Many people consider their mothers as the most important person in their lives. Mothers are there when their children are young to help them learn to read and get ready for their prom when they reach their teenage years. They are also there when their children have their first born and when their hearts get broken. It is important to find the perfect birthday present for mom because it’s a small way of showing our appreciation for her love for us.

If you are searching for a birthday present for mom, then it may be a good idea to base your gift ideas around things that she finds appealing. We make the mistake of choosing a birthday present for mom that is something we like too often. Of course, our mom will smile nicely and tell us how lovely it is. That’s just what our moms do. You should think about the things she really enjoys and then fashion a gift around that.

Many mothers love to have a day of beauty. They may not indulge in a manicure, pedicure or massage, although they will regularly go for a hair cut and style. An entire day at a spa would be a wonderful birthday present for mom. You can throw in a taxi ride to bring her there to make her day more relaxing and stress free. She’ll spend the day feeling like a Queen which is exactly what she deserves.

If your mom loves to stay in shape, then you can think of countless ideas for presents for her. If you give her a gym membership, she will have a chance to get out and work-out with others. Exercise clothing that will allow her to look great while she keeps her heart and body healthy will also be a nice birthday present for mom.

Purchasing twelve gift certificates is also a fun and thoughtful gift idea. Each gift certificate would come from a different local restaurant and she could use them once a month to have a lovely dinner out. I think that all mothers would think that this is an ideal gift. If you consider restaurant gift certificates as a birthday present for mom, then she’ll certainly love you for it.

You can pick out a birthday card once you’ve found the perfect gift. In my experience, homemade cards are always the best regardless of the age of the sender. The most treasured birthday present for mom might be a homemade card that tells her exactly how you feel about her. I preserved the cards that my children made years ago and I can guarantee that your mom will keep a homemade card you made forever.
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I am a SAHM. That is the acronym for my job. I have been doing this for three years. I have expressed desire to start working again, and I am sure that will happen…eventually. However, I now completely accept my current gig without reservation. I no longer feel the need to talk to others about future career plans. I no longer fear stigmatization or stereotyping. It has been a long time coming and I am pretty excited about it. After all, whenever I do start working for money again, I want to be able to look back on this moment and know that I enjoyed it 100%.

What is life like for a stay-at-home parent? It differs in each individual case. It varies based on the number of children and their respective ages. It varies widely based on what the spouse is like, if indeed there is a spouse at all. Admittedly, it varies dramatically based on income level. Uniformity is no fun. As the French say, “vive la difference”! The key is to like what you are doing and take ownership of it.

My SAHM job goes a little something like this: I have two boys 19 months apart in age. The oldest is just shy of three years and the youngest is nearly sixteen months old. Both boys are active and healthy. They are now fully capable of moving most of our furniture. They are both able to open the fridge and pull out its contents. My husband and I have decided not to gate them in. I do a lot of running around. I chase them to feed them. I chase them to stop the floor lamp from breaking. Occasionally I clean up broken glass at warp speed. I change a lot of diapers. These are the unglamorous aspects of the job.

Now for the glamorous parts: my boys nap each afternoon for 2-3 hours. I have roughly 15 hours per week of childcare. I personally manage my own household. My husband gets home at 6:30 p.m. each night and we all have dinner together. My husband is a very involved father who is constantly supportive of me and the boys. I give a lot of love to my family and receive so much love in return. These gifts are incredibly luxurious and I do not take them for granted.

The naptime is hugely glamorous, allowing me a chance to read, write, meditate and catch up on whatever needs to be done. I never had a 2-3 hour break during my former jobs. Then again, I wasn’t on duty from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. I still count it as a luxury.

My childcare provider is an enormous help and is now like a member of our family. She has known my youngest from birth and she calls us when she is not with us to check on our boys. I can trust her completely and she is a good friend. My children get to benefit from a third caregiver and all of the variety that she can bring to their upbringing. I don’t know if I think “it takes a village”, as Hillary Clinton says, but I am of the philosophy of “the more the merrier!” Sometimes I am able to spend time with one or another of my children while she takes the other one to do something fun. Other times I clean the entire house, or go to a doctor’s appointment without two toddlers. It is a luxury that makes me a calmer, more centered mother. Additionally, my husband and I get a date night twice per month. I feel like someone in the MasterCard commercials: “Childcare? Priceless.”

How is it glamorous to personally manage one’s household? Well, let’s see: I get to choose what we eat, how it is cooked, what we wear, our standard of cleanliness and the routine of our days. I feel like that is a treat, but that’s my perspective. I would rather pay for childcare than for a housekeeper, because I am picky about housework. I like to be able to walk barefoot on my floors and not feel any sand from the sandbox. I don’t like dust on the ceiling fan blades. That is luxurious. I can’t get that from a bi-weekly housekeeper, and probably not even from a weekly one. I also find cleaning to be an exercise in mindfulness. Buddhist and Catholic monks and nuns garden, clean and cook to gain a clearer mind and a better spiritual perspective. Mindfulness is a beautiful practice and housework, if done mindfully, can be quite therapeutic.

Having dinner together as a family on a regular basis is becoming old-fashioned, it would seem. I can’t praise this practice enough. I look forward to dinner all afternoon. Our oldest tells Mom and Dad what happened at pre-school, Dad tells us about work, and the one year old squeals to drown us out. Food gets thrown all over the floor and the mood is generally festive. The happiness of the boys is measurable as they have the attention of both parents. It is a wonderful ritual, and in our society, it is glamorous due to rarity.

The icing on the cake is the support that I receive from my husband. He does not resent the fact that I stay home with the children. He never belittles me. I don’t see how he could have the time to be unfaithful, like the fictional fathers in “Mad Men.” He does exceptional professional work and is fully engaged with us at home. He respects my intelligence and my goals and we are full partners in all that we do. I feel more liberated now than I have ever felt as a woman.

What is it like to lack a respected career? Honestly, my opinion on this aspect of stay-at-home parenting continually evolves. I have forgotten how to use attorney timekeeping software and I couldn’t tell you about the latest and greatest regulations from the SEC. I don’t wear suits and heels and blow-dry my hair every day. No one calls me on my cell phone to yell at me at 9:00 p.m. when I am with my husband. Just this week, a doctor said to me, “It is a shame for you to waste your education. You must have worked your ass off in school.” Actually, I didn’t work my ass off. I love school. I could be an eternal student. Staying at home with my kids allows me to pursue a lot of interests that I never had time for previously. Do I care what others think about my life choices? I used to care. I used to care too much. Formerly, I lived my life in pursuit of approval. Now, I live my life in pursuit of survival, love, enjoyment and stability for my family. The best part is this: right now is perfectly acceptable, and anything can happen in the future. You might say I can’t put these years on my resume? I will always be so much more than a resume could ever represent. This is true of every stay-at-home parent and I believe that opinions are turning in our favor, irrespective of the importance we place on opinions!
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First of all…you rarely get to sleep through an entire night, you’re up at 4:00 a.m. [because it's not worth it to try to sleep another hour, after feeding and putting the baby back to bed].

You make the coffee, and turn on the news…enjoy the few minutes you have to yourself.

The rest of the day is laundry, cooking, cleaning, running errands–all in between wiping butts and noses, being the peacemaker, storyteller and teacher.

Checking homework, making sure projects and reports are done…need a dozen cookies for tomorrow…

Overnights, parent/teacher conferences, basketball, volleyball, track.

Nurse, shoulder to cry on, listener, instructor…
I didn’t say there wasn’t time to play… I just said that it wasn’t easy.
I eventually went to work outside the home, too.

I benefited from that, because I got to socialize more with adults.
@Lorax… I spent the weekends browning ground beef, frying bacon and making waffles, so that I wouldn’t have to do it in the mornings.

I also prepared meals like lasagna, chili, spaghetti sauce…things that you just had to heat up after work.
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I was on the Art Linkletter (House Party?) show when I was 5 years old (1967) and have paid for it every since. I’d really love to find a recording of “my” episode. I told him that my mother went to PTA meetings and got drunk. Needless to say, my mother didn’t think it was as funny as everyone else did.

To add insult to injury I was interviewed by a local news network when Mr. Linkletter came to my town. The network agreed to get me in to explain to him my mother is not a lush. They interviewed me after I cleared this matter up with him. They, however, edited the interview before airing it and the result was, 17 years later, I apologized for my mother being a drunk. I just can’t win for losing.

I’d really LOVE to find that episode. My kids have never seen it even though they’ve heard about it their entire lives. I’m certain my grandchildren will too. Thanks for any help!!

P.S. She did get drunk at a PTA meeting. It just wasn’t an everyday event and I was ONLY 5!
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Couples sometimes neglect opportunities to amicably resolve disputes when involved in the emotion and stress of separation and divorce. This is especially true in matters of parenting and child custody. If the two parties are willing to work together and avoid the courtroom, mediation can be a more favorable option, but in many cases, both parties feel strongly that they are the more suitable parent. In such cases, parties rely on an impartial judge to decide the case based on the facts. Before taking your child custody case before a judge, know what factors help you build your case, while avoiding pitfalls.

Building Your Case

The only guarantee in a custody battle is that no one truly wins. During trial, the opposing party will attempt to pinpoint aspects in which you may have seemingly failed as a parent, even when you believe that you have done the best job possible. When you have made poor choices in some areas, your hope is to convince the judge that those choices do not prevent you from being viewed as the best caretaker for the child(ren). The following steps can help as you prepare your case for custody:

1) Know your role

Simply wearing the title of “mother”, “father”, or “grandparent” will not hold weight in the courtroom. Be able to prove that you are the better parent. Aside from a title, you will be expected to define your role in the child’s life. Consideration will be given to the amount of “waking time” you spend with your child on a daily basis, so be prepared to discuss what you do on any given day or weekend with the child(ren). Providing an account of meaningful experiences that you have given your child(ren) will only help your cause.

2) Keep good records

Possessing a strong feeling of love and responsibility for your child is not enough. When preparing for a custody trial, make an effort to document what you do for your child(ren). Be prepared to give an account as to how much financial, spiritual, educational, emotional, and physical support you provide. It may be wise to keep a journal noting instances that you think your attorney or the judge may find helpful. Judges are more interested in what you do, as opposed to hearing an account of what the other party does not do.

3) Do your homework – literally.

If your case involves school aged children, know that questions may arise related to school performance and attendance. Being able to demonstrate a history or pattern of positive involvement in your child’s education is a plus. Good indicators include Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) involvement, attendance at parent-teacher conferences, and a record of communication with the school related to your child.

Pitfalls

After a brief overview of ways to build your case, the following list represents situations to avoid if possible:

1) Do not assume

Never assume that the judge will favor you over the opposing party due to gender, financial stability, or any other surface related factor. Custody is simply about the question of which party provides the child(ren) with the likelihood of growing up in the best environment. Custody is a matter of character.

2) Playing the blame game

Many have heard the saying, “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies even closer.” In custody matters it is important that you not seem overly critical or fault finding toward the opposing party. Both parents have a stake in the outcome of the case. If it appears that you are unwilling to work with the other party or consider his/her needs, the judge may view this negatively. Besides, if the case is not decided in your favor, the other party may be more willing to accommodate your needs if they feel less attacked during the custody process. Remember, it is more about what you do as a parent, and less about what the other parent does not do.

3) People in your circle

Not everyone who has access to you needs to have access to your child(ren). Far too often, parents are judged by the company they keep. Involvement in numerous or unstable friendships and relationships can negatively impact the way a judge views your ability to provide a safe and stable environment conducive for raising children.

4) Habits that die hard

In a custody case, the past will return to haunt you. It is not okay to be dependent upon or casually accustomed to drugs and alcohol. Nothing speaks more toward losing a custody case than drug, sexual, and/or physical abuse. Again, these issues speak to the character of the individual, and judges frown heavily upon such negative habits.
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My daughter is in the 3rd grade. She will be 9 this month. There is a boy that just moved to our school and he pretty much thinks his stuff doesn’t stink. That is a quote from my daughters teacher. Well last week I was shown a note that the boys were passing around with several poems on them They all started with Roses are Red and ended with What he wants to do with her. Starting with kisses and ending with Sex! Yes you heard right. They are in the 3rd grade. Last night while at a PTA meeting one of the ladies asked me about their date Friday night. I said “WHAT” and she began telling me about a note she found in her son’s backpack. OMG. This little creap is telling so many lies and these little boys are believing him. Well the teachers said they were handling it but I took it to the Principle. She doesn’t have any kids. She told me my daughter would always get attention like this because she was so well liked and so beautiful. What it is her fault that these boys are little monsters. They are in the 3rd grade. Then I told her today about the other note and that it had me up all night. She said I was blowing it out of proportion. I said “This is my baby girl” UUGGHHH.

The school counselor has spoken to her to let her know that she doesn’t need to have a boyfriend at this age and the boys were told to leave her alone.

I sure hope this stops. What would you do?
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Believe it or not, potty training your child can be an educational, rewarding, and exciting experience for both you and your child! Learning about potty training your child will provide some great ideas and useful tips that every parent wants. Some of these tips were passed along to me from friends that have children, and many I have learned on my own. Either way, you’ll be thankful to have these ideas shared with you when your child arrives at the point when they are ready to learn how to potty train.

Rewarding your child with praise is the most important aspect of potty training a parent can utilize. If you don’t remember any other thing from this article, remember this tip. As with any other form of training, praising the good creates a memorable moment that the child will remember, and will thus strive to continue to do good. Therefore, focus on the times when the child uses the bathroom correctly, and reward them. Making a large deal out of the positive moments and neglecting the times when the child slips up and does not use the potty will remind the child to use the bathroom correctly in order to be rewarded, and ultimately have fewer and fewer mistakes.

To best potty train your child, there are a few rules you may want to consider following:

1.) Familiarize your child with the bathroom. This will allow the child to become comfortable in the bathroom environment and will be able to focus more on using the bathroom correctly and less on their surroundings.

2.) Utilize a Chart or Dry Erase Board to track your child’s progress. This is another type of ‘reward’ for the child, and something for them to look forward to and work towards.

3.) Focus on the times when the child uses the bathroom correctly and make a large production out of this activity. However, do not focus so much on the times when the child uses the bathroom incorrectly.

4.) With growing health concerns, be sure to teach your child to wash their hands every time they use the bathroom, whether correctly or incorrectly.

Children have a tendency at certain ages to mimic what they see their parents do. Therefore, it is practical to allow your children to come into the bathroom a few times and watch you use the bathroom, so they will have a better understanding that this is the correct way to use the bathroom, and that everyone does it. The child will also be prone to trying this activity on their own and each time they need to use the bathroom so they will be more of a ‘big kid’.

Making the child feeling comfortable in the bathroom can also be accomplished by allowing the child to decorate their potty training chair when it is initially purchased, and by incorporating a few of the child’s belongings in the bathroom. Creating a familiar environment will allow the child to focus more on the task at hand.

A child must be at a point in their development when they are able to learn to potty train. A certain level of prerequisite learning is necessary in order to be able to comprehend the idea of using the bathroom correctly. This is important to understand because if you attempt to potty train your child and the child does not seem to be able to grasp the idea of potty training, this is no time to be alarmed. The child may simply not yet be ready to potty train yet, and trying again in a few weeks will usually prove successful. So be patient with your child and don’t become overwhelmed or impatient if your child is not able to successfully potty train with your first attempt. Remember to stay positive and keep trying!
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I am now a stay-at-home mom, but I used to work. I’ve been home for a cpl months now. My kids used to be SOO well-behaved, but now they are IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with. Bottom line, I feel like I am failing as a mother. I can’t control them at all, my 3 yr old doesn’t listen at ALL, and he always used to very well. My 18 mo old is going thru a stage where he’s just basically distructive, whenever I’m in one room cleaning up a mess he made, he’s in the other room making another one. I mean, syrup all over the carpet, couches, etc… green marker all over the walls, bed, door, himSELF… I put up a baby gate, he tears it down. I drill holes in the doorway to ensure the baby gate can’t go down, he still finds a way… I lock doors, he figures out how to open them! And worst of all, they are CONSTANTLY FIGHTING! All I hear all day is crying and screaming! I LOVE staying home with my boys, more than anything in the world. Everything was GREAT forever, but now, Idk, if they’re going thru a phase, or if I’m doing something wrong? What can I do to alleviate stress in the middle of a VERY STRESSFUL day, to recoup and handle my children with sanity?
Their only other caretaker is their dad, my husband. He started a new job and went back to college, so we basically swapped.
I feel like I DO all these things. They get time outs for the min/yr ratio. They know what to do in time out. I ask THEM what they (well the 3 yr old) did, and he tells me. I play with my kids every day. They have a regular schedule. I thought to myself, they need mental stimulation, so I read to them, I teach them about colors and shapes. They do arts/crafts every day. We play games like hide and seek. I take them outside when it’s warm enough, bc I thought, they’re not getting enough exercise….. this is the norm for me, for us. They just started acting out, and I can’t figure out what’s different. Maybe I do MORE with my kids than my husband did when he was home with them? You’d think they’d respond more positively.
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There are many ways to advertise without putting out a lot of cash. Use these tips to your advantage. Modify them and make them your own. Just remember that the only way to succeed with your business is to do something.

No one has ever found success by doing nothing.

1. Put your website on notepads, pens, newsletters, bumper stickers, coffee cups.

2. Flyers – When you buy your morning newspaper, slip some flyers into the rest of the newspapers.

3. Business cards (You can make up your own or get them free through VistaPrint)

4. Article marketing is one of my favorite method of advertising. If you write articles and then use a service to publish them, your articles become viral.Your articles will spread like a virus and could have the potential to be viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

5. Participating in online discussion forums is an excellent way to get the word out about your business – and it is free. Build relationships first and use your signature file to let everyone know what you do and who you are.

6. Free classifieds

7. Targeted ezine advertising is one of the most cost effective ways to advertise your business.

8. Paid ads – such as solo ads. Test, test, test. Your success depends on your ad and your heading!

9. Mail out postcards.

10. Purchase leads that are targeted and related to your business. If possible get their phone number and followup.

11. Bookmarks for libraries, don’t forget to talk to your librarian first.

12. Purchase cheap seed packets, put a tag on them with your website as well as a saying like, I am in the business of helping people grow.

13. Use your knowledge and publish a newsletter or ezine. One your build up your list you can offer paid subscriptions or ads.

14. Word of mouth (friends and family)

15. Forwarded emails – Add your testimony to your signature line.

16. Buttons

17. Pens to hand out with a short advertisement and your URL.

18. Welcome baby cards for hospitals.

19. If your domain name is a string words, try capitalizing each. This helps people who just take a quick glance remember it.

20. Create an information type handout that briefly explains your business.

21. When you go to a garage or yard sale, ask if you can leave a few of your flyers there.

22. Community Colleges. Every student needs a part time job.

23. Put a business card in all outgoing mail including anything that has a postage paid envelope.

24. Visit establishments you do business with (doctor offices, health food stores, karate/dance studios, etc) and ask if you can leave flyers.

25. Car magnets – You can put magnets all over your car.

26. Promote your business for free in local magazines, newspapers, community newsletters, etc. Many rely on voluntary writing contributions. Translate your knowledge into an article. It is free advertising and an effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field.

27. Leave your business card in restrooms at restaurants or on cork boards around grocery stores.

28. Get a booth at school events and share what you offer.

29. Look into putting an ad in school sponsored publications (directories, PTA booklets, etc). Usually not to expensive.

30. Set up a free giveaway box in any store that will give you permission.

31. Post flyers at apartment complexes if they will allow it.

32. Place flyers under windshield wipers of cars.

33. Newspaper classified ads are cheap and effective. Ask about having your ad appear with a color background to make it stand out even more.

34. Buy a pre-inked, personalized stamp and put your ad on it. Stamp the back of any envelopes that you mail out.

35. When it comes to advertising and marketing, repetition plays an important part in your campaigns success.

36. We all get junk mail with the postage paid envelopes. Just send a flyer back to the company and use their return envelope.

37. Personalized T-shirts

38. Make up Gift basket raffles for Church bazaars, concerts held during summer, at your local community hall, or any town function. Do not forget to put your business card or some other advertisement in the basket.

39. Put flyers on car windshields at your kids sporting events.

40. Leave a business card with your tip for your waiter/waitress.

41. Reply to spam email with your own business advertisement.

42. Give your business cards to friends and family and ask them to give them out to people they know who would be interested in part time income.

43. Put up flyers at the local colleges, libraries and grocery stores.

44. Ask your local chinese takeout if you can post a flyer in their window.

45. Create a post it stack of your business cards with a glue stick and then post them at pay phones, etc.

46. Business cards with a magnetic back really stick in people’s minds as well as on their refrigerator.

47. Leave business cards by the change machine in the mall arcade or at the ATM machine.

48. Put your website address on your sun visor using vinyl letters.

49. Find an old metal tin (or new), put a magnet on the back, put your business cards in them and then just attach this to your car when you go into a store.

50. Be different and get noticed. When you are unique then you are one step ahead of your competition.

There are many ways to promote your business without spending a fortune. Think outside the box. Most people notice things that are different, something that draws their attention or even makes them laugh.

Keep it simple, keep it cheap and before you know it your success will be achieved without going broke.

Copyright 2007 Joe Rispoli
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