take them out for an ice cream cone or get off work a little early and take them to the park to play on the swings together.

Plan together, work together and celebrate together and you’ll start enjoying the benefits of family teamwork. If you need more tips download my interview of Debbye Cannon, the BusinessMom Mentor on “How to Keep Your Family from Imploding While Your Business is Exploding!” She shares fantastic tips on ways to create smooth rhythm in the home and office so you can replace stress, chaos and clutter with serenity and prosperity.

I’m a big believer in showing my kids what I do professionally, and use any opportunity I can come up with to include them, whether that’s helping me type up blog entries (which my 9-year old son loves to do) or using my postage meter to send out CD mailings.

Fortunately, my local news station in New Haven CT, keeps inviting me back. The timing’s worked well for each of my three children to participate separately and see what it’s like for mommy to get all wired up, and have the commotion of the cameras, buttons and different stage sets. This morning I brought my 6-year old son Dane with me while I was interviewed by Chris Velardi about how women can best utilize the web to grow their businesses. While I don’t think Dane focused on the content of the interview as much as where we were going for breakfast afterwards, I know that these messages are seeping in.

I was at a party recently sharing my business with some new friends and was asked, “Does your husband support all that you’re doing?” I was so happy to be asked that question because he’s been amazing through my Metromom journey.

I’m the high-idea generating, big picture thinker with a real entrepreneurial spirit. I imagine that it can be hard to be married to me sometimes. But, he sticks with it. He’s always there to listen to my ideas, cheer me on and possibly even come on board to work with me shortly.

When I was just getting Metromom off the ground finances were tight and we were fully dependent on his salary and a line of credit. I remember asking if he felt comfortable with what I was doing and still believed in it, or was the pressure too much. Did he want me to just get a “JOB”? Fortunately, he said that I should absolutely keep pursuing my passion. He was confident that things would work out.

I am so grateful to have that kind of support. Metromoms don’t think of their venture as a part-time business or a hobby. We live and breathe the business, day and night, week in and week out. Having a spouse that supports your vision makes a tremendous difference. Please post a comment and share with me the support you’ve received from family members in your entrepreneurial endeavors.