Brought to you by
Me Time Contributor
Debi Silber
themojocoach.com

Feeling a sense of control is important to your health, self esteem and well being. It helps us feel strong, empowered and in charge of our lives and the way it’s unfolding. While a sense of control is beneficial, too much control often leaves us micromanaging everything and everyone in our path. Are you micromanaging? Do you need to oversee everything and make sure it’s all done your way? Is it unsettling for you when things aren’t done to your exact specifications? Besides taking on an enormous amount of extra stress, you’re probably making things more difficult for everyone in your path. If this sounds like you, it’s time to stop micromanaging, learn to delegate and let it go. First of all, consider it from your children’s perspective.

Let’s say you ask them to make their bed. The cover may be pulled up but it’s not tucked in with military precision by any means. You’ve asked them to handle the bed making task, it doesn’t meet your approval so you decide to remake their bed. What message are your children receiving while you’re satisfying your need for a perfect house? They’re probably feeling like their efforts aren’t good enough which discourages them from trying harder while diminishing their self esteem. Here’s another example.

You’ve asked your husband or partner to go food shopping in an effort to share the workload. So far, this is a great plan. He comes home with every concoction of sugary, fatty junk food that can be found on the supermarket shelves. What do you do? Maybe you decide that he simply can’t get it right so it’s yet another job you’ll have to do. Who are you punishing here? Yes you’ll bring home some healthier options, but how about providing him with a specific list and hoping for the best? Your first option only leaves you with more work, frustration and unhappiness while he’s off the hook and wishing you could simply ask for what you want.

This next example is something way too many moms can relate to. What happens when your child comes home with a complicated project that’s due in a few days? Is it really their project, or has it become yours? Of course you want your child’s project to be completed, nicely done and timely but many moms feel that if their child’s work will be seen in or outside the classroom, it needs their decorating touch. There are a few things going on here.

The first thing worth mentioning is how does your “involvement” affect your child? Sure the project may look award winning by the time you’re through but consider the long term consequences. Your child will be doing hundreds of projects during their school career. As they grow, the time involved, difficulty and requirements will only increase. If they’ve never had an opportunity to take full responsibility for their work, their effort and their time, how will it affect them later on? Picture your child in college. If he or she never had to take responsibility for their own assignments during school because you were always on hand to help, think about how this abrupt change of events will affect him or her now. Chances are, it will be a rude and uncomfortable awakening, leaving your child frustrated, overwhelmed and anxious.

Next, take a look at how it affects you. First of all, if you have more than one child, multiply the extra project time by how many children you have. If you have a few children, you’ve just given yourself a part time job!

The trick with ending micromanaging is to delegate the task and then let it go! Sure it may not be perfect or exactly the way you want it. But try to ask yourself this very deep, spiritual and philosophical question which can only be answered after careful though and consideration. Ready, the question is…..who cares? Chances are, no one cares but you. So for your health, well being and sanity, stop micromanaging; learn to delegate then let it go. Not only will you be happier, but so will everyone else.

Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC
Debi is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition, a Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, Lifestyle Expert-just for moms, speaker, President of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc. and author of The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best and From Mom To Wow: Your Ultimate Body, Mind and Life Makeover Guide. Debi’s branded The Mojo Coach TM because for nearly 20 years, she’s inspired unfit, overweight and overwhelmed moms to “get their mojo back” through gradual lifestyle change. www.themojocoach.com

Send your Mind on Vacation This economy doesn’t always support a fly-away vacation to white sandy beaches where your troubles are washed away in the rolling surf. Carve out 5 minutes and think of a place you have visited that brought you peace and tranquility. Close your eyes and visualize all your muscles relaxing. Picture yourself in your favorite spot and take in all the sights, smells, and sounds of that wonderful place. Enjoy the feeling of pleasure that comes your way from “visiting” your vacation destination!

Embrace your Youth! Think of all the things that you did as a child that gave you joy! Go to a park and swing, climb a tree or play dress-up. Grab some friends and go to an amusement park, do cannonballs in the pool, have a squirt gun fight, or grab your bike and go! Find something that brings you cheer and laughter… giggling is GOOD!

Shake  Things up and Push your Boundaries Stop saying “I’d like to do that someday” or “I don’t think I could do that” and JUST DO IT. Jump out of a plane, scale a cliff, go bungee jumping, set a goal and start training for your first 5K, 10K or marathon.

Take a Step into the Past Looking at old pictures of family and friends can give you comfort and take you back to happy times in your life… so dig out those old photo albums and thumb through them.  If you are one of those ladies that has stored bins of pictures or have a portable hard-drive of digital pictures that haven’t been printed – GET TO WORK SCRAPBOOKING. You can do this in the solitude of your home or enjoy this project in the company of friends or family.

Take a Walk of Gratitude Grab your sneaks and head out the door to re-energize! With every step repeat “I’m thankful” in your head and tell yourself something that you are thankful for in your life, whether it’s family, friends, relationships, work, health, reaching your goals etc.  You’ll be shifting into a positive energy gear in no time!

Enjoy a Girls Night Out Create a GNO experience! A girls night doesn’t have to equal dinner, cocktails and dancing… Try something different! Attend a professional sporting event, go visit an art gallery, museum or theatre or attend a wine/cheese tasting.

 Host a Girls Night In Although you can enjoy the latest chick flick and wine etc… Think out of the box! Enlist the help of a local expert and try something new! Learn to make jewelry, host a scrapbook class, have a clothing and accessory swap or enjoy a low-cost spa/makeover party.

Remind yourself all year long of the importance of “Me Time” by purchasing a Me Time tee… check out special deals via our Me Time Matters eNewsletter, our Facebook Fan Club page and Twitter @metime

	Brought to you by Jennifer Jolly jenniferjolly.com

MAKE A LIST AND SET YOUR BUDGET

>> http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com: It’s a good idea to know what you need to buy and how much is available to spend before you go shopping. The site helps create a budget. The site also has a handy Back to School Calculator designed to help you and your kids determine school-related expenses, make necessary adjustments to stay within budget, and then hit the stores.

SURF AND SWAP FOR FREE STUFF

>> http://www.zwaggle.com: great for musical instruments. You pay shipping and handling.

>> http://freepeats.org: great for sports equipment and other stuff. You pay $5 for freepeats, but they are a good network in 25 cities (including SF)

AVOID COUPON CLUTTER/LAYER DEALS
One of the hardest parts about trying to save money is spending hours scouring fliers and websites for coupon deals, but some stores have really gotten smart about this.

>> Another secret here is that you can layer on savings: find something already on sale. Then if you can get an even deeper discount – you’ve successfully layered some big savings.

DO NOT PAY RETAIL!

>> Google search with the name of the retailer and type in “coupon code.”

>> http://shopittome.com: Sign up for free – this site sends you “salemail” to your email inbox whenever what you want goes on sale. I bought my daughter this Ed Hardy shirt – got it for 75% off, these sparkly converse shows, I saved 50% — paid about $25 total for these hot finds.

>> For computers, go to http://www.newegg.com or http://www.amazon.com for great deals.

USE CASH OR CREDIT?

http://www.billshrink.com: Most of us don’t put much thought into how we’re going to pay for these back-to-school purchases – just throw it on any credit card that has space? Use our debit card? If you use the wrong credit card, you might end up eating all these great savings by paying too high of interest and fees. Billshrink.com can help people find these low interest credit cards. If you don’t pay your bill off every month, BillShrink can likely find you a better rate than you’re paying now. If you do pay your bill every month, make sure you use a card that earns you cashback. They have several listed on their site.

LUNCHBOX LESSONS

>> Don’t buy juice boxes or bottled water – use a re-fillable water bottle and save as much as $400 a year!

>> Stock up on basic ingredients for your kids’ such as meats that can be remade into a variety of kid-friendly lunches. For example, grill up some chicken breasts on Sunday and pack them a healthy chicken sandwich on Monday, chicken strips with bbq sauce dip on Tuesday, a grilled chicken wrap on Wednesday and so forth.

>> Look for family-pack portions of poultry and meat at your local grocery and you can freeze individual pieces to last you weeks for an entire month of budget-friendly lunches.

About Jennifer Jolly
Jennifer has been deeply embedded in consumer and lifestyle media for the past 15-years as a broadcast journalist, TV Host, guest columnist and PR advisor. Her popular TV segments, print and blog articles cover the very things most moms (and just about everyone else) are talking about today: Fabulous Freebies, How to Live Large on Less, No Sweat Workouts, Simple Tech to Save Time and Money, Valentines: Free Love, Spring Break Specials, More for Mother’s Day, The Skinny on Workout Wear, Summer Savings, Hi Tech Fitness Gadgets, Living Limber, and much, much more!www.jenniferjolly.com

Towards the end of summer, moms begin to think about the upcoming school year. While the summer may have meant lazy days without schedules or routines, the school year brings about something else entirely. Shopping for school supplies, instilling earlier bedtimes and a few last sleepovers are all being crammed into the next few weeks but at some point, new schedules, routines, clubs, play dates and commitments will all begin.

Brought to you by Me Time Contributor Debi Silber themojocoach.com

Think about how things went during the last school year. Were you stressed, overextended and overcommitted? You can follow the path you took last year and if it worked for you, that’s great. If it didn’t work for you however, you have another choice. The choice is to reevaluate the decisions you made previously, keeping what worked and changing what didn’t.

Each time you stop and reevaluate, you give yourself an opportunity to come up with a better strategy. You give yourself a chance to think about your values and what really matters most to you. Most importantly, you send a powerful message to yourself and those around you that your happiness matters too. So let’s say that you were overextended and overcommitted last school year. How can you make a change?

First take a look at when you say “yes” and “no”. Chances are you’re saying “yes” to a task you’d rather not do leaving you to say “no” to things that would bring you greater joy, passion and purpose. Here’s an example. Your daughter has a classroom performance and she’s counting on you being there. In order to get there on time, you left work early, ate in the car and returned phone calls during the drive. You race through the doors of school where you’re stopped by an acquaintance who asks you help out at the next PTA fundraising event. Your thoughts are on your daughter and the look she’ll have on her face if she doesn’t see you this minute so you end the conversation quickly with, “yes.”

After the performance you hug your daughter, race back to work and realize that you just added a few extra hours to your already overly extended lifestyle by saying “yes” when your mind, body, and soul were all screaming “no.” Why did you say yes? Maybe you felt guilty that you haven’t participated as often as some of the other moms. Maybe you were afraid that you’d be accused of “not being a part of the team.” Maybe you felt you’d be disliked, rejected or perceived as selfish if you didn’t say “yes” and finally, maybe you just don’t know how to say “no.”

What are your priorities? While they may include many things, spending time with family is often found somewhere near the top of the list. If quality time with your family is important and taking on another commitment will only leave you with less time for those you love, is saying “yes” in the best interest of you, your family, your values and your priorities? Saying “yes” to another time stealer leaves you saying “no” to something else that could have been fun, enriching and fulfilling.

Many moms say “yes” to avoid the confrontation or look of surprise they may receive if they say “no.” For these moms, it’s easier to take on the extra work than deal with the perceived unwelcome response or “wrath.” Here’s a thought. Yes it may be uncomfortable for a minute or two. You may feel tense, stammer and wish you were anywhere else. But that feeling is fleeting and the freedom you’ve retained by staying true to your values lasts much longer.

Many moms believe they’ll be perceived as mean, selfish or “above it all” if they say “no.” First of all, if someone is going to criticize, judge and critique you and your behavior, do you really care what they think? Secondly, is it mean or selfish if you use that extra time to cuddle with your kids, go on a “date” with your husband or catch up on some extra sleep so you’ll have more patience, energy and clarity? Lastly, you are your children’s greatest role model. They look to you to see how to feel, act and behave. If this extra commitment leaves you feeling stressed, overwhelmed and overextended, is this the way you want your children to always see you?

Many moms just don’t know how to say “no.” Maybe it just sounds too harsh or severe for you so a more subtle approach may work better. If this is the case, how about something like: “I need to think about it and get back to you.” This is a great way of buying time so you can make a clear decision after thinking it through. Another option may be: “I’d love to, but I have too much on my plate right now.” This is a straightforward, honest response that few moms can argue with. A final option may be: “Now’s not a good time but when I’m able to help, I’ll let you know.”

This approach keeps the door open for future requests while remaining true to your priorities and yourself. As the kids go back to school they will have another year to learn, grow and evolve. If we choose, we can use the opportunity to “go back to school” and take some lessons in self growth and development ourselves. This school term, let’s work on reevaluating old habits and unhealthy behaviors in order to help ourselves, improve our relationships and become the empowered moms we’d always hoped we’d be. It’s time to go back to school. Let’s make it a great year!

About Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC
Debi is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition, a Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, Lifestyle Expert-just for moms, speaker, President of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc. and author of The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best and From Mom To Wow: Your Ultimate Body, Mind and Life Makeover Guide. Debi’s branded The Mojo Coach TM because for nearly 20 years, she’s inspired unfit, overweight and overwhelmed moms to “get their mojo back” through gradual lifestyle change. www.themojocoach.com

	Brought to you by Maris Callahan www.ingoodtasteblog.net

Whether you’re picnicking with the family or turning a sunset picnic into date night with your spouse or significant other, there are a few key elements that will make your outing simple and satisfying. You can even save preparation time – and use that extra half hour for a second glass of wine.

Rain, Rain, Go Away: If an unpredicted afternoon shower rains on your parade, don’t let it bring you down. Spreading a blanket or mat on your living room floor can be just as fun and spontaneous as a picnic in the great outdoors. If you’re entertaining the kids, dim the lights and take turns telling jokes or ghost stories. If you’re picnicking indoors with a special someone, light a few candles for a romantic atmosphere.

Plan Ahead: If you’re making your meal from scratch, do the prep work at home. Wash and chop fruit and vegetables and assemble sandwiches ahead of time. If you’re preparing picnic for a large group, websites like GoPicnic.com offer a variety of shelf-stable, ready to eat boxed meal combinations made with organic and all natural ingredients – the next best thing to a homemade picnic. Healthy meals made up of ingredients like couscous, Wild Alaskan Salmon, vegetables, organic crackers and dried fruit.

Don’t Sweat It: If you’re spending the afternoon outdoors, be sure to dress for the weather. Though a picnic can be a special occasion, some parts of the country grow quite hot during warmer seasons. Wearing loose cotton clothing and drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion – and leaves you with plenty of energy for a game of Frisbee.

No More Brown Bagging: If you’re picnicking in a mountainous area and expect to be climbing some hills to or from your destination, there is no need to haul a heavy picnic basket. Instead, an insulated, eco-friendly tote like the Neela bag (pictured) can fit as many items as the average picnic basket and comes with a convenient shoulder strap for easy lifting.

Play it Safe: Outdoor dining can be pleasurable, but also leaves food susceptible to unknown germs and bacteria. “Pack plenty of ice in your cooler or picnic basket to keep cold foods cold, “ said Rebecca Houseal, registered dietitian. “Foods left out in the hot temperatures longer than one hour are likely to spoil and are best discarded.” And of course, practice handwashing as you normally would before meals.

Pass the Bubbly: If you’re sharing a picnic with a significant other and want to sip something a more special than cola, don’t worry about packing wine glasses and a corkscrew in your picnic basket. Some brands of wine and champagne are available in single serving bottles – and some in cans! Perfect for portion control, Sofia Minis from Francis Ford Coppola come in a petite pink container, offering ¼ a bottle of wine per serving ($15). They even have wrapped straws for sipping – perfect for a day in a park where glassware may not be permitted.

Maris Callahan: Since graduating from Susquehanna University in 2006, Maris has worked in the world of PR. While she began her career in the fashion/beauty industry, she now works in the consumer sector. She maintains a personal blog, In Good Taste, primarily about cooking, food and life. In her “me” time she enjoys running, knitting, yoga and a good latte.

Joan Lunden, longest running host of ABC TV’s “Good Morning America,” best-selling author, international speaker, and women’s health and wellness advocate, never expected the overwhelming response she received to an essay contest launched this spring whose winners would attend her women’s weekend getaway, Camp Reveille as her guests in August. 

Her web site, www.campreveille.com, was inundated with entries, including heart-warming stories from a son nominating his supportive mother, a mother seeking a respite for her daughter who is a Hurricane Katrina survivor, and hundreds of women who themselves felt in need of a summer camp getaway.

“It was too difficult to select a single, winning entry,” said Lunden, who ended up choosing five winners from around the country to join her for the women-only, long weekend getaway she hosts once a year on the grounds of Camp Takajo in Maine.

“This is a guilt free weekend,” says Lunden.  “If we want to be our best as women, we must take care of ourselves. That means taking a break from our demanding schedules to revitalize mind and body. Camp Reveille offers a chance for renewal, personal growth, and self discovery, but most importantly it’s time to relax and have fun! These five women are going to truly relish the Camp Reveille experience.”

The lucky winners include:

Andrea Bennett of Lynn, Mass., a physician’s assistant at Children’s Hospital of Boston and the highest ranking black woman in the Massachusetts National Guard. In December she will be deployed to Iraq. Andrea’s daughter, Aisha Bennett nominated her mother, Andrea, who has dedicated her life to her four biological children as well as three children who she took in and cared for over the years.

Catherine “Cat” Thomas of New Orleans, who was displaced from her home for three months in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and ever since, has juggled a full load including working a demanding hospital job in New Orleans, raising an energetic six-year old boy & her two step-children, and volunteering her time wherever needed, teaching her children about the importance of giving back. According to Cat’s mother, Mary Levesque, who nominated her daughter, Cat puts everyone else’s needs first including her mother. For the past two years Cat has cared for her mother in Oxford, Massachusetts throughout 11 surgeries.

Diane Ambrosio of Kings Park, Long Island, NY, a working mother of five children (16, 14, 13, 12 and 9) and a nursing school student, devotes her life to her family. Every moment is spent continuing her education, working, or making sure her family is cared for. Diane shared in her essay that her home and family, as well as her own physical and mental health, are suffering from her frantically busy schedule. Feeling constantly overwhelmed and guilty, Diane is the epitome of today’s working mother. Camp Reveille will help her re-charge and return a better mother for her family.

Gloria Pleasant of Maple Valley, Wash., was nominated by her son Kyle, a New York City-based musical theater performer. Kyle wrote in his nomination of his mother, “Joan Lunden has always been a tremendous role model and inspiration for my mom. My mother worked tirelessly to pay the bills, even filing bankruptcy to make the best life possible for our family and support my passion to be a performer. She taught me to follow my dreams, embrace my differences and never give up.”

Linda Kennedy Hassel of Redding, Penn., a grief counselor and mother says “my life has become my work as I believe that somehow I can be an anchor in the storm for many women. Yet, to do my best, I know I need to take care of myself – advice I give my clients, yet somehow do not take readily for myself.” Linda has found passion in her work after enduring her own share of grief and challenges, losing a daughter at age 10 from blood-transfused AIDS after battling leukemia from the age of two. Linda has raised three children and will finally have a weekend to take care of herself.

Camp Reveille runs from Aug. 20-23 in the lake region of Southern Maine. The idyllic location includes an active waterfront and beach, which offers swimming, sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, sunbathing, and banana boat rides. Women can enjoy a myriad of fitness classes including dance, yoga, Pilates, and strengthening or partake in traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, archery, a 50-foot climbing wall, beach volleyball, basketball, or tennis. During the four-day, three-night getaway renowned skincare line, Murad, sets up a luxurious spa for women to enjoy complimentary facials and massages. This year Joan will be offering one-on one nutritional consulting and dermatological full body checks for those who choose to sign up.

View related story: Joan Lunden, former Good Morning America co-anchor, accomplished author and busy mom of seven, touches the lives of those around her by inspiring them to live a healthy lifestyle.

To find out more about Camp Reveille, please visit www.CampReveille.com.

To find out more about Joan Lunden, please visit www.JoanLunden.com.

Part 4 of 4 (view previous articles in the series)
Moving forward after having the support for the last month can be as difficult as the initial challenge of making the time for “me-time”! So let’s make sure you have a solid plan in place for healthy habits to continue improving on!

Make sure you always know what you like to do for yourself, be sure to schedule it in ahead of time so it’s sure to happen and recognize if you’re still stressed out when the time is over. As you define how this happens in your day to day life try to make it as normal as breathing & before you know it – it will be!

Brought to you by April Welch simplyorganizedonline.com

As you evaluate the last few weeks of lessons ask yourself the following questions:

• Did I think I could actually accomplish “me-time” when I started?
• Have I found out things about myself that surprised me?
• What could possibly stand in the way of moving forward?
• Is there a system in place that I can rely on?
• What does Plan B look like?

Example: “I still remember the days when I wondered if I even existed outside of being “my husband’s wife” or “my kid’s Mom”. When I look back now I realize that I stopped taking care of myself & allowed taking care of everyone else to become my identity. Funny thing is, it doesn’t have to be one or the other.

I was among those who said “I don’t have time for me”, the truth was – I didn’t know how to have time for me. By stumbling my way through many trials and errors I discovered that some weeks I get in lots of things I love doing and others I barely stay awake long enough to think about what I missed! By establishing a system that worked for me (planning a month at a time) I found where I would have to just grin and bear it & where I could finally breathe. But I’ve always known that Plan B is either a “just for now solution” or a “WARNING sign” that is to be avoided at all costs – because I enjoy my own identity!

For those still lingering on finding their way:
In my early 20’s I worked for an airline, during one of our training sessions the question was asked “if you were on a plane that had lost cabin pressure while traveling with your child, who would you put the air mask on first?” I was passionate about my answer and debated that I would save my child before I would save myself! Then the instructor asked one of the most important questions I’ve ever been asked … “If you put the mask on your child & then pass out before you get yours on, who will be left to take care of your child?”

That moment changed a lot of things for me, including the priority I put on making time for myself – so I was the person I wanted to be for my family as well as myself.

I hope these 4 weeks have brought you practical advice as well as solutions you really can accommodate in your own lifestyle!”

Me-Time Assignment: Continue improving your systems until they feel like they “fit”
Do not let another week pass by without “me-time”

LaborKit is everything you need for the big day! ($55)

LaborKit™ hospital bags are filled with essential items to help new moms through labor, delivery and the first few months with a new baby. LaborKit™ was created to help moms be prepared and have the best birth experience possible.

To help plan for the big day, every LaborKit™ includes a Birth Plan, Hospital Checklist and Share the Joy Contact List. To help mom through labor and delivery all kits are filled with trusted brand name items like Lansinoh Lanolin, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Gerber Nursing Pads, and Pampers Swaddlers, and much more. All LaborKits are breastfeeding friendly and are packed in reusable canvas toiletry bags.

LaborKit™ is a unique and practical purchase for an expectant mom. A perfect baby shower gift for the mom-to-be that helps her prepare for the birth of her new baby. With four to choose from, there is a Laborkit™ for every budget. www.laborkit.com

Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too: It’s Good to Be a Little Selfish, It Actually Makes You a Better Mother ($16.95 – McGraw-Hill 2008)
This book is about taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. Through research—both academic and anecdotal—we seek to prove that life is better for everyone if mothers start respecting their own needs. It doesn’t take a lot of money or even a lot of time… it starts with small steps in the right direction. We interviewed 500+ moms in America and abroad so we could share their stories and tips from the trenches. We discuss mental and physical health in detail, and give encouraging and fresh advice.

Many stressed-out modern mothers try so hard to be more and more selfless—always putting themselves last on their to-do lists—when, in fact, the secret to greater happiness (for husbands and kids too!) is to be more selfish. We believe that parenting with energy, optimism and according to our own instincts is possible in this frenzied world! www.momstimeouts.com.

Care4Hire 1 Month Subscription ($29.99 per month)
This Mother’s Day do away with flowers, chocolates or anything ordinary. Why not really pamper mom and get her something she deserves – a break! Care4Hire.com is offering fantastic services to help mom with a cleaning lady, a trustworthy babysitter, or anything else her heart desires…

Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone. For more information visit care4hire.com

Mom’s Meal Mastery Session
Between work, children’s activities, and the demands of running a household, pulling dinner together can be a struggle. You don’t have to feel guilty. It’s challenging to get everyone together and serve a healthy, home-cooked meal, but it can be done. Learn skills to make enjoyable family meals a reality. Dinner Together offers a 30 minute phone session which will help moms:

• Create a crystal clear vision for taking charge of their kitchen and feeding their children to create more enjoyable family meals with less stress.
• Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging their family meal success.
• Leave this session, renewed, reenergized and inspired to take consistent action to make relaxed and happy family meals a reality for their families.

For more information visit the Dinner Together website.

Deluxe Scentsy Warmer and Scentsy Bars ($44)
Safe, Elegant, Fragrant, Long-Lasting! Introducing Scentsy, The Hottest New Thing in Candles! Scentsy bars melt at a very low temperature over a 25-watt light bulb in our exclusive electric warmers. Because they use no open flame like a standard scented candle, they pose no danger to children, pets or property when used properly. Scentsy candles are leadless, wickless, flameless and smokeless, and are available in over 80 exclusive scents.

Scentsy warmers are also more economical than jar candles. You can warm your favorite scents 24 hours a day, for a fraction of the cost. Each Scentsy bar lasts from 50-80 hours of “on time”. It’s also easy to change the fragrance whenever you’d like. Just pour the melted wax back into the bar container, wipe the warmer top with the paper towel, and drop in new scent cubes. If you like candles, you’ll LOVE Scentsy! Check out the Scentsy designs online.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire – 4 pack of passes ($28 value)
The museum is located at 6 Washington Street on the banks of the Cochecho River in downtown Dover and offers two levels of hands-on exhibits for children ages 1-12. Families can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. A special area on the second floor has been designed especially for children under age 4 to spark imaginative play. Visitors enjoy a uniquely New Hampshire experience, as all exhibits have been created by museum staff in conjunction with local artists and craftspeople. The museum also features two classrooms for field trips and birthday parties as well as a gift shop. Open year-round Tuesday – Sunday plus Mondays during summer & school vacation weeks. Visit the Children’s Museum of NH website for more information and current schedule of programs, classes, performances and family events.

Swarovski Crystal Personalized Koozie ($10 value)
Look super stylish while keeping your drink cold and your hands warm and dry! These Swarovski Crystal personalized holders are the perfect way to keep track of your or your child’s beverage. What a perfect gift idea for a birthday, wedding, teacher or the gal on the go in the gym. No more worries that your child is drinking from someone else beverage at a sports game or activity. Your child will be able to pick it out of the crowd.

Machine washable in cold water. Each holder is custom made to order with a maximum of 8 letters. Made from black collapsible Neoprene and your choice of Swarovski crystal color – crystal (clear), light pink, hot pink, light blue and a brushed silver or gold stud. Ships in 5-10 business days. Click here to visit online.

Me Time Tees ($24-29)
Me Time branded apparel is where fun meets fashion, and where you can identify with the important me time message among our many fashion top designs. From shopping to sunbathing, wine to dog walking and everything in between, we have your favorite me time activities covered. Our tees make a statement and will draw comments and smiles. We have 65 tees available online. In the coming weeks we will be adding coffee mugs, lounge pants and bling tees to our offering. Shop tees now.

If you need some help coming up with a design for your special someone use our Me Time Gift Suggestion Guide.

Mother’s Day Me Time Certificate (FREE – downloadable).
You don’t find much for free these days, but, we are here to change things. Give Mom the gift of Me Time. This can also be a nice simple gift for kids. They feel a great sense of accomplishment creating something special for Mom. Simply click on the certificate to the left. Print it out on fine quality paper. Fill in the certificate. Roll it up in a scroll and tie with a fancy ribbon. Be sure to arrange for a peaceful time for the gift to be carried out or hire a babysitter if needed.

Give the certificate alone or attach additional gift items like movie tickets, gift cards, theater tickets, a spa certificate or even jewelry.

Enter to Win the Fabulous Products and Services Listed Above in Our “Me Time Celebrates Mom” Giveaway.

A terrific compilation of 4 pampering products. As if these products weren’t enough, we In addition to the great products and services above we have assembled a nice Me Time Relaxation Spa Basket that we are going to include in our giveaway!

Me Time Relaxation Spa Basket ($75)
A compilation of 4 relaxing and rejuvenating products… perfect for a little pampering. Me Time “Relax” Scent Massage Oil which contains, grapeseed, sunflower, jojoba, sweet almond and avocado oils restore and soften tired, dry skin in a silky-smooth custom blend that glides along the skin effortlessly. This massage oil is 100% natural and fragranced only with the purest essential oils. Bath Fizzies that turn your bathtub into a lavish spa. Relax and unwind while the simple fizzing action releases cocoa butter and intoxicating scents to nourish, fragrance and soothe dry skin. Also included is Body Cream containing organic aloe vera make up the base for this ultra rich lotion. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, leaving behind velvety soft skin kissed with a delicate scent. And last but not least… Spa Eye Pillow filled with all natural flax seed and lavender. Eye pillows are used to provide gentle pressure on the face and temples for relaxation, meditation and sleep.

• Sign up to the Me Time Matters newsletter! Once you’ve become a member, come back here and let us know by leaving your name in the comment.
• Spread the word! Let your friends know about this giveaway – Twitter (hashtag #metime), Come back here and let us know!
• Join Our Facebook Fan Club (Me Time – http://groups.to/metime/) and invite your friends to join. Leave a comment on the discussion board, start a new discuss or post something on the wall within the Me Time group.
• Blog about this guide & giveaway. Post about this guide & giveaway on your own blog or website and come back here leaving the link in the comment box!
• Follow @aspainhower or @metime.com on Twitter! Once you’ve followed in twitter, recommend us by sending one of the following tweets.
  • Check out www.metime.com for Gift Ideas to Pamper Mom & Giveaway! #metime
  • It’s time to nurture your mind, body and soul. Follow @aspainhower or @metime. #metime
  • Please Retweet! Help your nieces, nephews, grandchildren create a special no cost gift for their Mom. http://metime.com/welcome-to-me-times-mothers-day-resource #metime
  • Or create your own tweet using the hashtag #metime
• Purchase a Me Time Tee.

Good Luck! Happy Mother’s Day!

Co-Authors
Susan Callahan
Anne Nolen &
Katrin Schumann
www.momstimeouts.com

You can start today, by taking it one small step at a time. Here are the top ten tips for taking time outs, gathered from mothers all across America.

Top Ten Tips from the Trenches

1. Steal Five Minutes – wherever you are! The next time you have five free minutes, grab it and do nothing. Get to a meeting early and sit quietly; try to forget that extra load of laundry; take a short walk; breathe deeply; pause. Being still allows you to reconnect with your instincts

2. Delegate… and Appreciate Let your kids make their own beds, and be OK with how they do it! If your husband makes dinner, don’t complain about the burnt hot dogs, but show gratitude. Give yourself a break by letting others help you

3. Your Health Matters Like clockwork, you take your kids for their annual checkups, to the dentist and to specialists, but over 50% of moms we talked to said they miss mammograms, doctor’s appointments and dental checkups for themselves! Make a master list on the computer of all your checkups, specialists’ names and numbers and dates for visits and then no slacking off allowed… Your mental and physical health is a priority

4. Sex is IN; Headaches are OUT! Commit to saying yes to your partner more often: Increasing frequency of sex from once a month to once a week improves happiness as much as getting a raise of $50,000 a year, according to a 2004 study in the National Bureau of Economics Research Working Papers. Intimacy with a loved one makes us come alive!

5. Curiosity—It’s KEY Pick up that magazine or newspaper in the corner and actually read an article! Get down to your kid’s eye level and listen to their stories. If you loved old movies as a kid, skip dinner out with your husband and head over to the local community theatre instead. Plug into the world around you to stay energized

6. Just Say No! Decide on your priorities and stick to them; you are in charge of your own calendar. Be prepared with a reason: “Sorry, I’ve already committed to something for my child/ my boss/ my family, maybe next time,” and then, be firm! Be proactive, not reactive

7. Strip Down to the Basics Try a spending embargo: Don’t re-stock your fridge for two weeks to clear out your pantry; re-use or inherit instead of buying something new; discard old clothing when you buy new. Clutter feels bad: simplicity feels better

8. Walk Don’t Run Slow down so you enjoy the scenery. If you usually take a shower, try taking a bath. If you’re always late, cut something out of your day so you’re early instead. Have a conversation instead of e-mail.Taking life more slowly is a conscious choice

9. A Blast from the Past What did you love doing as a kid? Eating ice cream? Running in the rain? Drawing? Figure out what you used to love, and invite it back into your life.Connect with what makes you tick

10. Shake Things Up! Wear three inch high pink stilettos. Go on a motorbike. Ride on a rollercoaster. Play a prank on a friend. Laughter always feels great.

Did you ever have an experience that made you say “there are truly nice people in this world?” Well, today started out as a stereotypical Monday… but suddenly with one unfortunate event everything changed! Here is how my day began:

• The alarm clock is going off in the pre-dawn hours so my hubby can make into work.
  
• Later I’m waking up tired kids after a long weekend of sporting events (so there was a lot of whining).
• Normal morning reminders are flying out of my mouth like they are going out of style: “Get dressed, brush your hair, brush your teeth, feed the pets, finish your breakfast, shut off that TV please, pack your backpack” (sound familiar to anyone yet?)
• I successfully get one child off to middle school and begin with the same morning reminders with my youngest child. Time ticks away and it becomes clear that my youngest is child (who has a reputation for being a little pokey in the morning) is going to miss the elementary school bus.
  
• My child gets in the van, I lock up the house, drive down the road and as I near the end of the street…. my van dies! This is the unfortunate event!
• I get my child a ride with a neighbor and my focus switches to what I’m going to do with this broken down van?

Here begins the “going above and beyond” part… I called a local auto repair business (one that I haven’t been to in a while, but, they are close by and offered towing services). The office manager explains that they are out on another towing call and it may be a while (so I’m envisioning hours going by before I see a tow truck) In less than an hour, a nice/polite young man arrives and tows the van away. Within a few hours I got a loaner vehicle from my parents (thank goodness for supportive parents willing to lend a hand) and begin my trek to work.

As I’m driving, I’m hoping the issue with my van isn’t anything major. Curiosity gets the best of me! So, I stop by the auto repair business to speak with a mechanic. As he begins to explain the the problem and solution, the office manager and the polite tow truck driver enter the room. The mechanic reassures me the problem isn’t major and although they had a pretty busy today, they’d have it fixed by the end of the day.

At this point, I’m breathing a sign of relief and I begin to walk out of the business office. As I did, I turn and ask “what time they closed so I can pick up my van?” to which they answered “5pm”. Oh” I said, “I’m not sure I will be able to make it back from work in time. What time do you open in the morning? I have an important meeting in the morning, but, maybe I can get here before the meeting or get a ride later in the afternoon to get the van before you close tomorrow”

At this point, the tow truck driver says, “I know your street, it’s not that far from here. We will drop your van off in your driveway, leave the key under the floor mat and lock the door.” I said, “well how am I going to pay you?” to which the office manager answered “we will leave an invoice in the van and you just come back tomorrow after your meetings to pay us!” Now that is SUPERIOR customer service! They just won my business for years to come!

Have you had an experience of extremely good customer service or courtesy that you’d like to share? Please leave a comment and share your experience!