April 2009

  • Showing Your Spouse Appreciation

    By hellenwyeth on 4/14/09 11:03am
    Add Comment
    Raising your kids takes work and it takes work to make money; to achieve both it takes teamwork. Our kids crave and thrive on us showing them appreciation for jobs well done just as we do from our employers. Sometimes we forget to show our spouses the appreciation they deserve for all they do too.
     
    In the hustle and bustle of the day, we focus on the kids, the house, the finances and our jobs without even thinking about the glue that's holding all the pieces together; our spouses. Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture in my relationship and of those that are close to me, I see just how easily anyone could fall apart without their partner. I also see how easy it is to get wrapped up in everything and over look what and how much we do for each other, unless it's a designated Hallmark Holiday like Mother's Day and Father's Day. I have written before on how important it is to take time out for yourself and as a couple, but showing your spouse appreciation is on a whole different level to me. It's more than planning a day on the calendar once a week or month.


    Read more >

  • Not Measuring Up

    By hellenwyeth on 4/14/09 10:56am
    Add Comment
    Every parent in existence hits a point when they feel that they don't measure up. Feelings of guilt that you aren't a good mom or dad are normal especially when you have a heavy work load to provide for your family. While it's probably not true that you're a horrible parent you may find that you have valid reasons for feeling this way. Use this opportunity to do some self-reflecting.
     
    SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR KIDS
    One common reason parents find themselves harboring this guilt is simple; how much time are you taking out of your busy schedule to spend with your kids? And if you find that you answer is close to none, then who is? Parents struggling to make ends meet often find that their time with their children is extremely limited and feel that the household will not survive if they don't keep it up. On the flip side, the quality time that is being cut out from the daily budget is just as important as the financial aspect.


    Read more >

  • Taking Maternity Leave

    By hellenwyeth on 4/14/09 10:45am
    Add Comment
    About the time you make it to your second trimester you should start looking at when and if you will be taking maternity leave. Not all, but most employers offer at least 3 months. Sit down and take a look at what your company has to offer you. Maternity leave is time off that all women should really take advantage of. This is a special time that you can use to get all the last minute items together, make final plans for delivery and once baby is here, get that much awaited bonding time together as a family.
     
    One of the reasons why some women opt out of taking the full 3 months to be home all boils down to money. Generally, maternity leave is not paid time off and not all families can afford a loss of wages for that amount of time. When planning to take your maternity leave, take a good hard look at your finances to see how long you really can afford to be away from work. If maternity leave is looking like it's just not going to happen for you there are companies like Aflac that you can start paying into now so you can have money coming in later when you are at home.


    Read more >