Today I was reading something online where a reporter was trying to prove his theory that moms, on average, have 30 or more hours of free time each week, and I couldn't help but laugh.  Really? 30 hours of free time?  Who are these moms?  And how did they not only get free time, but 30 or more hours of it each week?  Most moms I know are happy to have 30 minutes to themselves, in between making lunches, doing laundry, helping with schoolwork, driving kids to/from activities, cleaning, cooking, doing more laundry and thousands of other things that they do every day.  And these are the things that they do in addition to working at home or outside the home, full or part time or being a stay-at-home-mom.  Earlier this year, compensation analysts from Salary.com found that a stay-at-home mom puts in a 100 hour work week, made up of six 15-hour days and one 10-hour day, and if paid an annual salary in cash, each mom would earn over $138,000 per year, plus overtime. 

When you become a mom, your life becomes more about someone else and less about yourself.  But somewhere along the line, many moms lose themselves when their lives become all about their children and their spouse and nothing about themselves.  As moms, we need to remember to take some time and do something for ourselves - whether its as simple as sitting and reading a magazine or going to get a haircut.  We need to find a balance between existing for our children and existing for ourselves and work really hard to maintain it. 

Moms, what do you do for yourself? Do you get a babysitter and go on a date with your spouse? Or do you leave your spouse with the kids and escape to a quiet place? We want to know - e-mail us at info@liparentsource.com (and we'll send out some prizes at random as a thank you for your answers). 

The Great Appliance Swap-Out is almost here!  Remember Cash for Clunkers from last summer?  Now, instead of cars, think household appliances.  New York State will issue approximately $16.8 million in cash rebates to New York residents who purchase approved Energy Star or High Efficiency Energy Star refrigerators, washing machines, freezers and dishwashers from February 12 through February 21.   Rebates will range from $50 to $105 for a single unit and up to $555 for the purchase of a three-appliance package.  In addition, consumers who recycle their old "clunker" appliances will receive larger rebates.   This program has a lot of pluses - it's great for the environment and great for budgets - so if you're thinking that you might need something new, now might be a great time to make that purchase.  For information on specific appliances and rebates as well as rebate forms and more information, visit www.nyapplianceswapout.com.

Don't forget to visit our blog - we've got some great posts including a review of all natural nailpolish for kids and news about a fun contest and upcoming concert from our friend, Bari Koral.

Keep reading this newsletter for information about some great upcoming events and a fantastic 5 minute routine to make each day start off on the right foot.  We're getting information posted to our Events Calendar about great programs for kids during President's Week vacation.

Have a great week!

Being in the corporate world for 16 years made it necessary for me to get dressed in nice clothes and apply some make up every day. When I was young and I started working, my makeup made me look more mature. As I got older and started having kids, it helped to cover the dark circles under my eyes that were a product of midnight feedings. Somewhere between then and now, something got lost, and for the past few years, I haven't really cared too much about makeup because I was consumed with all of my mommy obligations. 

About a year and a half ago, I starter a home-based business and within a few months gave up my high pressure corporate accounting job for the less stressful work from home one, or so I thought. Working from home is not as easy as it seems to be because it comes with a whole new set of challenges to meet.  After I started working from home, I was thrilled not to have to get up every day to get dressed in a suit and put on makeup.  A few months in, I started getting comments based on my appearance like "You played hooky again today," (from my husband), "I would never know you sold makeup, I never see you wearing any," (from a friend) and "Are you getting any sleep?" (from my former boss), and I started to think that there had to be somewhat of a happy medium between my former and current worlds.

I remembered someone once said to me that if you want to sound happy on the phone, smile when you are talking, and I decided to put that theory to the test.  Starting that day, I began a revised version of my former work day routine.  I made sure that every day, I woke up and showered and got dressed in clothes that matched, no matter how much I knew I wouldn't be walking out the door that day.  I didn't go too crazy, I still wear my fair share of sweat suits, but they are cuter.  My last step each day was to put on a little makeup.

The first day of my test, my husband came home and asked where I had gone that day.  He was surprised, to say the least, when I said nowhere.  A few days later, he came home and told me how great I looked that day.  I slowly started to realize that not only was he noticing, but I was feeling better about myself.

Although the first few days of this new routine may feel like a job in itself, it's vitally important to you sense of self to take these 5 minutes to yourself each morning.  We get so set in our routines that it's hard to make changes, even ones that are for the better, but I promise you that these 5 minutes will make a world of difference - you will be more productive during the day, plus, if you have a last minute need to get out of the house, you will look great!

Visit our blog for a great 5 minute make-up routine that will make you feel fresh and alive.  Give it a try, see how you feel!

Angela Poppe is an Independent Consultant, Executive Area Manager with Arbonne International. For more information and make-up tips visit www.angelapoppe.myarbonne.com

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

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It started with a book! LICM visitors will receive a visual reminder of that fact as they step into a larger than life, pop-up book that dazzles the eye and stimulates the mind. LICM is the first museum to play host to this brand new traveling exhibit based upon the original book by L. Frank Baum that has enchanted generations. Families will experience science, art and history through the magic of this timeless story. Each exhibit section features an oversized three-dimensional book opened to a page of the classic story. Children will have the opportunity to role play in Dorothy's house, see the power of tornados as they crank up their own storm, solve brain teasers alongside the Scarecrow, learn heart facts with the Tin Man and crawl through a cave to test their courage. During their exhibit visit, guests can expect to run into munchkins, flying monkeys, the wicked witch and of course, the Wizard of Oz, himself!

The exhibition was produced and developed by Great Explorations Children's Museum of St. Petersburg, Florida; designed and fabricated by Bruce Barry's Wacky World Studios of Oldsmar, Florida. Robert Baum and Gita Morena - great grandchildren of L. Frank Baum, and The International Wizard of Oz Club - scholars, collectors and enthusiasts, advised on the exhibit development.

Are you looking for a natural, safe and effective way to improve either your or your child's health? If so, D.R.E.A.M. Wellness in Great Neck is the place for you. Dr. Adam Glassman is a local Chiropractor specializing in family Wellness Care. His office is child friendly with all the latest pediatric and perinatal equipment, as well as all the latest diagnostic tools to evaluate each member of your family's nervous system. Dr. Glassman is a member of The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (I.C.P.A.) and he is the President for The New York Chiropractic Council's Nassau District.

The most common reasons parents bring their children to D.R.E.A.M. Wellness include Sensory Processing Disorders, ear problems such as chronic ear infections or fluid in the ear, ADD/ADHD, scoliosis, posture imbalances, Autism and wellness care. Furthermore, Dr. Glassman is certified in The Webster Technique, a specific technique for pregnant women. The most common reasons a pregnant woman visits Dr. Glassman's office is for low back pain, sciatica, headaches, numbness and tingling and wellness care.

D.R.E.A.M. Wellness is located at 38 Great Neck Road in Great Neck.  For more information on the services Dr. Glassman offers, call him at 516.829.8099 or visit their website at www.DREAMWellness.com.