Finding the Time
When I decided to shift to my niche, I asked readers to leave a question for me to answer in a blog post. It’s my way of encouraging a discussion and exchange of ideas and tips. The first question/comment comes from Jeanine aka NaturalMomma. Here is what she had to say:
Hi Kristina!
I have a question. How do you find enough time in your day for homeschooling and writing and meals and …?
I am making a bit of a switch, myself, in that I am wanting to write more, work one-on-one with clients less all in an effort to (1)live my purpose and (2)take my biz to the next level.
But as I have begun to spend more time writing mini-books and blog posts and reports and email follow-up messages, my son has begun to hate my computer!
Jeanine
My immediate response to Jeanine was a short reply which read, “You are not alone”. I stand by that still. You are not alone Jeanine no matter how it feels. Before becoming a work-at-home mom, I worked full time as an English teacher (9th grade) and for my daughter’s first year, I was also finishing grad school. I was a wreck. I left the house at 7:30 am and returned home most nights after 9:00 pm. On the nights that I was home earlier she was in bed by 5:30-6:00 EVERY NIGHT! I kid you not. I barely saw her and I was miserable.
After making the transition to WAHM I thought that life would get easier. I thought that I would have more time for her, but when you work from home it is even harder to draw boundaries at times. I was working 40-50 hour weeks trying to build a… Continue reading
Know the Facts: Google Was My Frienemy
I’m a bit of a knowledge junkie. If I hear something new or see something that I am unsure of, you can bet that it is only a matter of time before I am on Google searching the depths of the Internet for as much information as I can find. In fact, when we lost our first daughter Samantha after going into preterm labor, I searched every where to learn more about this thing that was supposedly responsible – an incompetent cervix. I learned that the diagnosis was ambiguous and not necessarily a cause for our loss. Suffice it to say, I also learned about tons of other reasons behind my loss.
So when we got pregnant again 2 years later, I had my eyes glued to Google. I learned what questions to ask at my first prenatal appointment and what to expect from the cerclage that I would have to have at 12 weeks. I also learned how to survive my 5 month bed-rest and the hyperemesis that lasted for much longer. I even learned about my breastfeeding options.
Unfortunately, I also learned about other things as well. I learned about the extreme situations when cerclages were botched or labor started before they were removed. I learned about some of the most extreme cases of infant mortality and kidnappings and of babies being switched at birth.
I was a mess because as much as I knew that most of the events that I read about were not very common, I also knew that these things were possible. I asked my OBGYN about hidden twins and demanded that the hospital show me their security system for the nursery. It was so bad that my OBGYN and my Perinatologist begged me to stay off of the Internet.
Information can be… Continue reading
Suave, Take Me Away
Yes, I know that line is usually connected to another product, but I have never felt like that after using that stuff. It took a shower with Suave® Naturals Body Wash Apricot Exfoliating Shower Gel to get me uttering those words. See, I am a bit of a shower snob. While I love the scents of body washes and such, I usually stay away from them because my skin is very dry and sensitive. Not to mention that I have severe allergies and most fruity, flowery scented things irritate my asthma symptoms. So, when BSM Media offered me the chance to try out a few of Suave’s products, I was a little hesitant.
But oh how things change. The Apricot Exfoliating Shower Gel is like a mini-spa in a bottle. The scent is soft and pleasant and my skin felt smooth. After using it in my morning shower I was rejuvenated and my body was awake. Suffice it to say, I did not experience any side effects either- no dry patches and rashes like I normally get from some of the more expensive items. And even the Cocoa Butter with Shea Lotion was a pleasant surprise. It was thick and provided my feet, hands, and elbows with the coverage needed to stay moisturized all day long.
Now I have to be honest with you- I don’t normally pamper myself. In fact, showering on a daily basis is usually my rest and relaxation time, but even then, I am usually rushed by the constant “Mommy. Mommy. Mommy…,” calls from my toddler. I barely get a chance to take in the fragrance of the soap before I have to jump out to manage some 3 -year-old catastrophe. But Suave® and Holly Robinson-Pete are encouraging moms to take a few minutes… Continue reading
Love, Hugs, Peace Movement at Build-A-Bear Giveaway Winner
Well, I had a very disappointing turnout for my giveaway this time. I am going to chalk it up to summer being very busy and people not really having time to enter contest. yep! That had to be the case. At any rate, thank you to all who entered. I placed all four names into Random.org and the winner is:
Janet Carpenter
Janet, please contact me by Wednesday August 19 with your mailing address and I will send out your gift card right away.