September 7, 2016 As the season starts to turn and the leaves begin to fall, it’s a great time to do a little home fall cleanup. Where do we get all the stuff that clutters our homes, and why do we hold on to it, anyway? Experts say if a possession is not useful, beautiful, valuable,…
September 8, 2016 Moving is never fun, but a long-distance move with kids can feel overwhelming for everyone. There’s something surreal about the moment when you’ve secured housing and a moving truck. It’s a combination of excitement and raw, unadulterated fear. You know there’s a new adventure waiting for you on the other side but…
September 20, 2016 Instead of sending your kids to school with the same snack day after day, why not let them create their own healthy, homemade trail mix? Who know—if they make it themselves, maybe they won’t trade it away! What to Buy Head to your local wholesale food store or a place like Sprouts or…
September 15, 2016 For nearly two years, we thought maybe my daughter was possessed. It felt like every interaction consisted of a sneer and a critical comment. Our family started to wonder if she’d somehow swapped bodies with an angry badger. Then it happened. She started her period. And everything changed again. Here’s the weird…
September 12, 2016 If you are considering going back to school, there are countless options for furthering your education. You can get an additional degree, enroll in an online certificate program, take continuing education credits, or get a license to practice in a specific area. Before you make a decision, ask yourself a few basic questions. Can you…
June 5, 2021 Life is short—yet many of us spend time wondering what we should do with our lives, rather than actually going out there and trying. As hockey legend Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” It’s important to actually strike out and follow your heart—even if…
September 26, 2016 Summer is over and we’re entering the fall months, which means most people have the holidays on their minds. Instead of splurging last minute on gifts and travel plans, why not get yourself into good financial shape now? This way you will have adopted healthier habits before the heavy spending period begins. Here…
September 29, 2016 A few days ago, I drove by my grandfather’s old house. He passed away quite a while ago and another family member lives there now. But the house made me think of him. I smiled over specific memories: the way you could always hear him coming because he whistled when he walked, how…
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October 27, 2016 Work is increasingly demanding for most of us, and it’s likely that your boss asks more of you, often requiring you to learn new skills and multitask. Since it fills so much of our time, a positive and supportive work environment can make all the difference, which means that getting along with…
October 13, 2016 Halloween is just around the corner, which means it’s a great time to check out some seriously spooky movies! If you enjoy being scared, there are excellent titles at the box-office this year to deliver a delightful fright. (Note: check ratings because some of these films are definitely not for children!) These three…
October 28, 2016 Let me preface this by saying I feel my kids are plugged in way too much. I try to offer different options and alternatives, but with two teens and a 10-year-old, sometimes it’s them against me. Sound familiar? Here are a few ways to encourage your kids to ditch the electronics for non-virtual…
October 19, 2016 A few weeks ago, when some friends and I were venting about the chaos of raising kids, dodging hormones, and generally just surviving until their eighteenth birthday, my friend told us about her easy-going child who occasionally sits on the couch and melts down. What struck me about her comments wasn’t that…
October 24, 2016 On any Monday, you can find us shuttling off to swim where my daughter has been on the team for over a year. She settled on swim after two disastrous seasons of soccer, a few dance classes, a hula class, boot camp, and several other failed attempts to find a form of exercise…
November 22, 2016 If you are a parent today, chances are you can remember a time when we didn’t have cell phones, handheld computers, devices, gaming consoles, and everything else in between. Nowadays, these items are everywhere and, while technology has done many, many good things, it’s important that we remember to unplug once in…
November 7, 2016 We all have that friend. Every time you turn around, she’s getting a free coffee or taking her kids to an event with cool take-home gifts or running to deposit yet another rebate check. I finally asked that friend how she does it because, frankly, she’s an expert. Forget expert. She is…
November 15, 2016 With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving right around the corner, the time to embrace autumn is rapidly coming to an end. I admit I’m kind of a purist. I love the season and want to savor it until December, despite the fact that Christmas decorations started appearing even before Thanksgiving this year. But…
November 25, 2016 This fall season passed with all the subtly and speed of a runaway train. I can’t believe that we are staring the holiday season in the face. I recently found myself thinking about all of the things I have—and haven’t—accomplished in the last two months. Then it occurred to me: Thanksgiving hasn’t even passed and…
November 18, 2016 With the election over (whether your side won or not) many Americans felt exhausted and beat up. We still do! Collectively, many of us wanted to unplug, relax and escape—even if for just a few hours. Where to do that? The movies. Last weekend’s box office was up 56 percent from last year, according to…
November 23, 2016 Who am I? And, is that who I should be? With my oldest son graduating college and my teen daughter trying to navigate high school, these are questions that have become front and center in our family. Heck, it’s a question I still ask myself from time to time. The animated film…
December 5, 2016 It’s the holiday season again. Deck the halls. Hang the stockings with care. Roast the chestnuts. Traditions are everywhere. You probably have a variety of activities you do with your kids. Our family has several traditions: everyone gets new pajamas on Christmas Eve, for example, and we always go out to see the Christmas lights. I was…
December 3, 2016 This article is sponsored by Mattel. It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time to buy gifts for all the kids on your list! Barbie® is a toy that never goes out of style. Kids, young and old, love Barbie and her ever-growing line of clothing, accessories, and products. Our Social Moms…
December 12, 2016 With so many retail options to choose from—both online and in-person—it can be challenging to decide how, when, and where to purchase toys this holiday season. Thanks to promo codes, apps, and purchase incentives, even if a toy isn’t on sale, you can still find a way to save. If you’re helping…
December 6, 2016 This post is sponsored by Mattel. With the holidays nearly upon us, I keep begging my children to put together their gift lists. I like to get my shopping done early, but I never know what’s popular now and what gifts are going to stick through December and into the new year!…
December 9, 2016 This post is sponsored by Mattel. The holidays are here, and it’s time to buy those last minute gifts. My favorite age to shop for is preschoolers; younger children aren’t picky about their clothes or electronics. They just want bright wrapping and toys to have fun with! Our Social Moms are very…
December 14, 2016 A friend recently described her approach to buying holiday gifts. She does everything a very particular way in order to feel good about the presents she gives. Our discussion got me thinking about how I approach gift-giving. I realize I also have a particular perspective when I choose what to give others….
December 15, 2016 We are already well into December and many of us are still struggling to finish our Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, it can be really hard to find good deals when you’re fighting the crowds. The solution? Shop online at these retailers and stack coupons like a pro to get the gifts that you want…
December 19, 2016 All year you pass your co-workers in the hall, catch up for a few minutes in the break room, and try to put your best foot forward when collaborating on projects or interacting in meetings. Nothing can threaten all the good karma you’ve built over the past 12 months quite like the office…
December 21, 2016 You hear it everywhere you go: “I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas!” Time always seems to fly when life gets busy. Chances are your emotions are running from panic when you consider your to-do list, to frustration when you try to find parking at the mall, to excitement about get togethers with family…
December 20, 2016 Who are the most powerful people at the multiplex? Your kids. Family and superhero movies took the top 10 spots in the list of this year’s highest grossing films. It’s a trend that’s been on the rise since the turn of the millennium—around the time Harry Potter, Shrek, Pixar, and Tobey Maguire’s…
January 5, 2017 One of the first things that people think of when they’re trying to cut their expenses is to start using coupons. While couponing can be an excellent way to save a few dollars on your grocery bills, if used incorrectly they can have you spending more each week. So, how can you…
January 12, 2017 In the last round of parent-teacher conferences last year, I heard my daughter’s teachers use the term growth mindset. You may have heard your children’s teachers (or your children themselves) talking about this approach as well. But what exactly is a growth mindset? It refers to psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on how people…
January 10, 2017 Many of us vow to limit holiday spending, then get so wrapped up in the season that we spend money we simply do not have. If you’re dismayed by the size of your holiday bills, know that you are not alone. According to Bankrate.com, the average consumer needs about six months to…
January 5, 2017 There is SO much to look forward to this year–live-action Disney, giant robot battles and superheroes galore! It’s noteworthy that a time when the real world is becoming a scarier and darker place, Hollywood will battle good versus evil in a more comforting and familiar way with sequels, spinoffs, and remakes of…
January 10, 2017 Typical science textbooks or programs will tell you that Einstein received the Nobel Prize. That Marie Curie was the first woman granted a physics degree from the best college in France. Traditional education focuses on the achievements and accolades of famous scientists. Meanwhile, it’s a general trend that as students advance through middle…
July 1, 2011 I’m always talking to people about different ways they can expand their brand or business on the web. If you’re not using social media, you are missing out on potential customers for your business, or potential readers for your blog. Sometimes businesses put too much thought into whether or not they need…
July 6, 2011 We are in the midst of conference season. And that means a lot of travel. If you are planning any trips for conferences, training, or even vacation, you want to make sure you have everything you need to get work done—whether you’re at your cozy desk at home or not. These tips…
July 7, 2011 As a mom, you’re busy. Entire websites, print publications and support groups evolve to support your noble mission: “Operation Bring-Up Baby.” You dote, you rock, you encourage. No matter your style, you are placing all of your energy into the people you are producing. No doubt, it’s a daunting task. When actively…
August 1, 2011 Congratulations to the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! Check out Wonder of Children Blog, written by Lisa Dewey Wells, from Annapolis, MD. Her journal about life in the classroom is full of stories, strategies and research on how to best support the kids in our lives. It’s been recognized by several child development…
August 4, 2011 A quick Google search confirms my suspicions. All the dangers of Facebook for kids – from cyber bullying to sexual predators to misbehavior that can impact a child’s college admissions and more – do indeed exist. A similar search, one that seeks what is good for teens about the world’s most successful social…
August 4, 2011 Blogging has become widely popular as a way to share information, network with others, create a brand, or build a list of followers. Mom bloggers, the world over, are generally on the look-out for ways to improve and grow their blog. And since you are reading this article, I imagine you are…
August 9, 2011 Working from home can offer moms the best of both worlds – a thriving home business and the ability to be there for their kids. However, to keep both worlds at their best, there are five things that work at home moms (WAHMs) should NEVER do: Never lose track of your time. …
August 29, 2011 Being a working mom can provide great fulfillment. The opportunity to earn money in a field that uses your skills and knowledge can be rewarding. Also, working in an office environment gives you the opportunity to network with others and possibly form lasting friendships. However, if the desire to become a work…
August 23, 2011 Wouldn’t it be great if you had a best friend in every top travel vacation destination? Someone who could take you to their favorite places, the ones that never make it in to a guidebook so you could travel like a local? The Internet can connect you with local flavor before your…
August 10, 2011 The hacker group known as Anonymous posted a video today, promising to destroy Facebook on Nov. 5, 2011. The group said the purpose of the attack is to revolt against Facebook allegedly selling or sharing information with governments, and the lax privacy controls Facebook offers consumers. The group has claimed responsibility for…