JustMOMsensations

“Mommy please, can we do a lemonade stand this weekend??” said both daughter and son – repeatedly .   My husband and I gave in.   We decided to approach it as a teaching opportunity, as opposed just four hours in the hot sun – waiting, and waiting for potential purchasers willing to pay 25 cents to quench their thirst. The day became an introductory training session for the kids on sales and finances.   My husband specializes in both and me the former – so we were well positioned to convert our lifetime of knowledge into kid-friendly learning. Sales Lessons After the supplies were purchased and table and chairs in place, we sat the kids down to draw their signs.   Advertising is key to draw attention to the product.   They affixed signs to both the front and back of their stand, so both foot and auto traffic could be attracted.   They marketed their products by going door-to-door, inviting neighbours to buy their lemonade, and by jumping up and dow...

If asked to make a list of negative things impacting the harmony of my family, these items are definitely close to the top: ·          Parents struggling with weight gain and lack of energy ·          Tired in the morning – difficult to get moving ·          Lack of patience – parents and kids ·          Kids squabbling more than ‘normal’ ·          Kids having trouble focusing at school and with homework Could all our issues be impacted by each of us getting more sleep?   Recent studies suggest more sleep could be the solution!   The Mayo Clinic says sleeping less than 5 hours nightly can cause weight gain.    The study suggests that lack of sleep affects hormones, which play a role in our metabolism.   It also reminds us that peopl...

My children have unknowingly become the moderators of my work/life balance.   As parents, we focus on teaching our children and preparing them for the future.   The by-product of parenting, if we pay close attention, is the lessons we learn from our tiny humans. Looking back, there were lots of cues offered to me from my kids.   As early as 2-years old, my son would close the lid on my laptop and say, “no ‘puter”.   Then, I would sometimes listen.   Now that he is 5-years old, and those years have flown by, I close the computer every time and accept that heart-filling snuggle, that might prove elusive in another 10 years. This winter, my 8-year old daughter asked if she could cut-back on her public speaking lessons, because it was taking away from family time.   At 8 years old, she already possessed the ability to balance - that work-life balance that I had strived for, over 2 decades.   I immediately agreed and praised her for her insight, b...

Garage Sale Season Begins .....   Whether you are participating in a community organized sale or having one of your own, garage sales are a great way to shed rarely used items, earn a little extra money and get to meet your neighbors.   This blog includes some tips on how to prepare to make the day run smoothly and add a little fun. 1.  Go through your home to collect items Plan ahead and set aside items throughout the year, keeping them in a storage box until garage sale day arrives.   You can also prepare immediately prior to the event, while you are spring cleaning through your house to remove clutter and freshen up your home. 2.  Plan a date that makes sense Select a date the promises reasonable weather for outdoor shopping.   Check the events calendar to ensure there isn’t a community event that will compete with your sale.   Do not choose a weekend that is known for people exiting the city, such as Easter, or a summer long wee...

Imagine reliving the exquisite moments of that dream vacation each time you taste a succulent dish or savour the aroma of a smooth wine.   Scientific research calls it " Proustian Memory " .   The chemical reaction in our bodies can cause the aroma of that perfect pasta sauce you are whipping up in a Northern Ontario kitchen to transport you back in time - to a village in Tuscany. A tour of Italy is on my bucket list.   CWT Vacations is offering a package this October that ticks off all of my wishes.   A 10 day trip , including the must haves:  √ famous sites   √ historic cathedrals   √ authentic villages     AND the luxuries of: √ cooking lessons with an authentic Italian Chef √wine tasting tour - sipping and touring amongst the grape vines.   For this foodie and wine lover – no better match exists.   I image savouring each moment of this dream vacation during the 10 days of the trip – then, returning to my own...

After making progress with the art of pushing blog content to readers, it was time to drag more people directly to my blog.   I required readers on my blog in order to increase the odds of collecting valuable feedback about the writing content, and to build momentum for future advertising revenue opportunities.   To drag readers to my blog, I employed the strategies of pull marketing, with a ’social’ flare. Social-izing Pull Marketing Including the post link in a communication is intended to pull viewers directly to your content.   An interest sparking headline or lead-in prompts the reader to click to follow the content.   If the writing fulfills its promise, visitors might be motivated to read other posts and become a dedicated follower.   If there are ads on the site that entice, viewer clicks may earn income for blog ads that represent a revenue source. Pulling readers to your blog site provides the opportunity to create more loyal followers a...

To tell or not to tell, that is my question.    If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I had to explain about Santa just a few short months ago ( click here to read ).   My question is this; now that the Santa bubble is burst, should all other childhood myths follow suit?   As a parent, should I be proactive and explain ahead of time or wait until I am asked?   When she was only 4 and still believed ...   My key concern is credibility with my children.   I want to maintain the trust and open dialogue we have developed thus far.   So go at it!!! Comment below with your opinion. Thank you in advance!!!