MOM PROFILE: ANDREEA AYERS
Founder of Tees for Change
 Andreea Ayers started her business and had her first child almost simultaneously, a feat that would have been
tough to pull off if she weren't so passionate about both of her offspring! In our interview,
this inspired mom with a passion for green living shares her outlook on the power of positive thinking.
Click Here to Read the Interview.
|
|
THINGS I LOVE
Bob's Your Uncle weekly planner gives us an extra day.
 Groceries... permission slips... pile of photos to be scrapbooked... even bigger pile of bills...
What self-respecting mom hasn't wished they had an extra day each week to get stuff done?
Bob's
Your Uncle has solved the perpetual dilemma with their Eight Days A
Week Planner. It has ample space to plan your Monday through Sunday,
and then a clever "Someday" column to keep tabs on those things that
you just can't seem to cram into your already packed schedule.
This
planner has a space for every half hour from 7:30a to 6:30p, plus a few
at the bottom for anything else you might need to remember (bring
donuts to PTA meeting... call personal trainer immediately after PTA
meeting...). And, since you fill in the dates, this planner is ready to
assist whenever you are.
Carley
Says: I find that during the frenzied school week, my computer calendar
just doesn't cut it. I need something I can look at quickly, that only
has the stuff in it that gets me through the day. This notebook does
the trick. It's always where I need it, and it lies flat, so I can
leave it open all week!
Available at See Jane Work.
|
|
|
BOOK DEAL
Tired of threats? Put it in writing.
 Moms,
we're the ultimate household authority, right? Your children hear your
almighty word, drop whatever it is they're doing, and swiftly respond
with profound reverence? Isn't that how it always goes?
Yeah, not in my house, either.
Personally,
there are days that I get tired of the sound of my own voice. The
nagging, pleading, begging, rationalizing... and that's just before
school starts! And really, do any of the threats or negotiations help
our kids progress down the path to self-motivation? If us moms are
constantly badgering them to get stuff done, when are they going to be
motivated to do things themselves?
When I get to the end of
my rope, I look for creative ways to lay down the law. So if you're at
the point where you just can't bear to hear yourself say, "Did you even
hear what I said!?" for the millionth time, get some help from a book.
No, not a parenting book, but a great piece of fiction. Starring your
child. Written by you.
Dilemma:
Power struggles between Jake (age 3) and his mom, Gina, have hijacked
the morning routine, making them both late and cranky. Choosing an
outfit, eating breakfast, getting into the car... everything's an
ordeal. "Brush your teeth now- I mean, NOW!" and other threats fall on deaf ears. Tantrums abound.
Solution:
Gina writes a fantasy storybook, starring Jake, called "Jake's Good
Morning." In it, she details exactly how she wants things to go in the
morning, complete with praise and consequences if things go wrong.
Here's an excerpt:
Cowboy
Jake wakes up in the morning after a great sleep. Good Morning, Jake!
He plays with his toys and feeds his horse, Elroy. Then his mommy says,
"Time to Get Dressed!" and helps him put on the outfit they chose the
night before. [Picture of Jake all dressed] Lookin' good, Jake! If Jake doesn't get dressed when mom
asks, she warns him once. "Jake, this is your warning!" If Jake still
won't get dressed, his mom takes away his favorite toy until tomorrow,
and then gets him dressed. [Picture of sad Jake] Oh no, Jake! Mommy knows you'll make a
different choice tomorrow, buckaroo! Why it works:
Transitions can be rough for kids, especially when they're tired in the
AM. When you outline everything in a book starring your child, you add
some fun and predictability an otherwise stressful time of day. Read the book for fun when things are mellow so your child can commit it to
memory. Make it lighthearted and non-threatening. In a magical way, the book does all the work for you: Now that they know
how the book goes, it reinforces the routine without all your nag,
nag, nagging. It also bolsters their self-esteem ("My mom
believes I can make good choices"), sense of responsibility ("My mom
trusts me to do the right thing"), and optimism ("If I do what's asked of
me, good things will happen; If I mess up today, I can make a better
choice tomorrow"). You don't have to be an artist: Stick figures are
just fine. Better yet, get older kids to illustrate.
When your child
stars in their own book, the fiction becomes a reality, and so does a
peaceful morning.
Possible Side effects: Your child starts looking for his coverage in Us Weekly. A star is born.
|
|
Carley Knobloch is the founder of Mothercraft, a life coaching company that specializes in helping mothers build truly amazing lives and families. She is a certified life coach, author, workshop leader, business consultant and busy work-at-home mother.
Carley specializes in parenting skills, home organization, meal planning and wellness coaching. She believes that every mom has the keys to the life and family of her dreams, and through her successful life coaching practice she helps them build the confidence they need to make lasting lifestyle changes. Whether it's a working mom who seeks balance between career and parenthood, or a stay-at-home mom who has lost her sense of self, she uses a proven process of prioritizing and self-discovery to help them find success on their own terms.
To learn more about one-on-one life coaching sessions or fun group workshops, contact Mothercraft at 310-650-8944, or by email. Your enlightening first session with Mom Coach Carley Knobloch will focus on all major areas of your life and provide a vision of your fullest potential, both as a mom and as a person.
Coaching can be conducted in person in the Los Angeles area, or over the telephone, so no client is too far away.
Contact Carley
or
Visit The Mothercraft Website!
|
|
Dear Carley, 
