Handling Criticism – It’s not about you!
 
(Note: I’m jazzed that my colleague, Jo Della Penna, is guest blogging here at the GFM. I’m also
jazzed that her advice applies just as much to people criticizing your parenting  as it does to your
business. Okay–one more thing I’m jazzed about—she references one of my all-time favorite
books!
-Karen
 
Handling Criticisim: It’s Not About You!
by Jo Della Penna
Receiving testimonials are wonderful, aren’t they? Someone
 takes the time to praise you in writing so others will know how great
 it is to work with you. I love getting testimonials! Not only …

 While I can get as excited as anyone about all the wild, wonderful possibilities that exist within the expanse of a New Year, I also don’t want to jump right into the positive goals/resolutions thing that seems to be everywhere right now. Oh, I’ll be jumping on that bandwagon soon, but right now, I really need to be brutally honest with myself about what I WON’T be doing. What I’ve learned about myself is that I need to get really clear when I first figure out what isn’t working for …

As a mother, do you look forward to the holiday season? Or does it induce visions of tantrumming children, pouting relatives, and an ever-growing to-do list? You’d be in good company if you felt both excited and stressed.  No matter what holiday you celebrate, here are a few tips to keep you from wanting to throw in the towel and running away to the North Pole:

 1. Keep your expectations in check, and get clear on what you want. What would a stress-free, guilt-free holiday look like for YOU? Never mind what …

I must confess. There are times that working from home  and seeing the housework that awaits  really bums me out. There’s nothing that can set me off more than waking up to the same ol’ dog hair, dirty dishes, and piled laundry. Plus, while I want our home to be a comfy refuge, I often don’t want want to do what it takes to make it one.  And then there’s the fact that I feel pulled in a million directions with my family and my business. But that’s another post.
For me, …

BizMom’s “Secrets Revealed” Retreat
November 7-8, 2009, Salt Lake City, Utah

As a Millionaire Mindset BizMom have you ever…
…hidden in a closet so your kids can’t find you while you made a business call?
…raced through a fast food joint to feed the family in time to meet a deadline?
….spent hours strip searching your desk for that important piece of paper?
….been drowning in email “Quick Sand”?
….had a child in “melt down” while you were on the phone?
…felt like you were running way-past “empty” just trying to get it all done?
Chances are you have …

Hey, Moms—
Here’s a great e-mail that is circulating through the Momosphere. While I have no idea who originally wrote it, I do know that it definitely rings true for many of us. Any thoughts?
Job Description
This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,  I don’t believe any of us would have done it!!!!
POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, MaDad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging 
permanent work in an often chaotic environment. 
Candidates must possess excellent communication 
and organizational skills and be willing to work 
var iable hours, which will …

People ask me all the time why I would call my business and my website “The Guilt Free Mom” when guilt is such a natural part of our lives. We all live with it, so is it really possible to be absolutely, 100% guilt-free?
Excellent question. It all depends on how you define guilt. There have been several helpful books on the market dealing with motherhood and guilt (Mommy Guilt, I Was A Really Great Mom Before I Had Kids, Motherhood Without Guilt, among others). One thread that runs throughout such books is that moms …

At the beginning of a new year, it’s always inspiring to read about ways to set and reach your goals. There’s just something about fresh beginnings that can inspire you to action.  HOWEVER, I find that, sometimes, a little bit of humor, a touch of sarcasm, and a whole lotta truth can also inspire me. In that vein, here is my list of five things every mom should do if she wants to feel really bad about herself as a mother (and yes, they’re mostly tongue-in-cheek). I’m not promising that every …

Has anyone ever criticized your parenting? Or have you ever gotten one of those looks (and the wagging finger) from a little old lady who is horrified that your child isn’t wearing a coat in winter (never mind the power struggle you just went through to convince said child to wear the darn thing because it’s cold out!)? I recently had someone tell me I mustn’t be a good mother because my child’s hair is never brushed. Um, well…the bad (or good, depending on how you look at it) news is that her …

Or must they always be patient, loving and kind? Are the two mutually exclusive? As a mom of a strong willed child myself, I have yelled at my daughter and have responded with the patience of a saint. It depends on the day and how stressed I am. And how well I’ve taken care of myself. Much as we would like to be the perfect, all-knowing moms, it just ain’t possible. Really. It’s not. Being human prevents it. As an admitted perfectionist, this seriously bugs me. I’ve read way too …