No Surprise Social Marketers have their eye on MOMS

More moms are spending online.
Photo: fotosearch.com

With digital access at an all-time high, it's no surprise that social marketers are taking note of who's on the keyboard when it comes to online shopping -- especially with the rise in number of stay-at-home moms, remote jobs, flexible workplaces, and female entrepreneurs working from home offices. Who do you think are the key $ decision makers these days? You guessed it! Females. 


According to Mashable Business: Of the 65% of online adults who use social networking sites, 69% are female. Women not only spend 30% more time on these sites than men, but they also have larger networks. Wow! Goes to show who's making the household $ decisions :) Check out the full article 3 Ways to Reach the Head-of-Household. An interesting read! ~KLB

Transitioning Back to the Work Force

A mom's work is never done
photo Babble.com

If you're a stay-at-home mom trying to rejoin the workforce, chances are you have lots of questions about the smoothest path back to employment. Whether you're contemplating going back to your old position, looking for something closer to home, or part-time -- career moms have a lot to consider when it comes to balancing their personal and professional lives. I found this interesting video featuring Maggie Mistal, a career consultant on Martha Stewart Radio, which has good advice for women re-entering the workforce. Most important things to remember -- make sure you transition from the house to office when you're ready, ask for professional development if you feel your skills need a tune-up, and make sure your role is something you're passionate about. What's your story? How did you cope with entering back into the rat race? Remember you're not alone! ~KLB

Only You Can Make Your Dreams Come True

Are you too busy to enjoy life?

OK I admit I've been slacking in the blog area lately. I apologize! I'm trying to sort things out in my personal and professional life -- it's been a hectic few months. Our family is moving, the kids are crazy-busy with sports, my husband's just launched his new company, work is busier than ever, and I'm trying to fit in yoga classes... I know, I know, that's no excuse -- everyone's got their tale to tell! But hey, I'm back on track now and ready to go-go-go with whatever comes my way! With this in mind I'd like to note that procrastination is not something that comes easy however being the Libra that I am, I do find that indecisiveness sets in once in a while. :-) Agh! So bare with me while I get over this hump and plan my next step! I look forward to sharing some very exciting news with you soon. In the meantime, check out this interesting post by The Lady's Blogger Society http://bit.ly/mICUgM Enjoy and stay positive my friends! Only you can make your dreams come true so forge on!! ~ KLB

Yes Life Is Stressful, So Manage It!

Take control of your life

People ask me all the time why I bother writing this blog, and I simply say because  I love writing, I love helping and I love inspiring people. Plus, more than anything, I use it as a place where I can reflect on the things that are going on in my life. Hell, why not? I'm not even sure how many people care but all I know is that as I go through life it's nice to have a place where I can jot down my thoughts and inspirations.
On that note, the last few weeks have been quite stressful at work and as a result, there's been a lot of crazy late nights, really early mornings to the office, and to top it all off, I also found a popped blood vessel in my eye which I heard is stress-related - yuck! Need a vacation.

Yes, with everything that's going on in the world there's no wonder stress is the number one reason people are not coping in today's society. From natural disasters to bullying, employment rates to family issues -- there's no escaping S-T-R-E-S-S!! But the good news is that even though it may not seem like there’s anything we can do about it -- there is! Nope, the bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, the media will never stop reporting on worldwide disasters, and our demanding responsibilities at work and home will always be the norm... BUT in actual fact you do have A LOT MORE CONTROL than you might think.

Managing stress is all about TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE! Your personal and professional stress triggers are not going away so you have to take charge of them and not let them take charge of you. The first step is to make some positive changes in your life that will help manage life better. Whether it's stress from your job or family, or your lack of social life and personal time... the best advice is to take baby steps to change your behaviour, schedule, environment and/or expectations. Remember, your ULTIMATE GOAL is a balanced life with time for work, relationships, relaxation and most of all FUN!!! PEACE ALL ~ KLB

Practicing What We Preach

Cherish every moment

For those who may be expecting your first child, have young ones in school, or plan to start a family in the near future, remember there's something to be said about setting a good example on the home front. No matter how busy we are there's no excuse for taking your stress out on your kids or significant other. Life's way too short! When you get home from the office, turn off the computers and cell phones, and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Most of us only have an hour or two after making our way home before it's time to hit the sack so cherish every moment and know that today's unfinished work will always be there tomorrow. Tonight I came across a great article while researching influential mommy blogs that reinforced this notion. Check out this post by Dr. Christine Carter: http://huff.to/dLIjtf  ***Ladies, are you raising happiness at home? ~KLB

Don't try to be Superwoman

Don't let life get you down

Are you stressed? Overwhelmed? Most women are. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, careerist or newlywed, life is going to throw you curveballs and overwhelm you every once in a while ...  guaranteed. That’s life. My problem? I’m a people-pleaser. As a communications professional, wife and mother of two, it’s not an easy job. So I try to take my own advice that I give to other women ... Stop trying to be superwoman. The truth is that everyone around you already thinks you are a superwoman!! So calm down and don’t put the extra weight on your shoulders when it’s unnecessary. Excuse the pun. Whether you're stressed because of work, your spouse, your kids or your weight -- I urge you to slow down. Here are some tips on how to avoid stress and even worse, depression:

•    Be organized and prepared

•    Make time for fun

•    Make time for relaxing

•    Exercise

•    Eat healthy foods

•    Stay positive

•    Go to sleep at a regular time

•    Plan your time ahead

•    Be around people who make you feel happy

•    Be around people who you can talk to about your feelings

•    Stay away from people or situations that make you feel stressed

Hey ladies, how do you relieve stress?? ~KLB

Make Every Day Special!

What are your plans this Valentine's Day? Are you spending time with your partner or your kids, or both? Tonight I'll be at the hockey rink for my son Connor's game ...and that's OK by me. As I've gotten older I've come to realize that one day a year to spend special time with your loved ones isn't good enough. I say we put in a little effort each day to make them special -- whether it's a kiss in the morning before work, a special treat in their lunchbox, or simply saying 'I love you' before bed. This is what it's all about. Now don't get me wrong, I love to receive flowers or chocolates on February 14th, but why should this happen only once a year? :~) If you have kids here's a cool site with some suggestions on how to make special memories with your kids this Valentine's Day:  http://cascade.patch.com/articles/make-memories-with-the-kids-this-valentines-day Happy Valentine's Day everyone! ~ KLB

Canadian kids need more physical activity

Are your kids getting outside?

Fewer than one in 10 young people, and only 10% of Canadians as a whole, get enough exercise, according to Statistics Canada. The study comes after national guidelines for physical activity were actually lowered to make it easier for people to meet exercise goals. 

How are you helping your kids exercise? ~KLB

Count Your Blessings

Sometimes we fail to see success in the little things in life. Everyday routine can seem well, very routine, but hey isn't that part of life? Personally, I find Monday mornings extra tough (try getting a 6-year-old out of bed who loves his sleep waaaaay too much). Be thankful for what you have and the fact that your kids go to a good school, and you have a good job, and you have a family to work hard for. Here's a little inspirational quote for those of you who feel their days all seem to blend together as in the mundane. I say count your blessings and have a wonderful Monday! ~KLB   "In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet." 
~ Albert Schweitzer

Are You Happy ... Enough?

Gretchen Rubin, a former lawyer-turned writer, wanted to be happier so she devoted a year to testing strategies from sources as varied as Oprah to Plato. This mother-of-two started reading every self-help book she could get her hands on and after outlining a roster of resolutions for a year she developed a bestselling book in no time. Everything from cleaning her closet to being kinder to her husband and starting a children’s lit club ~ Rubin was determined to get happier. And she did. Rubin continues her project online at www.happiness-project.com. What are you doing to be happier this year? ~KLB

What makes me tick - 'da boyz!

What makes your life special?

My boys are 6.5 and 1.5 years old. They’re awesome. Already showing signs of becoming a pro athlete and famous musician (as per my husband lol) we are very fortunate that they are both happy and healthy. Being a mom is one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me. The ironic thing, however, is that growing up I never aspired to be a mama. I've always liked kids and I was a babysitter in my teens, but I was always focused on my career after university, not having a family of my own. Don't get me wrong I am a family-oriented person and very close to my parents and sister, but I never dreamed of producing offspring. Or at least the thought never crossed my mind until I turned 30. All that changed when I had my first son Connor in 2004, and re-affirmed again when Brock came along almost two years ago. Ever since my boys came into my life, I’ve changed. I now truly understand the importance of a mom’s affection for her babies and the term "motherly love." Being a mom has made me appreciate my own mom more too. So I guess this is my little tribute to all moms out there for their hard work and dedication to their families. Without you (us) our kids would not know how strong a mother’s love/bond is in life. Even if they don’t realize it until they’re older… much love ~KLB

How techy are you?

I must admit I'm not the most savvy cyberspace person to venture into the blogging world (but hey, I never claimed to be). However I am trying. After all isn't "connecting" with others who are in similar situations as you, or those who can at least relate, the reason we reach out in the first place? Maybe, maybe not. But either way, I just think it's crazy that my son (who's six) knows what the terms "Google" "e-mail" "Facebook" and even "iPod" mean and it simply blows my mind! Well, it has made me perhaps a little more savvy -- or at least aware of what I'm up against. Who knows. I can't wait to see what I'm going to have to learn in order to communicate with him when he's in his teens. Gawd help me... ~ KLB

Mommywood trials & tribulations

Celebs have to balance too

A friend of mine passed along a great blog by actress Gwyneth Paltrow ~ thanks Lisa :) It's called GOOP (GP's blog that is). This particular entry is about finding "good balance between having a career and being a mom."  BINGO! Find out how Gwyneth and a few of her famous friends juggle their busy careers and being a mom too. Hey if they can do it, so can we! Turns out some celebs are real people too... what do you think? Check out: http://www.goop.com/?page=newsletter_vn&id=most_recent  

How do you feel about celebrities airing their trials and tribulations of being a mommy? Do they measure up? ~ KLB

Don't forget about YOUR adult time!

Keep the romance alive

How many times have you heard from your parents that couples nowadays give up way too easy? The story seems all too familiar... the next step after engagement is marriage, then kids (or other way around) ... then divorce. Now I'm not saying that there are some relationships that don't deserve to break up (I've heard some horror stories), but I'm here to say that if you're with someone you love (and you're married to him/her or just dating) then make sure to keep the spark going! Life goes by way too fast not to cherish every moment. Plus your kids will notice your positive relationship (don't they say lead by example?) and after all, when the kids leave home it'll just be the two of you.... so have fun! Here are some habits of healthy, happy couples: http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/5-habits-of-the-happiest-couples-i-know-blog-5-goodhousekeeping.html Remember, it's important to be happy in all areas of life -- even with the kids running around and busy day jobs. What are you doing to make your relationship a priority this year? ~ KLB