Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Adding More to the Brood?

As I write this, my daughter is on her 2nd play-date in a row. The tv is on, my basement is a mess, she's running around with her cousin, and the decibel level is a bit high for my taste. But they are having fun and that's all that matters.

She gets so excited when her friends and family come over. "Finally, someone my age and height," she must be thinking, right? She's almost three and is an only child. I know people who are already on their 2nd or 3rd child from the time I was having her.

I always wonder if she's lonely. I mean, I'm with her all day and even though I play with her and try to teach her, I'm not three. A friend and I were chatting the other day and she also has a daughter around the same age as mine and an only child. Just like me she would like to have more but we both agree, sometimes it's not the right time, or we feel we can only handle the one, or whatever the reason is we haven't had more children.

I'm not an only child so I know what it's like to grow up with a sibling: the rivalries, the fighting and blaming, and then the sticking up for one another when we finally realize the other one is a HUMAN BEING. Big love to my brother by the way who is in the Air Force! Even my husband is not an only child: he is the youngest of six. SIX!! So I know we don't want for our daughter to grow up alone. Then there's the fact that both my husband and I are trying to run businesses from home.

In any case, I know I am trusting God. I know HE will bless me with more when HE feels I'm ready. And if I feel I'm not ready I know HE will prepare me to be. 

I commend all the moms out there with more than one child. I know it can't be easy but at least they have each other to play with and they will always have someone they can count on. And maybe, just maybe, the older kids are helpful.

Moms, weigh in. I know there are pros and cons to having more children so let me know your thoughts. Leave your comments below.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Do What You Have to Do, NO MATTER WHAT

Last night my daughter was in bed and sleeping by 9pm. "Well what's the big deal about that" you may think. That NEVER happens in my house! It's usually a battle to get her to her room and into pjs. Then it's story time, prayers and finally "nite, nite." All of this happens closer to 10. So why was she in bed so "early?"

There was a team conference call at 9 and I finally decided to be on it. I said YES to my business and to learning how I can grow and develop it.

While on this conference call I made sure I wasn't distracted by other things like Facebook or emails. I was sitting in from of my computer itching to write this blog but I waited until the conference call was over. (I did manage to clean up the toys but that was only a few minutes. Hey, I'm a mom!) As much as we feel the need to multitask, sometimes you just have to give 100% to ONE thing at a time.

So what did I "learn?" There are so many people who are super successful in their businesses and I think, "how are they doing it? What can I do to achieve the same level?" Well none of this is "new" news but the key is to DUPLICATE their system. Why make things harder? There's no need to reinvent the wheel when it's already rolling. Look at what they are doing and do the exact same thing. And these things that the successful people are doing are usually already set by the business they're in. It is the company or business model. Are you going to hit roadblocks? Most certainly, but you cannot let those roadblocks stop you completely. You just keep going and keep saying "NEXT" until you achieve your goal, whatever it may be.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Why I Do What I Do

I used to live in the Bronx and work as a graphic designer in the city. My original hours used to be 11-7 as I was hired to be the late shift person. Eventually that was no longer needed so they changed my hours and I worked 9:30-5:30. Commuting was ok, usually with little to no problems. But of course there were on-the-job stresses: cut backs, layoffs, longer hours, no raises.

Then I moved out to New Jersey with my then fiancé. That's when things got different. Commuting both ways took 1 1/2 to 2 hours! I would leave my house around 7:30 and not get home until 7:30 (on a good day!) By the time I had a chance to "unwind" it was time for bed and back to the same routine the next day.

When I had my daughter I knew something had to give. Either I would try to find another job closer to home or quit working all together. Mind you, around the same time I was having my baby, my husband got laid off. We were not in a good situation. I did go back to work for a few weeks and it was the toughest time of my life because I was not at home with her. Then my hubby got called back to work and that prompted me to make THE DECISION. There was no way I was going to put my daughter into day care. It was tough because I had a lot of friends at work and I was with the company for almost 9 years but I knew it was the right decision.

So then I thought, "what if I can work from home? What can I do?" Of course I wanted to stay in my field and try designing at home but the programs were so expensive. I was part of an online travel business but that just wasn't working for me. I wanted to try something different. Then I thought, "what if I can make jewelry from home?" I researched all that was involved but knew with a baby at home I didn't think I would have the time to handle that.

Finally I found a company that sells jewelry and all I had to do was throw/host home parties and make commission off of what I sold. WOW! Just like that? No one ever told me about that in college. You're taught, get an education and get a job. Unfortunately schools don't really promote entrepreneurship. And most people frown on if you try to start something on you're own. But I took the leap and signed up. There are times when the business is slow and the economy has something to do with that but I am dedicated to working from home in one way or another.

My husband supports me wholeheartedly as I support him. We are both in a weight-loss company that we believe truly works, because it has for us. And through the company we have become more aware of how seriously we needed to take care of our health and help others do the same. So that has become my mission! If I can help a friend battle her diabetes so she doesn't have to take insulin or pills, then I've done a good job. Or if I can find a way to help someone lose even 10 pounds and make them happy, then I've done a good job. I am here to help because what else is there in life? It's not always about me and when it gets to that point then I need to reassess my priorities.