You’re trekking over what seems like miles of unforgiving sandy terrain, hauling pounds of gear and apparatus, your arms start to tremble from the strain, your knees begin to buckle, your voice is hoarse from yelling at the kids to slow down and then…you see it. The perfect patch of sand that is not too close to the water, not to close to other people. You call to the rest of the family with undue excitement, “This is our spot! Drop everything here!” Blankets, umbrellas, coolers, beach bags, shoes, shirts all tumble into a pile and everybody bolts to the water. But, wait. You’ve not only missed your chance to slather everybody with sunscreen, you’ve missed your best opportunity to stress to your kids that in the event that can’t find you, they should look for your stuff, head there and stay put. In the myriad of supplies that you’ve toted, you should bring items that will easily distinguish your area from the hundreds of other sunbathers on the beach. Here is a list of very visible markers to choose from to mark your spot:

· Pick a spot near a lifeguard tower. This serves as a visible landmark as well as keeps you close to help, if needed.

· Choose a bright-colored beach blanket with distinctive markings. Or, instead of a beach blanket, use a Queen sized flat sheet. They’re lighter to carry, easier to clean, and bigger than most beach blankets. Also, distinctive, bright colored designs are easy to find on a flat sheet (we bring along my daughter’s old Hello Kitty sheet – the brilliant pink kitty faces are easy to see and the only one on the beach!) (more…)

With days filled with diaper changes, feedings, playdates, potty training, homework and mountains of laundry, being a Happy Mom is something Moms rarely have time to contemplate. We surveyed a group of 50 moms and asked them if they considered themselves happy. But, we didn’t let them answer right away. We gave them ten solid minutes to really think about it. And then, when each and every mom responded “Yes, I am a happy mom!” we asked the tough question – why? We compiled their responses into an eight-question questionnaire to find out if you truly are a Happy Mom…

1. Are you secretly glad to see your children get on the bus to go to school so that you can have time to yourself? But, then are you watching for them out the window and missing them by the afternoon?

2. When walking past your child’s room at night, do you sometimes pause and are unable to resist the urge to peak in and watch her sleep? (more…)

When our kids are young, they need us every second. As they grow older and more independent, they need us less and less. So how do you continually maintain a strong family unit? We found a way that worked for our family:

My son was five when ‘it’ started. He went from a needy infant and toddler that needed my undying attention every minute to a sports fanatic who suddenly was only interested in talking to his dad and uncles in a foreign language of statistics and rosters. Determined not to lose him (and equally determined not to become immersed in a subject I despised) I decided we needed to find a common interest that both of us could enjoy. What we discovered was so much more. Read how finding a shared passion has brought my son and I closer together and we urge all families to find a passion of their own. (more…)

At this time of year, many families are off to the mountains to ski. Here are some creative parent-to-parent tips on skiing with your kids safely:

· Be visible - Dress both yourself and your kids in bright jackets, but NOT red or orange. These are typically the colors of ski patrol employees and will make you and your child blend into the masses on the slopes. Choose a bright green or pink or purple. If this isn’t possible for your ski jacket, invest in bright-colored gloves, hats and scarves.

· Identification – Place your business card or a note with the cellphone number you are carrying into the pocket of your children. If your child gets lost or hurt, the number to reach you will be immediately available. (more…)

During the day, we are many things to many people: mothers, daughters, wives, employees, bosses, counselors, confidantes. Each identity comes complete with its own uniform: apron, business suit, cocktail dress. But, when we shed these personas each night, we have the opportunity to be who we are inside, who we feel, match the mood of the moment. How do we accomplish this? Through our pajamas!

Our choice of pajamas allows us to reinvent ourselves each and every night. A lawyer by day wearing a crisp business suit sheds her stiff day clothes for silky pajamas at night; a policewoman tosses off her mandated uniform and throws on flannel pajama pants; a homemaker strips off her ‘Mom’ jeans and practical sweater to find lacey lingerie in her closet. No matter who we are by day, we can be whatever we want at night in our choice of pajamas. (more…)

Jen Varner and Amber Lipson are both Triangle moms that own and operate thriving businesses from their homes. Both moms make it work with very different outlooks on family time, raising their children and work/life balance.

Jen is an entrepreneur who founded a successful online maternity store before moving on to help other women who want to own an at-home business through her consulting business PureEcommerce (pureecommerce@yahoo.com). Jen manages to combine her family life of husband and three young children and business while keeping her kids at home with her. How does she do it? Find out when we interview her below.

Amber is a Certified Public Accountant and former Senior Manager at a Big 4 public accounting firm, writer, columnist and founder of her at-home online mother-daughter boutique, Footsteps Clothing (www.footstepsclothing.com). She has always separated her worklife and family time and chooses an out-of-home daycare provider. Amber is mom to eight-year-old son, Jarod and five-year-old daughter, Brooke.

Read how Amber and Jen, both successful at-home business owners, make their work and family life balance: (more…)

Planning a Mother-Daughter Spa Night can be one of the most special times that you share with your daughter. Here are some tried and true tips to make your night truly sweet:

· Talk it Up - Talking about your special night with your daughter and watching her excitement grow is as much fun as the event itself. Plan your special night when there is little chance that your plans will change or that you will be interrupted. Carve out at least a solid hour in the evening.

· Get the Goodies –Purchase some simple, inexpensive props during your next trip to the store such as scented candles, bubble bath, scented lotions and some glittery nail polish. Let her choose all the scents and colors. She’ll not only be thrilled to be consulted on these big decisions, but she will be itching to get into the tub.

· Mom, NO Multi-tasking! – This time is just for you and your daughter – an uninterrupted slice of solitude where girls can just be girls. This means: no answering the phone, no checking email, no tucking laundry into the dryer, no tidying up the bathroom. Get all those tasks done beforehand so you can concentrate only on your daughter. (more…)