The Darling CEO

Money, Business, and Life Tips for the Working Mom

Working From Home With Your Spouse

Working From Home With Your Spouse

A lot of us have been thrown into an unusual situation, working at home with your spouse (and your kids!).   With the right preparation and approach, this can actually be a time of enjoyment and family bonding (stay with me here).

Let’s take a look at some things that you can do when working from home with your spouse.

Set Ground Rules

Don’t assume that your spouse knows what you need from them and don’t assume that they know what you need from them.   Take some time and go through logistics and lay down some ground rules.   What is the protocol when they are on conference calls? What about when they are working on something?  Do they need undivided attention or are they good with the occasional check-in.   What are their work hours?  What are your work hours?   Will you try to take lunch together or stagger them?  If you have kids home, who should be watching them at what times?

The more that you can hash out upfront, the more friction and stress you can avoid in the future.

Treat your Spouse like a Coworker

During the workday, treat your spouse like a coworker. That means if they annoy you, don’t feel free to tell them about it (hopefully you don’t do that at work). Be courteous to each other. Clean up after yourselves and don’t leave dishes and messes around for your “coworkers” to pick up.  Ask if you can help them out.   See what you can do to help them when you can.

This mutual patience and respect will go far in maintaining a good working relationship.

Have Dedicated Workspaces

Try to create dedicated working spaces in your home that are separate from each other.  This space will help minimize distractions and the temptation to chat between conference calls.  If you are in tight spaces with your spouse, use a partition to help create the illusion of separate spaces.  This is especially important if your job requires a lot of focus.

Make sure that the space is equipped with everything that you need. A must-have for a work from home set up is a wireless headset for conference calls. This  will help you avoid background noise and be more clear on calls. You should also invest in a monitor and wireless mouse/keyboard if possible.

Have Alone Time

If you are like me, I am not used to spending 24 hours with my spouse.  I am a fairly independent person and need some alone time each day. This is critical for my wellbeing. That doesn’t make me a bad wife or person.  In fact, knowing exactly what I need enables me to be a better wife and person.

To help you get this time to recharge, take time to do something for yourself every day. It could be going down to the basement to binge a couple of your favorite shows, going for a long walk around your neighborhood, or just sitting out in your car blasting your radio.   Whatever provides you with the space and time that you need works.

And make sure to provide the same thing for your spouse. Encourage them to take time for themself as well.   Even if they don’t openly take you up on you offer, try to give them some space every day. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, it can work wonders for a marriage!

Embrace the Chaos

Above all else, please remember that things will not always go as planned. Embrace the chaos. This is such an unprecedented time in our lives. If your kids start screaming in the background, you are not alone. A lot of your coworkers probably enjoy the opportunity to get to see that side of your life. If your spouse walks in and loudly asks you what you want for lunch while you are giving a presentation, don’t sweat it.   Right now, it’s all bets off for what is normal and acceptable in the workplace. We are all in survival mode at work and at home!

At the end of the day, we are all in this together.   Just laugh it off as much as you can and embrace the chaos. Things will be normal again at some point.

What are you favorite working from home with your spouse tips?   What is your biggest challenge? Leave a comment below!

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Toys to Keep Your Kids Occupied

Toys to Keep Your Kids Occupied

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If a purchase is made using these links we earn a small commission. 

Many folks are working from home with their kids for the first time.   They are beginning to understand the struggle that is trying to get their work accomplished while being a snack gopher for their kiddos.

Take it from an experienced work from home mom,  find and stock toys to keep your kids occupied. There will be times when you absolutely need them to be occupied and leave you alone (i.e. when you have a client call, need to finish a report, etc.).    Having a stash of special activities/toys that you can use during these times will be a lifesaver.

This list of toys to keep your kids occupied has been proven to be effective. I have only selected toys that will give you a good ROI (time they are occupied v. investment).

Bridge Books

Bridge books and educational books are not only educational but they can keep your kids occupied for a good amount of time.  There are books for every age, grade, and subject so choose one that will best match your kids level and interests. You can also find a lot of activity books at the dollar store.

 

Lego

Legos are excellent toys to keep your kids occupied.  We keep our Legos under lock and key so we don’t have to pull them out of the bottom of our feet. When we pull them out they are quite the novelty.

You can step up the fun factor by giving your kids a challenge like “make your dream house” or “create your favorite character” using the legos.   You can also find a lot of Lego activities online that your kids can complete.

Osmo

Our house LOVES our Osmo kits.  Osmo turns your tablet into an interactive game.   You can download games and educational activities and purchase different game kits (such as the Super Studio Disney Princess and Pizza Co. Game)  There are even some free games that you can play.   It has been a really great toy to keep in the house because it is fun and educational.

 

Skymags

Another favorite in our household is the Skymags.  These are little magnetic shapes that your kiddos can use to build anything their imagine can dream up.   This is also one of the toys that I don’t mind playing with as well.

Again I keep these bad boys locked up and bring them out for special occasions so the kids become engrossed when they are able to play with them.  You can also pick these up at Home Goods and Marshalls sometimes for fairly cheap.

 

Craft & Art Supply Kit

This item may be a little more messy but it is effective in keeping your children busy.  Give them some art supplies and see what masterpieces they come up with.

You can also make it more fun by giving them an artistic challenge like
“make a crown” or “make a sign for your bedroom door”.

Indoor Trampoline

Kids need to get energy out.   An indoor trampoline is an excellent way for them to expend some energy and keep them busy long enough for you to knock out some work. Disclaimer, you may want to ensure that they are kids are old enough before you leave them unattended. 

 

Snap Pop Beads

 

These little bead are a great toy to keep kids occupied.  They are essentially little beads that you can snap together to make necklaces, rings, bracelets, and other creations.  You can get at least 20-30 minutes at a time with this one.

 

Lulu Jr Illustory Book Making Kit

This kit lets your children write and illustrate their very own book. The included guide walks your children through the process of writing and illustrating their story. Once completed and mailed using the pre-paid envelope, your kid will receive a 7″x9″ bound hardcover book with up to 20 pages (including a dedication page, title page, and “About the Author” page).   Adorable and a great way to keep the occupied so you can jump on that conference call.

Fire Tablet


Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, screen time included. If you are working from home, a device is a great way to keep kids occupied.

I feel less guilty giving my kids free reign over the Fire 7 Kids Edition. The kids edition of this tablet is loaded with Amazon Free Time which gives children access to over 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, audiobooks, and educational content.   You can also easily add screen time limits and set educational goals.

 

What are you favorite toys to keep your kids occupied? What strategies do you use to get some work done when working from home?

 

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What To Do When You Get Back From Maternity Leave

What To Do When You Get Back From Maternity Leave

A colleague at work just returned from maternity leave and it got me reminiscing of that of that whirlwind time as a new mom. Leaving your life of sweatpants and spit up and diving back headfirst into the deep end of corporate life (all while still caring for a tiny human being that is 100% dependent on you).   It’s a tough time.

However, there are some things that you can do once you get back to work to make the transition back from maternity leave a little easier.

Also, check out this post around things to do before you head back from maternity leave.

Meet With Your Manager 

Schedule some time with your manager to catch up the first few days back from maternity leave.  In this meeting you should accomplish a couple things:

  • Outstanding Items: are there any outstanding items that you need to take care of right away? Does the team need anything from you right away?
  • Priorities:   Have the priorities changed since you have been out on maternity leave? What is the “hot topic” right now? What are the pressing priorities. You would be surprised how fast things can change.  Asking explicitly can help you save time in trying to decipher this on your own.
  • Expectations:  You will want to capture your manager’s expectations as you transition back. Many times, you expect more of yourself than they do so make sure that you ask them. What is important for you to accomplish right away?  Set SMART goals so you are both on the same page.Save some potential anxiety and get on the same page.
  • Discuss Your Needs:  In addition to asking what your boss needs from you, this meeting should also serve as a way for you to share your needs with them.  Will you need any accommodations for pumping or schedule adjustments? This is a great time to discuss these items upfront.

Pumping Logistics

One of the very first things that you can do when you get back from maternity leave is to make your arrangements for pumping.  Block out pumping times on your calendar so other’s don’t schedule meetings during this time.   Schedule time in the mother’s room if necessary.   If you don’t have access to a mother’s room, find a safe and quiet place for you to pump and make sure you have adequate access to this space.

Also, make sure that your manager and coworkers are aware of your pumping times and needs (and let them know that you may need to change them as you adjust back). And remember, a lot of people don’t understanding pumping.  I had a mother of three (so I assumed she knew how pumping worked) actually walk in while I was pumping. Moral of the story is don’t assume anyone knows what you expect of them. If you don’t want them walking in on you, let them know when you will be pumping and ask them to not walk in without your overt permission to avoid any awkward encounters.

Bring in a Treat 

This is not necessary by any means and may be controversial, but it may be a good idea to bring in some treats or do something nice for your coworkers/boss. This is especially true if they have picked up your work while you were out, helped you with the transition in and out, and are making continued accommodations if you are pumping.

You certainly do not owe them, but it shows that you appreciate the support they provided while you were on leave and will continue to provide as you transition back.  Not that you are intending to butter them up, but it certainly doesn’t hurt 🙂

Delete Your Emails

Seriously, delete all of them.  Chances are that 99% of the emails sitting in your mailbox are either obsolete, have already been handled in your absence, or are things you don’t need to know.  Delete them all in one fell swoop.

Instead of combing through 1000+ (at least) emails, just send out a mass email to anyone that you work with to just follow up with you if there is anything they still need from you.

Not only is this approach much more efficient and will save you hours, but it will save you from unnecessary anxiety and frees up much needed mental capacity (and you need all the help you can get with mommy brain).

Meet One on One with Coworkers

The whole notion of staying out of your mailbox stays strong here.  Instead of emailing someone for an update, give them a quick call or meet with them face to face.   So much information is lost in emails.   Meeting with someone in person allows you to gain much needed context.

Plus, it is way more efficient.   It’s a matter of having a 10 minute conversation versus an email chain with 13 messages that you have to decipher and try to read between the lines.

Schedule Some “Me” Time

The silver lining of coming back to work after maternity leave is that you have the opportunity for some “me” time. Take advantage of this.  Even if it is just a quick walk around the block or grabbing coffee with a coworker,  do something nice for  yourself.

Don’t feel guilty about it.  Taking care of yourself is essential for you being the best mother and employee that you can be.  Consider it personal development time 🙂

 

 

Let Them Help You Like You Want to Help Them

Let Them Help You Like You Want to Help Them

This week was a rough one.

I have a lingering cold that is draining my energy. I had a busy week at work with a few big deadlines. My husband was traveling all week. My mother-in-law who often steps in to help was out of town. My kids were ridiculously whiny. Plus I had a few errands that I absolutely had to run after work.  It was a mess.

However, one of my dear friends asked if she could watch the kids so I could go run my errands in peace (and more efficiently sans two small children).  My initial reaction was how kind that was of her but I didn’t want to inconvenience her. She has two kids of her own and is also a busy working mom.  So I    politely declined her generous offer.

Yet, the week went on and I HAD to go to baseball signups. I either TODAY went or my kid doesn’t get to play baseball.   But… it was freezing and snowing and my kids were being so challenging. Nothing sounded worse than taking them to stand in line for an hour (potentially more). At this point, I  would have rather had a root canal.

So on a whim, I  took my friend up on her offer.  I dropped my kids off to play with their friends and I  got to stand in line at baseball signups quietly with a warm cup of coffee and Instagram in hand.  It was about as blissful as standing in an hour long line could be.

Afterwards I  went to pick up my kids and you know what?  Their mood and significantly improved.  They were happy and enjoying the time with their friends. They had behaved like angels all night.   My friend, she was really excited about having the opportunity to help me.   We sat for a few minutes catching up and enjoying each others company.  The kids and I headed home for a relatively easy bedtime.

It was a great night.

And one that we wouldn’t have experienced had I not taken my friend up on her offer to help me .

See, as moms we tend to think that we need to do everything on our own.  If we ask for help, we are failing.  But we CAN’T do it on our own. We are not supposed to do it on our own. Nowhere else in the world are moms expected to take on what we take on with as little support that we have.  This is designed to be a team sport. It takes a village to raise kids into responsible and kind adults.

That is why we NEED to ask for help.    And in doing so, that doesn’t make up weak. That makes us ALL stronger.   That makes us moms a community.  A community of badass women trying to raise our kids to be strong and support each other.

So to raise children to be strong and support each other, we must support each other now, and allow others to support us.

The beauty of this moment for me is that it made me realize that by allowing that mom to help me out when I needed help, I was not only helping myself but I  was helping her.   She WANTED to help me but I    had never given her the opportunity to do so.

I was not letting her help me the way that I wanted to help her.

I was not enabling the community that I hope my daughter one day has.

So moms, ask for help and let others help you.

It’s together that we are stronger now and for future generations.   <3

 

How have you helped other moms?  Have you accepted help from others? Leave a comment below!

 

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Get Fit at the Office

Get Fit at the Office

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Who said you can’t get fit at the office?   Check out these products that will make it easier for you to get fit while you are at work!

Under Desk Peddler

This little gadget is not only affordable but will help you get in exercise while you are sitting at your desk. This peddler is great because it is very easy to use, it’s foldable so it is easy to store, and even has a digital display to track your time/rpm/and minutes.  This will not only help you get some extra exercise in but a nice added bonus is that it can help you focus on your work.  Physical activity is a great way to get your blood flowing and your mind focused.

Fitbit 

My Fitbit was a game changer. I always thought that I was fairly active until I got my Fitbit. I drastically was overestimating my physical activity. This was great though because I  now know what is needed to get my daily steps in and am much healthier overall. I find myself getting up (because it will tell you when you have been being too lazy) and taking a walk several times per day. It’s fun to try to get my 10k steps everyday! I    will say that I’ve had a Fitbit and a couple Apple Watches and hands down the Fitbit is more motivating for health and wellness. The Charge is a great model but there are models to fit any price point.

Balance Ball Chair

This balance ball chair has been shown to not only improve your well-being but it helps with that nagging lower back pain you get from too much sitting.   It also encourages greater focus.  If you are able to keep your body moving, your mind is much more sharp and focused.  I  also love that you can order the balls in different colors. It’s an easy and fashionable way to get fit in the office.

Water Bottle 

I’m really bad at staying hydrated. I drink a lot of coffee so that doesn’t leave me a lot of time to drink water. However, when I keep a nice water bottle around it makes me much more likely to get my water in. I  love this particular bottle because it gives you motivational messages and makes sure that you are staying on track. It is also easy to transport and super cute.   Having water bottles everywhere you go will make it much easier to get your water in (it’s all about making habits easier!)

Wireless Headset 

One easy and simple way to get fit at the office is by using a wireless headset.   If you tend to  be on phone calls throughout the day you will understand how lazy you can become. Get untethered from your desk and use this headset to walk around while you are listening to conference calls or taking calls.  I  am sometimes literally on conference calls from 9am-5pm.  I zone out after so long.  Now, when I  find myself losing focus I will get up and do a couple laps.  I    get some steps in and find myself actually paying attention to what people are saying. It’s a win-win.

Wobble Cushion 

If you don’t want to bounce around on a ball to get fit in the office, turn any chair into an active seat by using one of these wobble cushions.  This helps strengthen your core, improve your posture, and can help ease back pain. This is also great because you can put it on the floor and can be used for meditation.    It’s a cheap and easy way to get more fit at the office.

Shoe Bag 

One easy way to improve your wellness at work is to incorporate walking into your day. Whether it is walking to your workplace,  getting off the bus a couple blocks early, parking in a spot farther away, or even taking laps around the building.  Anything that you can do to get additional steps in will add up. It makes it much easier to get these said steps in when you have comfortable shoes.   This shoe bag is a great way to pack your sneakers so you can easily change to get some steps in.  I have a similar bag and I bought a pair of extra sneakers that belong just in this bag. That way I  never have to back them, they are always in my car.  Make it insanely easy on yourself to get fit at the office!

Standing Desk 

Standing desks are pretty amazing and are becoming more common in the workplace. They allow you to work while you are standing without having to hunch over.   There are actual standing desks but this stand is a great way to go if you don’t want to invest in an actual standing desk. This is something that you place on the desk that you already have. There is a button on the side (powered by a gas spring so it’s very easy to use) that makes the desk go up and down to the height that you desire. It is very affordable and easy to use. It’s a great way to keep moving and active throughout your day.

Deskcize Pro

This is a pretty amazing gadget- it’s a standing desk/exercise bike. Just think of the exercise that you can get in while you are peddling away at your desk. This is easy to use and portable so you can move it around your office or home.  It’s also very quiet so you won’t be distracting your coworkers which I’m sure they will appreciate. And again, not only does it help you get more active but it helps improve concentration.

 

These are just a few gadgets and tips that you can use to get more fit at the office. What suggestions or tips do you have? Leave a comment below!

 

 

 

January To-Do’s for Successful Working Moms

January To-Do’s for Successful Working Moms

Call me crazy but I love January. I love the feeling of renewal that comes from a brand new year. I am energized and motivated to take on the year.

Every January, I try to capitalize on this energy and motivation and knock off some tasks that help me start the year off right as a working mom.

Here are January to-do’s for successful working moms…

Declutter

We have a large family so our children get so much stuff for Christmas. To top that off, my daughters birthday is in January as well so even more stuff. Yay. During January, I try to get rid of as much stuff as possible. Old clothes, toys, magazines that have piled up, toys, old makeup, anything and everything that is not nailed down. Check out The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Kondo provides very practical tips on what and how to get rid of your clutter.

Deep Clean

You can either outsource this or do it yourself but one to-do that should be on every working moms life is to deep clean your home. Once you have decluttered it is the perfect time to clean. I’m talking clean that you never have a chance to get to like baseboards and washing walls. This will allow you to start the year off with a truly fresh and clean space. It will also take some away some of the mental load that can eat away at you.

Set a Budget and Savings Plan

If you are like me, you are experiencing a spending hangover in January. I am so sick of spending money by the end of December, I am just ready to get back to a budget and start saving again. Take advantage of this feeling and sit down and set a budget. Start by reviewing your spending for the last year. Where did your money go? Reflect on where you could have saved more and spent less. Now set your budget for the next year. Make sure that you are paying yourself first and setting aside money in your budget to save. Start the saving program as early in January as possible either through your employer (via a 401k) or your bank (IRA or a traditional savings account).

Set a Goal

Every year I set a personal development goal for myself. Motherhood can be so daunting. When you are working, raising children, taking care of a home, taking care of a marriage, etc. it leaves very little time for you. It can be easy for moms to feel like they have lost themselves. Each year I set a goal solely for myself. This gives me a reason to do something that I enjoy and gives me fulfillment and satisfaction as I march towards achieving it. A couple of goals that I have completed are reading 100 books in a year and learning Spanish. Find something that you enjoy doing and set a stretch goal for yourself. Make sure that you keep that promise to yourself and make a plan to achieve it. And remember, a happy mom/wife/employee is a good mom/wife/employee!

Organize Your Schedule

The end of the year is a free for all. There are so many demands on your time with the holidays, school events, and work deadlines. After all of that, now is the perfect time to reset and organize your schedule. Go through your calendar and block out time for everything that you need to get done. Make sure that you are carving out time for your goal and for just doing nothing. I make sure that at least one day out of each weekend we block out our calendar to do nothing. Those are my favorite days (and my kids) and would likely not happen if I wasn’t intentional on blocking out that time.

Now is also a great time to grab control of your work calendar. Go through each meeting that is on your calendar for the new year and make sure that it needs to be there. Meetings tend to stick around a lot longer than they are actually needed. Now would be a good time to trim the fat and get rid of non-essential meetings. You should also schedule time to actually do the work. I work in a corporate environment so I sit on conference calls all day. If I don’t block off time to actually do the work, I would be bringing that home with me today. Block an hour or two a day during your MOST productive time of day to do deep work.

What are your January To-Do’s for Successful Working Moms? What do you do in January that helps set up success for the remainder of the year? Leave a comment below!

 

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Have a Debt-Free Christmas

Have a Debt-Free Christmas

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you purchase a product using a link I may receive a portion of the proceeds at no additional cost to you.

The holiday season can be disastrous for your finances and leave you with a giant debt hangover if you aren’t careful.   Americans racked up more than $1,000 in debt during the 2018 holiday season.  What is even worse, 28% of shoppers weren’t even done paying off debt from the prior year. They just keep piling on more and more debt. They haven’t yet learned how to have a debt-free Christmas.

The holidays are a time of celebrations and festivity, but that doesn’t mean that you need to ruin your finances. It is absolutely possible (and easier than you think) to have a debt-free Christmas and holiday season by following these simple and proven tips.

Tips on How to Have a Debt-Free Christmas

Save All Year Long

Technology makes it incredibly easy to save money for your holiday spending.  Most banks have a way that you can auto-save during the year (meaning that you automatically move money into a savings account).

You can also check out apps like Stash and Acorn which provide a way to micro-invest.   Micro-investing is saving money and investing a small amount of money at a time. Even if you save only $20 a week, you will have over $1,000 over the course of a year.  Every little bit that you save helps and will provide you with enough cash to have a debt-free Christmas.

Stick to a Budget

Creating and sticking to a holiday budget helps you avoid debt during the holiday season.   Sit down and write down every gift that you will need to buy and a budget for each gift.  Not only will this help you stay on track financially allow you to have a debt-free Christmas, but it will help take some stress off when you are actually doing the shopping. Knowing that you already have money set aside for a gift is empowering and takes some anxiety out of the shopping experience. It allows you to put your energy into finding the right gift, rather than how you are going to afford it.

When it comes to budgeting, don’t stop with gifts.  Spending around the holidays ramps up in other ways such as entertaining costs, travel costs (including gas!), and clothing expenses. Make sure to factor in these expenses when you are setting a budget as they tend to creep up but can be pretty significant.

Another tip when it comes to budgeting, make sure that you keep a record of how much you spent and reflect on it in January. This should be the starting point for how much you should aim to save for the next holiday season.  Take that amount you spent, make any adjustments, divide it by pay period and you have how much you need to set aside for next year.

Homemade Gifts

Some of my favorite gifts that I have ever received are homemade and personal. Instead of buying things for people, look for ways that you can make homemade gifts or gift experiences.  Not only will this save you money but it will be much more memorable for the recipient. Seriously, how many candles can one get?  Not very crafty? You don’t have to be, you can get a ton of inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram!

Use Reward Points

Another way to have a debt-free Christmas is to utilize those unused credit card rewards points that you have sitting around. One Christmas, I was able to knock off about half of my Christmas gifts by just using credit card points (that I didn’t even realize I had).  Credit card points and rewards can add up quickly so make sure to check out how much you have available.

Side Hustle

With the gig economy, it is incredibly easy to find ways to supplement your income or earn a little extra cash for the holidays in order to have a debt-free Christmas.   Become a Shipt driver or deliver for grub hub in the months leading up to the holidays. The beauty of these types of side hustles is that you can work them around your schedule. You can work for an hour of 12 hours, whichever works best for you!

Have a special skill or interest? You can also do some side jobs or provide some coaching to others in your field. Starting is as simple as posting on your local Facebook page.

An ancillary bonus is that not only do side hustles allow you to make extra money, but they also keep you busy so you actually spend less too.   It’s a win-win!

Unused Gift Cards

Everyone has old gift cards lying around. Maybe you only have a few dollars remaining on them or they are to stores that you don’t shop at.  Get them out of your junk drawer and put them to good use.  Sell unused gift cards on sites like Cardpool or Raise.  You can sell them for cash or for other gift cards that you can use for gifts.

Check your old purse, junk drawers, and your car glovebox. These add up very quickly!

Clear Out Clutter

Similarly, the holidays serve as a great time to clear out old stuff to make room for the new.  Hold a yard sale,  sell at a consignment shop, or use the Facebook marketplace to get rid of old items.   If you have kids, look for children’s resale shops like Once Upon a Child which gives you cash on the spot.   The sale of your old items can add up quickly and supply you with enough cash to avoid holiday debt. Plus, you get rid of things that are just taking up space!

Gift Exchanges

Another great way to cut down costs and have a debt-free Christmas is to look for ways to do gift exchanges instead of giving everyone a gift. For example,  instead of buying for all of your cousins, suggest a gift white elephant gift exchange and limit the price to $25.   This reduces your costs but can also be a ton of fun.  Our family does one and it is always fun to see what everyone bought and try to figure out who bought it.  You can also set themes around it to make it even more memorable and fun such as homemade gifts only, local sports, or cozy winter nights.   It’s the perfect way to reduce the amount of money you spend and the time that you spend shopping.

By following these steps, you will easily have a debt-free Christmas. One that you can enjoy guilt-free.

What are your tips to help you avoid holiday debt?    Leave a comment belOW

Need an emergency fund? Check out the reasons why you MUST have an emergency fund. 

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Top Gifts for Business Travelers

Top Gifts for Business Travelers

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Business travel can be grueling.  The constant in and out of the airport, waiting at the rental car lines, nights spent sleeping in unfamiliar beds, can be exhausting.   Anything to make this life a little easier goes a long way. Here is a list of the top gifts for business travelers.

Amazon Basics Hardside Carry On 

Every business traveler needs a good solid carry on. This carry on from Amazon Basics is study yet affordable and has a divider, three zippered pockets, and four swivel wheels.  It also comes in different sizes and colors.

 

UV Light Sanitizing Wand

Germs.  Ugh.   One of the absolute worst parts of traveling is encountering all kinds of germs on all kinds of surfaces.  This handy little device claims to kill 99.9% of germs which sounds like a win for me.  Even it if doesn’t kill 99.9% of germs, the placebo effect is still very strong. Feeling like you are in a clean environment makes a world of difference when you are traveling.

Portable Fan

I  love sleeping with a fan, in fact I must sleep with a fan. I love this little portable USB powered fan. It’s super compact and easy to pack and it can sit right on the end table. It has a rechargeable battery so you can place it anywhere without need it tethered to a power cord.   This is also a perfect size for a desk at work or cubicle.

Travel Steamer 

This little thing right here is a game changer. Much to my grandmother’s chagrin, I  do not know how to iron clothes. I  have tried and it never works out. At home, I    use a steamer if things get wrinkled. On the road? I use this little gem. This is a must have gift for business travelers. It is portable and can easily fit in a suitcase and is very easy to use. In minutes you can have your clothes ready to go and wrinkle free.

Phone Charging Padfolio

One of life’s biggest dilemmas when you are traveling on business is where you are going to charge your phone. Nothing is worse than being at an all day meeting with a dying phone.  This padfolio is a jack of all trades. For one, it is a traditional padfolio and allows you to keep jot your notes and a pen. It also has a space to store business cards that you collect or need to pass out.  The very best part of all? It is actually a power bank and has a built in phone stand and charging cables. How amazing is that?  You can charge your phone while you are sitting in any meeting, anywhere!  I wish I had this ten years ago.

Travel Power Strip 

Last business trip I forgot my phone charger. I was in Downtown Pittsburgh and I literals could not find a store that had a power adapter in stock. I ended up buying one in the hotel store for $40. I almost died knowing I can find them on Amazon for $5.   This little gadget will help you avoid that.  Stash it in your suitcase and you are covered! You can plug your phone, iPad, and computer at the same time.

Luggage Cup Holder 

There are very few times you will find me without a coffee in my hand. Although, I  am not skilled at balancing lugging my luggage with a coffee. This cup holder attaches to your luggage and allows you to cart your drink around hands-free.  What I  love most about this is it gives me a place to hold my coffee at the gate when there are no cupholders around. it’s the simple things in life <3.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes make life so much more simpler. It saves me sanity and space in my luggage. Who would know that bags within bags could change your life?   With the smaller packing cube, I bought an extra set of toiletries that I keep in my suitcase at all time. It’s saved me so much time, money, and sanity always having everything I need.

What are your travel must-haves? What are your top gifts for business travelers? We would love to hear. Leave a comment below!

 

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Struggles of Raising a Highly Intelligent Child

Struggles of Raising a Highly Intelligent Child

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I  will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

From his very first day on this Earth, my son has kept us on our toes. From day one, he was an alert, active, and sensitive newborn.  While, I was a new parent and didn’t have a good frame of reference, I just knew that there was something unique about him. My mom intuition just told me that he was special. I  had this feeling that he would need some extra help.

See, that is the biggest misconception about raising a highly intelligent (or gifted) kid. Everyone (my pre-kid self included) assumes that it would be a wonderful thing to have a highly intelligent child. And it absolutely is! However, it is not easy and it is not always fun.  Parenting a gifted child is tough and requires a lot of patience. You have to really work at your parenting in order to provide the support, structure, and love that your highly-intelligent child needs to thrive.

Here are a few struggles that I have encountered in my first 5 years of parenting a highly intelligent child.

Activity Level 

Increased physical activity is a very common characteristic of gifted children.  My son has energy for days.  He requires very little sleep and demands a TON of physical activity. And if doesn’t get enough physical activity, you know it. He starts to bounce off the wall and he begins having behavioral issues.  In fact, one of the first things I  have him do when he starts to act up is do some jumping jacks or pushups.   It requires a lot of our own energy to ensure that his physical requirements are met.

Sensitivity

My sweet little boy has also shown that he has a sensitive soul. For him, this manifests as irrational fears.  For example, he has this gut-wrenching fear of the Color Crew on the BabyFirst Channel. They are literally just crayons drawing pictures on the screen but you would think he was watching It.  Right now, his main fear is a purple ice cream truck.  He will not go outside right now because he is afraid of a purple ice cream truck (don’t know where this one came from).   Our house closes up like Fort Knox around 4:00pm every night and stays shuddered until morning time.

These are not just fears that cause him slight aversion. These are fears that are debilitating and will make him shake with fear.   It’s heartbreaking but unfortunately this type of sensitively is very common in highly intelligent children. It’s hard as a parent because family and friends probably feel that I am coddling him, they don’t understand the extent of his sensitivity.

Perfectionism

My son needs to be perfect at everything.   If he makes a mistake, he gets so upset and hard on himself.  While, I would categorize myself as a bit of a perfectionist as well, my son exhibits this at an unhealthy level.   He will clam up and not partake in activities that he is afraid he will not do well in.

This characteristic has shown up in big way now that he is in school.  If he has to be corrected by the teacher, he just loses it.  He gets so upset and starts saying that he is a “bad kid” and asking if his teacher still likes him. It is so difficult to watch and requires a lot of reassurance from everyone around him.   It’s very common for gifted kids to be extremely hard on themselves and requires a lot of observation and support from parents to ensure that it doesn’t start to erode his self esteem.

Developmental Delays

My son had a pretty significant speech delay and was a late potty-trainer. He is also a tad behind in terms of gross motor skills. The doctors explained that your brain can only (or just wants to focus) on one thing at a time.  The official term for this is Asynchronous Development. While he wasn’t talking at the age of two, he was counting up to 100+ and teaching himself to read. The mind is a fascinating thing.   Even today, he has no problem speaking but he can’t do some seemingly simple things that other kids his age can easily do.

School Work is Hell

Just because your kid is gifted, doesn’t mean that they are going to do their homework.  It is like pulling teeth to get my kid to do any organized learning activity that is not on his terms.  Luckily, he’s only in kindergarten so the bar here is really low, but it is still annoying.  He gets weekly Speech homework and it is like I am asking him to run through the Sahara uphill carrying his little sister on his back.   He literally has to say a few words and color a picture.  That is all.     But on the other hand, if it is something that he is intersected in he will sit there for hours.  He is currently interested in bankrupt companies so he will sit there and watch videos and read about corporate bankruptcies all day long. But color a picture of a squirrel? Nope. No can do, Mom.

Interesting Interests

Another interesting thing I  have learned about raising a highly intelligent child is that the child often has really peculiar interests. And not only is he into weird things, he is realllyyy into them.   We’re talking border-line unhealthy obsession.   When I  found out I    was having a boy I  envisioned a playroom filled with dinosaurs and matchbox cars. Instead, I have a playroom filled with homemade signs from abandoned stores and fire alarms.  Here are the phases we have been through:  trains, numbers & letters (our house looked like a serial killers lair), road signs, electrical outlets, diesel trains, fire alarms, exit signs, trains again, abandoned stores, ice cream trucks, and now we are back to numbers.   It’s really interesting to learn about fire alarms and fire alarm control panels but it makes it really hard to plan birthday parties.

Relatability to Same Aged Kids

Probably one the hardest things about having a highly intelligent kid is seeing your kid struggle in making friends and relating to other kids. Most kids in the neighborhood aren’t into exit signs and bankrupt companies. It can be really hard for my son to make friends and he doesn’t understand why.  Being in kindergarten helps and he is definitely gaining social skills but he still has challenges sometimes. Absolutely. Heart. Breaking.

While there are struggles to raising a super smart kid, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. He is such a gift and the coolest little kid around.  He amazes me with this intellect daily and I  just know he is going to change the world one day. Hopefully when he is a billionaire from inventing something amazing, he will remember how hard I worked and advocated to ensure he has the opportunity to thrive.

Do you have a highly intelligent child? What challenges have you faced?   What advice do you have for parents of highly intelligent or gifted children?

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