tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106607475029770342024-02-19T04:20:20.000-05:0024-7 MommyFrom an overwhelmed stay-at-home mama, to a grateful freelance writer/yoga teacher/stay-at-home mama, the past ten years have been a real physical, emotional, intellectual and philosophical trip. I've shared many personal stories here at 24-7 Mommy and hope they'll remind you that you are not alone on this crazy parenting adventure. Please feel free to share your experiences...the good, the bad and the amazingly AWESOME!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.comBlogger480125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-69054531709151964172015-11-20T11:08:00.000-05:002015-11-20T11:08:05.669-05:00Why Buying a House in October Makes SenseYou have less than 11 months to get yourself ready to buy a house!<br />
<br />
Check out my LearnVest article on why October is the best month to buy a home:<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2015/09/why-people-buy-homes-in-october/">4 Reasons Why October Is Tops For Home Buying</a></b></i><br />
<br />
It also got picked up in <b><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2015/10/05/house-hunting-why-october-is-prime-time-for-scoring-a-deal/">Forbes</a></b> and <a href="http://time.com/money/4056802/buy-home-october/"><b>TIME</b>!</a><br />
<br />
<br />24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-61917562909415490542015-09-25T09:58:00.001-04:002015-09-25T10:29:30.633-04:00New Parent? I've Got Tips on Saving $$$!Hello friends,<br />
<br />
Hope everyone is enjoying the new fabulous fall season! <br />
<br />
Just thought I'd share my latest article, looking at savvy ways to save money as a new parent.<br />
<br />
Originally published in <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2015/09/best-baby-money-decisions/"><b>LearnVest</b></a>, it was picked up this week by:<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Forbes</b>: <b><i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2015/09/22/new-parents-reveal-their-smartest-baby-money-moves/">New Parents Reveal Their Smartest Baby Money Moves</a></i> </b><br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
<b>Huffington Post</b>: <i><b><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/learnvest/new-parents-dish-on-the-b_b_8186200.html">New Parents Dish on 'The Best Baby Money Decision I Ever Made'</a></b></i><br />
<br />
<br />24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-27693317940460636372015-09-03T14:29:00.000-04:002015-09-25T10:30:42.234-04:00Getting Married? Congrats! Now Read This!Hello long lost friends,<br />
<br />
I wrote an article this past summer for all you engaged/newly married love birds out there.<br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="http://Daniel (28yo) and Cary (36yo) Shiwarski, we live in PIttsburgh, PA and we have a 1 year old daughter Carolyn Piper. She was born on August 19, 2015. I have completed by training in Internal Medicine, and I currently in training as a fellow to become a nephrologist. My husband is in his 5th year of his PhD in Biology. Money has been one of the biggest issues with having a baby (The 2nd place issue, having children before I turn 40. And the 3rd place is balancing work/family). We felt pressured to start thinking about having children before we were financially secure because, I went to school for my MD and PhD, I was 35 before I completed all my schooling, and had completed my internal medicine training. My husband and I decided to have Piper during my fellowship training. Not because it was a “good time”, but because we felt that we were “running out of time”. We would like at least 2 children if possible, before I am 40. Our combined incomes are ~$75,000 since we are both still in training. Luckily Pittsburgh is a relatively affordable town, but we still don’t have enough money at the end of each month, despite us giving up Starbucks and drinking home brew coffee. Haha. Our biggest expense is Piper’s daycare. We were thrilled we she got a spot at one of the top daycares (they currently have an 18 month wait). However the expense of daycare each month is equivalent to our morgage. The first few months she was in daycare we were in the red each month. So we sat down and calculated a budget. To make ends meet we would need to defer our student loan repayments, cancel cable, decrease our cell phone data plan, no more iced lattes, no more buying lunch (we now eat leftovers from the night before), and no more going out to dinner with friends. Luckily with a new baby we didn’t have time to go out anymore. By limiting all these expenses we could make ends meet,">Newlyweds Checklist: 10 Steps to Mapping Out a Money Mission Statement for Couples</a></i></b><br />
<br />
Hope you find it helpful!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-32902945183117377192015-01-06T12:22:00.000-05:002015-09-25T10:29:58.951-04:00Holiday Savings Accounts and What to Consider Before Buying a Home!Hope you all had an amazing holiday season!<br />
<br />
Just an update on some recent activity...<br />
<br />
<b>Holiday Savings Accounts: </b><br />
<br />
-Worried about those credit card bills? Want to be on top of your holiday budget in 2015? Check out my Holiday Savings Account piece!<br />
<br />
It was published in <b><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/11/tis-the-season-for-spending-5-ways-a-holiday-savings-account-can-help-save-your-budget/">LearnVest</a></b> and picked up by: <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Huffington Post</b>:<b> <i><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/learnvest/tis-the-season-for-spendi_b_6268798.html">5 Ways a Holiday Savings Account Can Help Save Your Budget</a></i></b><br />
<br />
and <b>Forbes</b>:<b><b> </b></b><i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/11/17/5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-a-holiday-savings-account/"><b>5 Ways to Make the Most Of a Holiday Savings Account</b></a></i><br />
<br />
<b>Real Estate:</b><br />
<br />
-And are you considering buying a home in 2015? Check out my real estate article which looks at 7 key questions you should be asking yourself first!<br />
<br />
It was published in <b>LearnVest</b>: <b><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/11/am-i-ready-to-buy-a-house/"><i>Ready to Buy a Home? 7 Key Questions to Ask Yourself First</i> </a></b><br />
<br />
and picked up by<b> Forbes</b>: <i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/12/01/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-taking-the-home-buying-plunge/"><b>7 Questions to ask Yourself Before Buying a Home</b></a></i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/12/01/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-taking-the-home-buying-plunge/"><b><br /></b></a><br />
<br />24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-30973706395109162192014-07-14T13:02:00.000-04:002015-09-25T10:28:37.049-04:00Want to Host a Cheap Wedding?Last month I had the pleasure of sharing/writing Steve and Sally's love/wedding story for <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/06/budget-wedding/"><b>LearnVest</b></a>.<br />
<br />
The piece was just picked up by <b>Huffington Post</b>:<i><b> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/learnvest/how-i-did-it-my-wedding-c_b_5574532.html">I Just Spent $1,000 on My Wedding. Here's How</a></b></i><br />
<br />
Steve and Sally celebrated their one-year anniversary on the same day my husband and I celebrated our nine-year anniversary (July 1st)! Happy Anniversary!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-41568777698976214292014-07-14T12:52:00.000-04:002014-07-14T12:52:42.061-04:00Money To-Dos!I recently had the chance to write an awesomely informative (thanks to the financial planner I interviewed!) article on money to-dos. I learned a lot writing it and hope it helps you out too!<br />
<br />
<b>LearnVest: <i> <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/07/money-to-dos-for-every-decade-of-life/">3 Important Money To-Dos for Every Decade of Life</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<b>Forbes</b> also picked it up: <i><b><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/07/08/3-big-money-to-dos-for-your-20s-30s-40s-and-50s/">3 Big Money To-Dos For Your 20s, 30s, 40s And 50s</a></b></i>24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-34389044222965789612014-06-13T19:02:00.000-04:002014-06-13T19:06:54.033-04:00Buying a House? Read This First!It's been almost four years since we bought our first house (which I totally do not regret! Yay!). Did we make mistakes? YES! Are we alone? NO!<br />
<br />
I spoke with five brave souls willing to share the mistakes they made when buying real estate.<br />
<br />
Check it out on <b>LearnVest</b>: <b><i><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/06/homebuying-mistakes/">5 People Reveal: The Biggest Home-Buying Mistake We Made</a></i></b><br />
<br />
OR <br />
<br />
<b>Forbes</b>: <b><i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/06/13/adventures-in-real-estate-5-tales-of-major-home-buying-mistakes/">Adventures in Real Estate: 5 Tales of Major Home-Buying Mistakes</a></i></b><br />
<br />
Got a story to share? Feel free to open up and let us know!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-87335169957425390202014-06-13T18:52:00.000-04:002014-06-13T19:07:07.004-04:00Budget WeddingsI am approaching my nine-year wedding anniversary, so the intense dynamics of wedding planning have become a distant, somewhat foggy memory.<br />
<br />
It all came back to me recently when I got to work with Steve over at <b><a href="http://steveonomics.com/">steveonomics.com</a> </b>to share his $1,000 wedding story.<br />
<br />
Check it out on <b>LearnVest</b>: <b><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/06/budget-wedding/"><i>How I Did It: 'My Wedding Cost Less Than $1,000'</i></a></b><br />
<br />
Did you manage to pull off a budget wedding? Please share your secrets!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-10597712896040980012014-06-13T18:45:00.000-04:002015-09-25T10:34:52.085-04:00Grocery Tips on Huffington & Forbes!If you missed it on <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/05/grocery-shopping-on-a-budget/"><b>LearnVest</b></a>, you can check out my grocery shopping tips article on:<br />
<br />
<b>Forbes</b>: <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/05/19/10-ways-to-keep-rising-food-costs-under-control/"><i><b>10 Ways to Keep Rising Grocery Costs Under Control </b></i></a><br />
<br />
or <b>Huffington Post</b>: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/learnvest/grocery-shopping-on-a-bud_b_5366018.html"><i><b>10 Grocery Shopping Tips to Keep Rising Food Costs in Check</b></i></a><br />
<br />
Have some ideas to contribute? Please share... <br />
<br />
Hope these tips help you save some cash this summer!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-28400597700562480382014-05-16T21:03:00.001-04:002014-06-13T19:07:40.746-04:00Get Your Grocery Bill Under Control!Bad news: grocery prices are going up. Good news: I've tracked down some awesome expert tips on how to keep your bill manageable this summer.<br />
<br />
Your can read the article over at <i><b>LearnVest</b></i>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/05/grocery-shopping-on-a-budget/"><b>Grocery Shopping on a Budget: 10 Ways to Keep Rising Food Costs in Check</b></a><br />
<br />
Have more ideas? Feel free to share!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-7650283457348019722014-04-24T09:51:00.000-04:002014-04-24T09:51:17.097-04:00Interested in Some Real Estate?My recent <b>LearnVest</b> article on real estate got picked up by <b>Forbes</b>!<br />
<br />
Check it out: <b><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/04/14/4-dream-homes-4-couples-can-they-afford-the-price-tag/">4 Dream Homes, 4 Couples: Can They Afford The Price Tag?</a></b><br />
<br />
Do you have any home buying wisdom to share?24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-56377954093216376862014-04-07T10:56:00.002-04:002014-04-24T10:00:14.714-04:00Your ResumeMy recent <b>LearnVest</b> article on resume mistakes got picked up by <b>Forbes</b>!<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/04/04/resume-mistakes-you-cant-afford-to-make/">9 Resume Mistakes You Can's Afford to Make </a></b><br />
<br />
Hope it provides you with a few helpful tips!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-83477969362328927962014-03-31T22:50:00.000-04:002014-03-31T22:50:47.302-04:00It's 2014. How Did That Happen?My good friend recently showed me a little note book where she writes down all those important "kid" memories and milestones. What a very good idea, I thought to myself.<br />
<br />
Just a second, that's what my blog used to be! I used to keep track of all those special memories right here. What happened?<br />
<br />
As my kids get older (they are five and seven now), I've struggled with how much I should be sharing of their personal lives. We're getting close to the age where their school chums will have access to the Internet and will be able to Google anything and everything. I used to let it rip here, but if I get into our messy family business...that means anyone can read it. We're beyond the baby and toddler years and there's something about sharing our elementary school-level stories that makes me kind of unsettled.<br />
<br />
That said, I think I'd like to explore where that fine line is. I've proven to myself that I'm pretty lame at tracking special kid memories anywhere other than this blog. I'm also realizing I have no ability to retain all this info on my own. That means I better step it up if my husband and I are ever going to have a general sense of what happened during our life as a young family. When did my kids start walking? Hmmmmm...good question. When did they lose their first tooth? Well hopefully that info is somewhere on this blog (although the little guy hasn't actually lost any teeth so I haven't screwed that memory up yet).<br />
<br />
As I was reading the kids a bed time story tonight, my daughter managed to pull out our very loved (like there's missing wedges from gnawing gums kinda loved) copy of "Hush Little Baby" from my son's bookshelf. Both kids wanted me to read/sing it and were equally attentive and seemingly touched as I went through the pages. I told them I used to sing it to them every night. They both told me they remembered and both gave me this sweet hug. And while I'm focusing on the awesomeness and love, and not on the other (negative) child-induced baloney which has occurred in the past week, I'm blown away by how big and amazing these kids of mine have become. It seems like only yesterday that "Hush Little Baby" was a nightly staple.<br />
<br />
These little people are my biggest challenge and my greatest joy. And I'm trying to stop and smell the coffee a bit more these days. I'm trying to be mindful. I'm trying not to lose my temper as easily because being a mad mama is super unhealthy. I'm trying not to yell because it makes us all feel like crap. I'm trying to remember that my children's frontal lobes are not yet developed and mine is (i.e. I'm the grown up). I'm trying to model the behavior I want to see in them (which is super hard). I'm going to yoga once a week because it makes me feel awesome, which makes me a better mama. And I really want to enjoy my kids while they are kids, so I'm trying to be more present. In a few years, they're probably not going to want to have much to do with me. If they're anything like I was as a teenager, I better be savoring the time I have now.<br />
<br />
Starting this September, my kids will be on the same schedule at the same school for the first time ever. As you may have guessed, I'm starting to realize that everything is going by really fast (like I'm turning 40 next year. What is that all about?). I better pick up the pace and start keeping track of it all...right here at 24-7 Mommy.24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-38815252630764277842014-03-31T20:59:00.000-04:002014-03-31T20:59:59.464-04:00Pinky PromiseI haven't been writing about my crazy kids lately. I haven't been sharing my ups and downs with parenting (because this whole thing is a roller coaster of joy and pain). And I haven't told you how I'm starting to understand what people mean when they say "it all goes by so fast..."<br />
<br />
I did want to share a conversation I had with my 5-year-old son this morning as we drove to preschool.<br />
<br />
We were covering the basics around levels of education. First we go to preschool, then elementary school, then middle school, then high school, then university. Things got really emotional when we got to the university level. He realized I was talking about him leaving home and he put his foot down.<br />
<br />
The little guy made it clear he will always want to live with me. As in forever. And he doesn't want a wife and children unless we can all live together. He was so serious, and so saddened at the idea of us ever being split apart. Looking at his troubled face, I too was saddened at the prospect of my son ever leaving home. I can't imagine NOT living with my sweet little guy forever and ever.<br />
<br />
We were pretty worked up by the time we got to drop off and I kinda wanted to just keep driving with him...enjoy the moment for as long as possible. My beautiful five-year-old, wanting nothing more than a guarantee we could always be together (and no, living next door wasn't a satisfactory option for him). <br />
<br />
The little guy made me pinky promise that we will live together forever. I told him that if that's what he wants, then yes, I pinky promise.24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-43505393345444322562014-03-15T20:22:00.001-04:002014-03-15T20:22:06.162-04:00Launching a Money-Making Side BusinessI am thrilled my recent article about launching a successful side gig was picked up by <i><b>Forbes</b></i> this week!<br />
<br />
Check it out:<b> <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/03/11/7-insider-tips-for-launching-a-money-making-side-business/">7 Insider Tips For Launching a Money-Making Side Business</a></b><br />
<br />
And don't forget to check out <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Economy-You-Entrepreneur-Recession-Proof/dp/0814432735">The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life</a></b></i> by my amazingly talented friend, Kimberly Palmer.24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-52729202139905940322014-03-15T19:50:00.000-04:002014-03-31T21:29:48.230-04:00My Failed Attempt at a Real Simple Essay ContestLast fall, I read about an essay contest in <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/"><i>Real Simple</i></a> magazine. The essay question was: What is the bravest thing you have ever done?<br />
<br />
At the time, I was looking to write more, so I figured I would jump into the contest. How cool would it be to be published in <i>Real Simple</i>? I conveniently forgot I would probably be up against thousands of entries.<br />
<br />
The winning essay (which is extremely touching and well done) was published in this month's issue. And while I didn't win first, second, or third place, I thought I'd share my submission here. <br />
<br />
I'd like to say that, despite my serious initial struggles with becoming a mother, I'm really happy with where I am now, so please don't worry that I<i>'</i>m in a pit of parenting despair or anything!<br />
<br />
As always, feel free to share any thoughts.<br />
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ <br />
<br />
I don’t consider myself brave. I’ve never run into a burning building to save a person or fought a life-threatening disease.<br />
<br />
But if I had to nail bravery down to one act, I’d have to say that walking away from my career and becoming a stay-at-home-mom was by far the bravest thing I’ve ever done.<br />
<br />
I became a parent at the age of 31. I’d been working full-time in non-profit communications and public affairs for a number of years in New York City and then Washington, D.C. My job took me all over the country and I felt blessed to have it.<br />
<br />
Some come into parenthood easily. I am not one of those people. From the induced labor forward, I struggled desperately with motherhood. Looking back, it’s clear I suffered from some level of postpartum depression. I was getting no sleep, my baby girl was struggling with issues I couldn’t figure out (we know now that she suffers from severe food allergies), and I felt trapped. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.<br />
<br />
About two weeks after my daughter’s birth, we celebrated Christmas with my family (who had lovingly made the trek from Canada to D.C. to visit us for the holiday). The Ryan family loves Christmas. But as much as we tried, Christmas 2006 was not the same as years past.<br />
<br />
I can vividly remember getting out of the shower right before for Christmas dinner (my Mom calling from downstairs that the food was ready) and breaking down in tears. My heavy breasts were leaking milk all over my stomach and blood was draining from the wounds of having given birth to a 9 pound 6.5 ounce baby only weeks before. At that moment, on one of my favorite days of the year, I imagined what it would be like to walk in front of a truck and put an end to the misery. Pretty dark stuff.<br />
<br />
I dreaded every night. As much as my husband tried to help, he had to perform at work and needed to get some sleep. I felt so alone and scared when bed time would roll around. My child would not sleep, which meant I could not sleep. And I am one of those people who really need their sleep (as in eight hours a night). The cycle of sleepless nights and lonely days left me desperate, at times. I sadly never reached out for any help. Perhaps motherhood was supposed to be this hard? People had always told me you don’t know how hard it is until you do it. But this seemed extreme.<br />
<br />
We lived in a small row house in a central neighborhood at the time. Every morning I would stand in front of our living room window watching all of the “worker bees” head towards their various workplaces. They looked so fresh and well dressed. They walked with such purpose. They were like I used to be, and what I still wanted to be.<br />
<br />
The United States is the only industrialized country in the world without guaranteed paid maternity leave. I was lucky my place of employment offered eight weeks.<br />
<br />
Before I knew it, those eight weeks had passed by in a foggy haze of depression, dirty diapers, constant breast feeding, swaddling, shooshing and exhaustion (I now understand why sleep deprivation is a form of torture). Most days, I couldn’t think straight. I had a lot of what I called “no drive” days because I would have been too much of a hazard on the road.<br />
<br />
Clinging to the idea that I would go back to work, I took advantage of 12 weeks leave provided by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). I figured that would give me time to get my head screwed back on properly, or to magically snap back into the person I was before becoming a mother.<br />
<br />
As the seasons shifted from Winter to Spring, I would day dream about how amazing it would be to sit at my desk and catch up on emails while drinking hot coffee. I would imagine how sweet it would feel to board a plane solo for meetings in another city. How I would be able to sleep all alone in a nice, quiet hotel room. How I would only have to worry about taking care of myself and my professional commitments. And to converse with intelligent adults? Oh, how divine. How could I have taken it all for granted? <br />
As I slowly made my way out of the fog of new motherhood, I realized that having a small baby and a full-time career wasn’t going to blend as easily as I had first anticipated. If I was going back to work, I would need quality child care that would cover my travel schedule and allow my husband and I the flexibility to continue with our professional commitments (he’s in consulting and has an unreliable schedule).<br />
<br />
Frankly, I wasn’t making the kind of money that would easily cover the additional expenses of child care, dry cleaning, daily lunches, etc. How far ahead financially would I need to come out to make going back to work worth it? Or should I be working simply because I was not cut out to be a full-time, at-home parent? What was best for me? And what was best for my little family?<br />
<br />
The answers to those questions changed as rapidly as the diapers I was changing. One moment I would be sure I had to go back to the office. How could I have invested all those years in school to now sabotage everything I had worked so hard to build professionally? The next moment I would think of how fast my beautiful (and still extremely difficult and exhausting) daughter was growing and how it would be such a shame to miss out on all those “firsts.” I knew in my heart that as shaky a job as I was doing, no one else was going to try to soothe and comfort her like I was. <br />
<br />
I had become a mom and I was slowly realizing that my identity had profoundly shifted.<br />
<br />
And here’s where the bravery part kicks in. About half way through my FMLA leave, I met my boss for a lunch date, ordered a glass of white wine, and quit my job. He knew it was coming...even if I hadn’t been willing to admit it to myself for months.<br />
<br />
I had absolutely no plan. How long would I be home for? How would I fill our days? And what about all the other jobs I was taking on? I was now CEO of our family and that came with some serious responsibility.<br />
<br />
I became the house cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry doing, dinner making, stay-at-home mom. I had to shake off my old “worker bee” identity and try to embrace this new, and frankly, much less glamorous identity. And I realized I was lucky to have the choice.<br />
<br />
There were many bumps along the path to finding our family “groove.” Especially as we threw another baby into the mix two years after my daughter’s birth. I frequently questioned my parenting abilities (or lack thereof). I wondered why I still struggled while other moms made it look so easy (especially the moms working outside of the home! How did they do it?). I’m embarrassed to admit this, but it was a good five years before I felt like I (mostly) had a handle on everything.<br />
<br />
On tough days, my old “worker bee” identity would pop out and reprimand my current “stay-at-home” identity for having given up my job. To this day, almost seven years into it, I can’t help but wonder how far I could have gone if I had stuck with my career. I’ll never know. While I’ve been doing some freelance writing, my old career path is dead.<br />
<br />
It’s funny because I probably could have written the same essay if I had made the opposite choice. Going back to work, as the majority of new moms do, would have been extremely brave. But for me, walking away from my career was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. I’m proud of what I did and I’d like to think it was really brave.24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-60073365784435337962014-03-11T10:29:00.001-04:002014-03-11T10:29:21.561-04:00Want to Launch a Side Gig? Here's How!I had the pleasure of working with my friend, author Kimberly Palmer, on a piece looking at her new book: <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Economy-You-Entrepreneur-Recession-Proof/dp/0814432735">The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life</a>.</b></i><br />
<br />
If you're looking to bring in some extra money with a side gig, Palmer lays out how to make your dream into a reality.<br />
<br />
To get some tips, check out my article on <b>LearnVest</b>:<i><b><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2014/03/how-to-start-a-side-business/"> 7 Secrets to Launching a Lucrative Side Gig</a></b></i><br />
<br />
Have a successful side gig story? Feel free to share!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-85413515911628042182014-03-04T17:16:00.001-05:002014-03-11T10:30:35.306-04:00Kids and Food AllergiesAs you may know, my daughter has severe food allergies. I meant to post this article I wrote about it last fall. <br />
<br />
If you're a parent of a child with food allergies and are looking for ways to save money (because who isn't?), have a look:<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.elizabethstreet.com/living/kids-food-allergies">Kids & Food Allergies: 4 Ways to Keep High Costs in Check </a></b><br />
<br />
Have any more ideas? Let me know!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-8465055225231612242014-02-28T09:33:00.002-05:002014-03-04T17:17:59.792-05:00Love and MoneyHey strangers! <br />
<br />
My most recent article got picked up by <b>Forbes</b>! Yay!<br />
<br />
Check it out:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2014/02/20/love-and-money-how-real-couples-invest-for-their-futures/"><i><b>Love and Money: How Real Couples Invest for Their Futures</b></i></a><br />
<br />
As always, feel free to share your thoughts...24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-33147717264668270492013-10-08T12:27:00.000-04:002013-10-08T12:27:29.001-04:00Cheap Goodies!Wow. Talk about being side lined by back-to-school adjustment period!<br />
<br />
I forgot to post my latest article: <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2013/08/10-cool-back-to-school-finds-under-10/"><i><b>10 Cool Back-to-School Finds Under $10</b></i></a><br />
<br />
<br />24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-81457633130298840372013-08-12T17:06:00.000-04:002013-08-12T17:06:47.836-04:00I Heart Back-to-School Shopping!I will not and can not deny it. I really dig back-to-school shopping!<br />
<br />
And lucky me...I just got to write up a little article on it for LearnVest: <a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2013/08/back-to-school-shopping-how-to-spend-under-50-backpack-included/"><i><b>Back-to-School Shopping: How to Spend Under $50 - Backpack Included!</b></i></a><br />
<br />
I almost bought the discounted backpack...even though I didn't need it (I mean, my kids didn't need it, of course). I managed to resist the lure of online shopping...this time.<br />
<br />
Hope you're having as much fun as I am dreaming of back-to-school. After a looong (which should, by the way, be a word) summer, it's just around the corner! YAY for school!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-17366575168370975402013-08-12T16:53:00.001-04:002013-08-12T16:53:53.763-04:00A Better To-Do ListHere's my newest LearnVest article on to-do lists: <i><b><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2013/08/4-ways-to-make-a-better-to-do-list/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=Friday%20One%20Daily%202013-08-02">4 Ways to Make a Better To-Do List</a></b></i><br />
<br />I learned a few things from both the experts and "normal" folks who were brave enough to share their real to-do lists with me (thank you!). <br />
<br />
Hope it helps you out a bit, too!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-32156974622966009532013-06-26T11:59:00.000-04:002013-06-26T11:59:55.794-04:00Vacation With the Kids?Yes, you <b>should</b> go on vacation!<br />
<br />
Check out my latest LearnVest article, <b><i><a href="http://www.learnvest.com/2013/06/should-you-take-the-kids-on-vacation/">Should You Take the Kids on Vacation?</a></i></b><br />
<br />
As always, let me know what you think.24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-33224744231619055872013-06-04T10:14:00.000-04:002013-06-04T10:14:28.486-04:00The Elusive Work-Life BalanceCheck out my latest article which went up on <b><i>LearnVest </i></b>and <b><i>Forbes</i></b> last week!<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2013/05/29/5-women-5-work-life-balance-tales/"><i><b>5 Women, 5 Work-Life Balance Tales</b></i></a><br />
<br />
Let me know what you think!24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-510660747502977034.post-37152335668675919552013-05-23T14:15:00.000-04:002013-05-23T14:15:09.469-04:00Revelations...Part DeuxI came clean in a May 2011 blog post called <i><b><a href="http://24-7mommy.blogspot.com/2011/05/revelations.html">Revelations</a></b></i>.<br />
<br />
I explained that I was committed to being a stay-at-home mom, but that I wanted more...something just for me. I wanted to write.<br />
<br />
It's been just over two years since I publicly put my dreams out into the universe. And it looks like the universe heard me.<br />
<br />
As I submitted an article to my editor this afternoon, I realized that I am one lucky duck. Somehow, I have managed to find a way to write and actually get published somewhere other than my blog. I kinda feel like I'm allowed to say "I'm a freelance writer" as well as a "stay-at-home mom" (if anyone were to ask!). And man oh man does that feel awesome!<br />
<br />
I do not want to jinx myself here, but I am so grateful to have found a way to be there for my kids but to also be using my brain in a more intellectual fashion. It has done so much for me and I can honestly say that I am a happier person now. <br />
<br />
I know I've neglected this blog as a result of the freelance work (and life in general), but I still think about all the cool things I hope to do with it someday...all in good time.<br />
<br />
As always, thanks for reading.24-7 Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733009565829275703noreply@blogger.com0