JuJu Juggles: Balancing Babies and Blackberries

JuJu Chang of ABC News’ ‘THE FIX’ created an eye-opening video we thought you’d enjoy. ‘Balancing Babies and Blackberries’ is slightly over 3 minutes and action packed; so hand that baby a bottle, turn your ringer off, and watch as JuJu juggles her priorities.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7036243

Did you know?

•  71% of working moms with a child under 18 year old work
• 30% of working moms return to work before their baby is 3-months old

Royal Escape by Susan Froetschel

A momz.com fan, Susan Froetschel, was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, Royal Escape, to review. The story is about a fictional British princess, Elena, who struggles to separate her children from a monarchy system that reinforces inequality. To raise her children as independent individuals, she must fend off paparazzi, staff and in-laws.

In each one of her mystery novels, Froetschel focuses on strong-willed mothers who fight for communities that best serve children, mixing suspense with policy analysis.

Froetschel began writing books when her son was an infant and her passion for writing is only growing. Her style is engaging and a welcome change from the simple-minded nonsense that is so prevalent on TV these days. I recommend you learn more about Royal Escape and Susan by visiting her site: Royal Escape

Gift Ideas for Dad

Here are two gift ideas my husband thinks would “work” for most of you. They are practical and will be remembered daily as they are used.
Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Chronograph Canvas Watch #AT0200-05E

This handsome watch is powered by the Eco-Drive movement, which runs continuously in any kind of natural or artificial light for a lifetime of use. Fueled by light, it never needs a battery. This watch has a stainless steel case, military green strap, and a 1 second chronograph and 12/24 hour time indicator.

This practical watch retails for $195, but is currently on sale at 40% off or $117. For more information visit Citizen Men’s Watch. FREE shipping is included.

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Christmas Spending Plans Drop to New Low

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or Alan Greenspan to know that this Christmas sales will be off this holiday season. Pessimism is rampant and hopefully as irrational as the irrational exuberance period was during the dot com boom. People are hunkering down and saving whatever cash they have.

A recent Gallop Poll measuring Christmas spending plans recorded it’s lowest level since they began the poll 10 years ago: Christmas Spending Poll

The $616 average in this years poll is way down from last years $866. But, looking at it from the bright side that’s still alot money that should help keep the kids happy. Just be sure to spend a lot of time playing games, and doing things with your family that everyone can enjoy together and the kids won’t even know that finances are tight.

One other thing to keep in mind as you choose which companies you are going to “spread the wealth around” to is that there are thousands of moms trying very hard to bring in extra income through their Websites and e-commerce sites. Why not shop online at mom-owned sites to help one another out? One place you can find a number of mom-owned businesses is at our WAHM Shopping Mall Website. It’s a site that allows WAHMs to add their banner ads at no cost to help drive traffic.

No matter what your circumstances are please enjoy your holidays and have a Merry Christmas season.

Gas Prices Back Below $2 Gallon

Yes, the economy seems to be tanking and there is a constant drumbeat of negative news flowing our way each day. The news is likely to continue worsening for some time to come as well. So why not take a timeout and whoop it up for a few minutes over the price of gas falling below $2.00 for the first time in a long time?

If you want to squeeze even more savings at the pump check out Gas Buddy. Gas Buddy has a community of thousands of Joe-the-Plumbers and Jane-the-Jugglers submitting local gas prices all across the country. It’s a super way to save an extra $5 or more every time you fill ‘er up.

Site Offers Advice and Ideas for Saving Money

Miserly Moms was created by Jonni McCoy when she left the daily grind of her day job to spend more time at home with her children. She had been contributing 50% of their family income and giving that up in the expensive San Francisco area was a shock to their budget and the motivation behind the desire to find ways to stretch their dollars.

You’ll find hundreds of money saving tips in the Miserly Tips section and in her popular books found in the Miserly Moms Bookstore. There’s also a section with articles submitted by third parties that are only published if helpful to moms seeking financial tips.

Moms attempting to return to workforce find daunting job market

This news story in the Belleview News-Democrat covers some of the ugly realities out there in the job market, but goes on to offer some great advice for moms looking for work. Their interviews give great insight into how many moms sabotage their own efforts during the interview.

Moms find daunting job market : The nation’s unemployment rate is at its highest point in five years, with more than 600,000 jobs cut year to date. And many industries have experienced consolidation.

Getting an edge can be challenging for moms who have been on the sidelines for several years.

Katherine Stone – Postpartum Progress

Postpartum Progress is authored by Katherine Stone who suffered with postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder with the birth of her son in 2001. This experience led her to become an advocate for women with postpartum mood disorders, through her blog Postpartum Progress. Her blog has become the most widely-read in the United States on these mom-illnesses, including; postpartum depression, postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis.

Katherine’s blog has been added to the family health category of our Directory for moms.

Here are some of her posts highlighted in our Mom News section. (Please be sure to vote for her articles if you agree they’re deserving.)

Samanthas Story
C-Section Deliveries May Impact Mother-Infant Bonding

Postpartum Links and Resources

Marketing to Moms Just Got Easier

We’ve come across hundreds of moms with Websites that are eager to earn extra money through affiliate programs or by selling advertising space to companies whose ads targets moms. The problem has been that the mom community is so spread out that advertisers and ad agencies haven’t found an efficient way to market to moms through small to mid-sized Websites. We’re changing that!

Momz is pleased to announce two new ad networks for mom-centric Websites: Momz and The Mother Hood

Momz Ad Network is for mom sites that are less about about personal life stories and more about news, information and resources for moms.

The Mother Hood Ad Network is for ALL sites run by moms, intended for moms, and of course about moms.

Whether you own a mom site or want to promote your business to thousands of moms, to get started just register here: (It’s totally free to register and free for publishers with mom-centric sites)

Momz

Date Your Mate: Ten Ideas That Work for New Moms

When baby makes three, someone is often left out. Can you guess who? Where does the new father, former star of his home, fit into this new world of round the clock feedings, diapers, and laundry?

Mothers can be very baby centered and for good reason. After all, when God creates little babies, He makes them irresistible, maybe so mothers will endure the rigors of taking care of them.

Yet even during the first months of life with baby, it’s important to nurture your marriage. The stronger your bond is with your mate, the more secure and happy your baby will be. Dates don’t have to be elaborate, expensive or even outside of your own home. New parents have to be creative about spending quality time together, even if it is just for a few moments.

Here are ten free or almost free ideas to choose from:

1. Look through old photos from your dating days. Reminisce about your first date. What were you wearing? Where did you go? What was your first impression?

2. Share a scoop of ice cream together. Use one bowl and two spoons. Talk about the highlight and low light of your day.

3. Cuddle up and have a movie night for mom (chick flick). The next week, have a movie night for dad (action, drama or comedy).

4. List 5 things you love about your spouse. Exchange lists over a glass of sparkling cider.

5. Get a baby sitter and walk around the park hand in hand without the stroller. Kiss at the swings.

6. Heat up some massage oil and give your spouse a massage.

7. Have a candlelight dinner in your home or backyard.

8. Go to a coffee shop together. Talk about how you can meet one another’s needs better.

9. Take a hot bubble bath.

10. After the kids are asleep, take a blanket out to the backyard. Lie down and watch the stars together.

As you can see, you don’t need a lot of time or money to date your mate. Any of these things can be done even with a new baby. You just have to be intentional about planning special moments together. Don’t exchange romance for a diaper bag when you can have both. Just look your husband in the eye, hold hands, shut out the rest of the world from time to time, and date.

This article was submitted by Arlene Pellicane. For more great information visit her website at Losing Weight After Baby.