Study: Many moms are making infants dumber w/ TV & DVD's

It wasn't long ago that Baby Einstein DVD's were attacked & now studies say TV viewing of 2 years and under is dumbing down America. Social, motor, behavioral, cognitive and neural skills are being hurt by TV and DVD. On 5/5/08 Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine study released figures that mothers were not interacting w/ infants at TV time.

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Tips and Tools

As we draw closer to mothers day, I think it only fitting to post about things that will help all mothers, stay at home, working, both, ect...

Here are some good links where moms can go for ideas, help, information, support or to vent.

Working Mom Support Group
Get Advice, Share Stories & Connect With Working Mothers Just Like You

Working Mother
Based on the magazine, provides businesswomen with tools, knowledge, and industry connections.

Stay At Home Moms Meetups, events, clubs and ...
Stay at Home Moms Meet nearby ! Come to a local Stay at Home Moms Meetup for friendship and reassurance, parenting and career advice, stories and fun.

Money saving ideas for frugal stay at home moms

Ideas, resources, and job opportunities for stay at home moms

Money tips for stay-at-home moms - TODAY 101 - MSNBC.com

Oct 10, 2007 ... Sharon Epperson, author of "The Big Payoff," shares financial advice for women who take care of their kids full-time, or are thinking about ...

New Mom Tips – Advice for Moms – Fun Ideas for Moms
Get advice for moms and new mom tips with Mom.LifeTips.com. Learn about traveling with small children, activities for moms and children, easy money saving ...

Kids' Tools for Searching the Internet
A page of search input boxes from web search engines that have compiled and/or screened sites for content appropriate to children.

Children Tools: Elementary Grades

Children Tools: Elementary Grades. Kids Meeting Kids Organization Links and information concerning human rights for children. Kids Search Engine ...

There are so many places to find tools and tips on the internet. I have tried to cover a few different areas to give you an idea and a place to start.

Overall the best thing a mother can do is find some sort of support group - that could be family, friends, neighbors, local community or all of the above. If you don't have someone to talk to you just wont make it.

Teacher Appreciation Day

This week May 5 - May 9 is teacher appreciation week, but today is the official Teacher Appreciation Day. Do you remember your teachers, did you remember your children's teachers? Luckily you have the rest of the week.
I had a few memorable teachers in my life. My fifth grade teacher was a very kind and caring teacher. I had a great English teacher my freshman year of high school. I am looking forward to some great teachers for my children. There are so many times in the world today where only the bad get noticed. Why is that, wouldn't it be better to recognize the best teachers and let them know they are appreciated for teaching, caring and helping our young children grow and learn.
So I say THANK YOU to all my teachers I had throughout the years, they all deserve credit in some way or another without them I wouldn't be the person I am today. Teachers touch our lives everyday. Thank your teachers today.
Check out this Teacher Appreciation site with many different ideas to show you care.

ShopPBS.org -- Your purchases on ShopPBS.org help PBS continue to provide porgramming that educates, inspires, and entertains!

5th Annual MommyFest

Who's ready for a Party????
Come Join the 5th Annual MommyFest Blog party. Its coming up really soon (better late than never). MommyFest will be May 12 - 16, 2006. It will be a great way to network with other moms and have some fun. You might even win a prize or two while your at it.
You could even hold a contest of your own and get more visits to your blog. Check it out.

Stressed or Balanced

When your life seems out of control and you've got endless demands tugging at you from all directions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, fatigued - and just plain stressed! Well doesn't everyone feel this way. Is that what life is these days? Okay maybe it's not suppose to be this way. But what can I do about it, I have taken on the job of parenting (you can't send them back) and wife, and to live in this current world and economy you gotta find ways to make money.

Believe it or not, balancing your life does not require massive changes. You don't have to quit your job, abandon your family and escape to a remote retreat in order to feel peaceful and happy. In fact, true balance is something that starts WITHIN YOU first and foremost - no matter what else is happening in your outer life circumstances.

Below you'll find three simple ways to begin building a greater sense of inner peace and harmony: I know we may have heard these before, but sometimes it's good to get reminded of how to cope once in awhile. Atleast take the time to site back relax and read the suggestions (there's 2 minutes of peace right there).

1) Quiet time.

One of the first things we tend to sacrifice when we're busy is our personal time. Instead we devote all of our energy and attention to caring for others, multi-tasking, meeting responsibilities and "being productive." Over time this depletes our energy and we begin to feel more and more burdened by our responsibilities. I would have to agree, I have been run down lately.

To live a more balanced life, quiet time to yourself is CRUCIAL. You may believe that you don't have any time available for yourself, but something amazing happens when you consistently MAKE time; you find yourself feeling happier and more energetic, your focus improves - and you still get plenty done! Just a few minutes spent sitting quietly in meditation or reading a book can do wonders in transforming stress into peace and happiness.

2) Self-care.

Beyond making time for things you enjoy, there are other ways to nurture and love yourself on a daily basis. Getting a full 8 hours of sleep (or as much as you personally need) is a great start, as well as eating nutritious food, exercising daily and speaking kindly to yourself.

Have you ever noticed that when you're really tired or stressed, even the smallest problem can seem like a nightmare? On the other hand, when you're feeling well-rested and centered, you're much better able to handle upsets. Caring for yourself is one sure way to consistently replenish your energy, inner peace and joy - which means you'll have the strength to handle whatever comes your way. This one is a big one for me, I always feel better after a nice shower and I get time to do my hair and makeup, a shave once and awhile is the ultimate.

3) Flexibility.

Did you know that one of the biggest causes of stress is rigid expectations? We all do it from time to time; get a mental picture of how our lives "should be" - and get really annoyed when our outer circumstances don't cooperate! One of the biggest gifts you can give yourself is a flexible state of mind. In other words, learn how to detach from unrealistic expectations and go with the flow.

When you have a flexible mind-set, you're able to deal with crises and problems much more easily because you're not working against a preconceived notion of how things "should be". You're able to tap into your creative problem-solving skills and move through challenges without all the drama and frustration. Be like the tree that bends with the breeze - and you're much less likely to break!

These inner changes can make a dramatic difference in your state of well-being, but you may also want to examine your outer life circumstances and see if there are other small changes you can make to help support your inner work.

For example, you might choose to let go of certain obligations that are no longer meaningful or enjoyable to you. Just because you agreed to host weekly meetings for a support group three years ago doesn't mean you have to keep doing it forever - especially if it's become a drain on your time and energy!

Be willing to let go of activities that no longer complement the lifestyle you desire, and you'll create a space for greater fulfillment, joy and peace.

Lets work on this for a month, cause it takes a month to make a habit and I'll update you all on how more balanced I feel.

Rebate Checks

So the questions are being asked what are you going to do with your rebate check?
Starting May 2, some 130 million U.S. families and individuals will be getting tax rebate checks from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The are being sent out by the main (first) fillers SS#- not a half bad system.
The IRS says it began Direct Deposits of Rebate Checks Monday morning, to people whose Social Security Number ends in 00 through 20.
SS ends with 21-75? You'll get your deposit starting Friday May 2nd.
SS ending in 76-99? You'll receive yours starting Friday May 9th.
The stimulus payments will go out through the late spring and summer.

BUT:
How do you complain if your rebate is incorrect?
Your best bet is to check the IRS website. Use their online calculator to figure your rebate. Still feel the check is wrong? Email or call the IRS. But be prepared to wait, if you are trying to get through by phone.

Again after you receive that money, what are you going to do with it?
Will you go shopping?
Some grocery stores are offering extra money if you use it to purchase a "gift card" for that particular store. I received a flier from Jewel today offering me an extra 10% on that gift card, but the minimum amount $300.00. Groceries is something I always need and spend money on anyways.

What other companies will offer deals? Who wants your money the most?

My mother wants to use her check for vacation (how about Disney). I wish!!!

How about putting it away for a rainy day, or maybe use it to make others happy - give big tips, have a dinner party, take your kids, spouse, partner out for the day. Tomorrow April 30, 2008 is Baskin Robins 31cent scoop night, you could take your whole block.
So many ideas and yet still not enough money.

Family Time

My family (husband and children first) are the most important thing to me. Sometimes that means putting them first.

Raising your kids may be a bit difficult at times. Generally speaking it is a wonderful experience to see that your kids are growing. Also, that they are learning new things with each passing day. The love I feel as a parent keeps on growing. I will always have unconditional love for my kids. But raising the kids is not always easy. It is a very emotional relationship that exists between the parents and the kids, but it has a very non-emotional side to it. Raising your kids mean that you have to arrange the amount of money which is needed to afford a life of at least reasonable standard for your kids. It also means that you have to educate them. When it comes to learning at school, not all kids are very fond of it. Many children can be very difficult when it comes to sending them to school. People bear such things as they raise their kids.

Raising your kids means that you earn for your kids, you feed them, you give them proper education, and you give them all the love and care they need. You also have to protect them from the good and bad of society. You have to be there for them. Raising your kids is a wonderful experience and most of the parents agree to this statement. People love to have kids as the children add color to their lives. Children are a very important part of a family.

How can I earn for my kids and still be here for them, I keep going back to this topic as I believe it relates to many out there. As the kids start to get older you start to think about what you are going to do with your life. I don't want my children to see me sitting around, or doing without because I never go back into the working world. We have given up "things" with me staying home, and we have to start thinking about college and such. I have to start thinking about giving back. But what?

I have started doing surveys which has made me some money and I have gotten some useful samples to try and I actually get paid to record my shopping purchases along with getting paid to read emails from inbox dollars and send earnings.

As I continue to look for the best ways to make money online, I will keep you informed.