Have You Mapped Your Career Lately?

Michelle Vandepol discusses how career mapping can really assist when determining your career goals and being successful in the workplace.

Now that the kids are back into the swing of things, it's safe to say that this will be your new level of busy for the next year. It is already possible to identify what things are going to make life a bit more stressful. I'm not advocating dropping activities (but if you are truly overwhelmed, now is the time to do it not when the lesson or sport season has more invested in it) but it doesn't hurt to take stock of what is working and what isn't. Outside of scheduling and once you have the calendar a bit more figured, you can step outside of the box where it's all about the kids, and think about your own personal work goals.

Back To School - Getting Off On the Right Foot

Michelle Vandepol writes about how to stay organized at this busy time of year.

Organizing oneself to get the kids back to school is the sort of thing mothers either love or dread or feel conflicted about. I think it all comes down to the part of fall cleaning where everything in the house gets pulled out to look for something specific like sports gear, reusable school supplies and backpacks, lunch bags, etc. How does it usually end? With everything out and the house in need of a clean and then before you know it, it's dinner and everything is out and dinner is not on, and you are no further than when you started except maybe a little grumpier. It's enough to make you not want to even start.

The Summer of Reinvention

As summer stretches out before us, we hope you are having a chance to relax and enjoy yourselves.  When you get a moment, I am sure you will enjoy Michelle Vanderpol's article about ways to keep the lovely relaxed feeling of summer even when the kids go back to school. Along with tips on how to "life sort" this is a great read for the summer.

Getting Flex-Time No Matter Where You Work

Michelle Vandepol writes another wonderful article this month for Connect Moms.  This time she touches on ways to get flex-time no matter where you work.

Is there opportunity for everyone to have a family friendly work schedule? Do you dare rock the boat in a shifting employment climate?

At some positions, it may not seem like a possibility at first glance. Some companies have long established histories of corporate striving with a come in early, leave late work style across the board. The truth is, work output and results will vary from person to person, and if you can be a stand-out; you will have successfully upped your negotiating power for the title and timetable you want.

Not Giving Working Mom Guilt The Last Word

This is a special month for all moms with Mother's Day almost here.  It is a time to recognize moms everywhere for all the fantastic things they do. 

This month Michelle Vandepol writes about the two sides of guilt that are ever present in a moms life and how to remain positive. 

From everyone at Connect Moms have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Prioritizing Lunch

Michelle Vandepol writes about prioritizing lunch in our busy days.

Nutrition and the workplace - they can go together. The pace of the working mom's day is often an excuse for poor eating habits, but the truth is that there are a lot of healthy convenience foods too.
Think about what's missing now in your at work eating - relaxation, change of scenery, non messy options, more fruits and vegetables. It might be a simple a matter as slowing down when you eat, clearing your desk clutter if you eat at your desk, or stepping out into the fresh air with your sandwich.

Gifts for Mom: Breaking out of the Heart Shaped Box

Michelle Vanderpol writes about remembering gifts for yourself this Valentines Day.

On the day we often go about ways things to show our loved ones we care, there's a new twist to the plan - plan in some gifts for you, mom.

True New Years Changes

Michelle Vanderpol brings in the New Year on Connect Moms with an article focussed on True New Years Changes.

Michelle writes -

New years resolutions usually involve less chocolate and more step counting, but is that really addressing the crux of our needs? While good health is part of the whole picture, there can be things more toxic to our health and well being than a few extra pounds. Take the unhealthy relationships like workplace bullying or back stabbing, for example. How about clutter and procrastination that are becoming self sabotaging? Among the most common and most damaging - how often are you living for other people's expectations?

Celebrating the Holidays

Michelle Vanderpol writes about how to make the most of the festive season.

Celebrating the holidays is something we look forward to while trying to minimize the damage done by dealing with deadlines, work parties, increased expenses, and holiday time. Celebrating is about more than surviving. Even if you are not one of the ones the articles on organizing talk about who have their shopping already done, you can still make the holiday season about more than the mall crush.

Working For The Weekend

Michelle Vanderpol writes about how working for the weekend may actually not be such a bad idea!