Mom in the City http://mominthecity.com/blog/ FREE social and charitable group for ALL expectant moms and moms with children five and under in the NYC metro area. en Copyright 2006 Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:25:35 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2ysb5-20051201 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 7 Favorite Things for 2007 (January) 1-Since my son will be a big brother in February, I am loving the big brother t-shirts on the market.  A couple of my favorites can be found at http://www.blossomingbabes.com/ and http://www.littleshowoffs.com/.

 

 

2-I have strongly hinted to my husband that I want a double sibling ring from http://www.nelleandlizzy.com/ after giving birth to our second son in February. ($72)

 

3-I love bath and body products and one of my holiday gifts to myself was the Philosophy Amazing Grace Hot Salt Scrub. I love the perfumed hot salt, exfoliating tub and shower scrub and I enjoy reading the inspiring message on the jar. ($25)

 http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/product_10001_10001_-1_25706_24028

 

4-My new favorite scent is Euphoria Perfume for Women by Calvin Klein.  Part of the attraction is the name, which means “joy”.  It also smells really nice!  It can be found in major department stores.

5-One of the things that I enjoy and have resolved to do more of this year is have high tea.  One of my favorite spots in the city is Alice’s Tea Cup (www.alicesteacup.com).  It’s cozy, intimate and the food is yummy!

6-Now that I’m contemplating college expenses for a second child, savings (and for some strange reason!) piggy banks are on my mind.  Two of my favorite are the white piggy bank from http://www.pamelabarsky.com ($28) and the “Coink” Piggy Bank by http://www.karkula.com/ ($40).

 

 

7-The minimalist that I am, I love simple glasses.  Another thing that I love is finding reasonable prices at luxury stores.  So, imagine my delight in finding a set of 6 “Gio” juice, tumbler or highball glasses ($18) at http://www.nancykoltesathome.com/

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_favorite_things.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_favorite_things.html Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:25:35 -0500 January Helpful Links Charity Picks
http://www.roomtogrow.org/
The mission of Room to Grow is to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their critical first three years of development. Parents expecting a baby are referred to Room to Grow by prenatal programs assisting low-income families throughout New York City. Upon their referral, parents visit our warm and inviting space every three months from just before the birth of their baby until their child turns three. During their one-on-one appointments with a social worker, parents select new and nearly new clothing, books, toys and other baby essentials, free of charge, and receive information and support to ensure their child's healthy and secure start in life.


Child Classes
www.gymtime.net  
Gymtime, Rhythm and Glues offers Movement, Educational and Recreational Gymnastics, Sports, Tae Kwon Do, Cooking, Music, Art and a Preschool Alternative - for children ages 6 months to 12 years.  For more information about our program click on the above link or call us at 212-861-7732.  Join the Gymtime Family this September for our 15th year of fun! http://www.mybabyfingers.com/
Unique Program Offering NYC Based Sign Language & Music Classes

Exercise Programs
www.prenatalyogacenter.com
The Prenatal Yoga Center specializes in pre/postnatal yoga. The prenatal yoga class strengthens and helps to alleviate many of the discomforts of pregnancy. The postnatal and mommy and me classes helps regain strength and energy. Both pre/postnatal classes address the new changes you and your baby are experiencing in a comfortable and contemplative environment. Weekend lectures and workshops are also offered for new and expectant parents.

Gift Suggestions
http://www.americaisme.com
Share America's wonderful traditions and landmarks where your child can be the star! Simply place a photo of your child in the "face space" provided on each page. There are 6 America-themed pages so up to 6 children can share in the fun! Your child can be the Statue of Liberty, a baseball player, at the Thanksgiving table, watching 4th of July fireworks and even the President of the United States!

http://www.michaelcfina.com/
Serving customers since 1935, Michael C. Fina has established itself as the ultimate bridal and lifestyle specialty retailer for the consumer who demands outstanding service, the best in design, and the finest selection of bridal merchandise. The Fina family continues to strengthen the reputation of its retail institution, based on the success of its employees, the most complete assortment of home furnishings, tabletop, jewelry and timepieces, and the preeminent bridal and gift registry service in the country.

Maid Service
http://www.miraclemaidscleaning.com
New York’s BEST Maid Service

Massage
www.susilauramassage.com
Susi Laura, Licensed Massage Therapist is a graduate of the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in New York City. In addition to her work in spas, physical therapy centers and personal training gyms, Susi Laura has private practices in New York and Connecticut.

Parenting Resources
www.babybitesnyc.com
Baby Bites NYC is the new wave of luncheons for moms and their babies.  Enjoy a delicious, healthy lunch and get the chance to meet and socialize with lots of new moms.  Each luncheon features an expert guest speaker who lends support on a topic relevant to early motherhood.  There are both East Side and West Side luncheons as well as free raffles with amazing prizes from Giggle, Patemm, and more.

http://nyc.babyzone.com
Your pregnancy, parenting and family planning community and resource

http://www.childavenue.com
Online Resources for Parents

http://www.happybabyfood.com 
Organic, fresh frozen baby meals in convenient 1-oz cubes.  For every package you buy, you and HAPPYBABY partner with Project Peanut Butter in Malawi to feed one starving baby for one whole day.

http://www.PlaygroupToday.com
Playgroup Today is a new, free service to find, start or manage a playgroup. It is a great way to connect with other families and find playmates for your children!

http://www.gothambaby.com/home/
A place for mommies, daddies & kiddies to connect

1 ]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_helpful_links.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_helpful_links.html Helpful Links Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:03:33 -0500 January Special Offers -10% off ebeanstalk
http://www.ebeanstalk.com
ebeanstalk, a new site, is all about child development...with expert selected development toys, delivered at the appropriate stage of a child's development.  Mom in the City members save 10% when they use the code M2 PFT and mention "Mom in the City" at checkout.

-15% off at Mommy Makeup
http://www.mommymakeup.com
Save 15% off any order for Mom in the City members, excluding shipping.  You must use the above link.

-10% off New for Baby purchases
http://www.newforbaby.com
Finally, the PERFECT newborn layette.  Created by two Mommies, New For Baby is designed to fit newborns up to three months, with unmatched detail (snaps at the neckline, low rise pants, fold-over cuffs...) in fresh, modern colors and sweet designs.  Also available in adorably packaged gift sets.  Save 10% on your purchase by using the code MITC06. 

-15% off first session with Paloma Sendrey
http://www.palomasendrey.com/
Popular New York City children's photographer, Paloma Sendrey has been capturing whimsical, poignant and delicious images of babes, tots and families since 1999.  Mention "Moms In The City" to get a 15% discount off your first session.

-10% off at Giftybox.com
www.giftybox.com/home.php?partner=mominthecity
Giftybox is a new concept in gift giving: the first guidebook & gift pass combo. From dining to well-being, from wine tasting to salsa dancing, from kayaking to scuba diving... Giftybox offers you the complete freedom to choose when, where and how to use your gift. You get to choose exactly what you want to "experience". (They recently added a "Kids' Activities" Giftybox featuring 14 fun activities to choose from, with an age range from 6 months to 12years. By clicking the above link, Mom in the City members receive an exclusive 10% discount on all Giftyboxes.

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_special_offers.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_special_offers.html Special Offers Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:48:45 -0500 January Event: The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet Following are the details for the Mom in the City visit to The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet (http://www.mandjshow.com/):

When: Wednesday, January 24, 2007. The time commitment is 7:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Breakfast will be provided and the show will be live from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.)

Where: FOX Studios; 133 West 47th Street; (between 6th & 7th Avenues)

How: RSVP via email to Julie Smith, the audience coordinator at Julie.Smith@FOXNEWS.COM. Tell her you would like to attend on 1/24/07 with the Mom in the City group and how many seats you would like to reserve. The RSVP deadline is 1/10/07. Please cc me (kcoleman@mominthecity.com) on the email.

Why: This show will feature topics relevant to women, especially mothers.  See great guests, get information you can use, and receive fantastic giveaways!

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_event_the_morning_show_with_mike_and_juliet_.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_event_the_morning_show_with_mike_and_juliet_.html Our Events Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:43:34 -0500 January Giveaway To start the year off on a safe note, one mom will win a Vocal Smoke Detector by KidSmart (http://www.kidsmartcorp.com/).

 

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_giveaway.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/january_giveaway.html Giveaways Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:29:08 -0500 Mommy Lit I normally read non-fiction books, but I made a decision to read more fiction “brain candy” for 2007.  Soon after making that decision, Touchstone-Fireside sent me a few chick lit books (featuring moms) to preview.  In the last week, I have read two of the three books. 

I loved the first book, Wife in the Fast Lane by Karen Quinn, the author of the previous bestselling book, The Ivy Chronicles.  This book was so great that I stayed up until 3 in the morning one night finishing it.  The book is a about a woman named Christy Hayes, a former two-time Olympic gold medalist who over the course of the book runs a multi-billion dollar athletic shoe business, marries a rich, handsome husband and becomes the guardian of her housekeeper’s granddaughter.  That’s the nice part.  On the dark side, she faces a corporate takeover (by her best friend!); endures Manhattan private school craziness and catches her husband in a compromising position with another woman.  Of course, since this is a novel, everything ties up nicely at the end.  The good thing about this book (that makes it more than brain candy to me) is that it really made me think about the various choices that women make in our quest to “have it all”…the husband, the kids and the career.  It also made me think how important it is for me to keep the “spice” in my relationship with my husband.  (You’ll understand after you read the book.)  I highly recommend this book which should be out in stores in March of 2007.

I also enjoyed the second book, Looks To Die For by Janice Kaplan, the co-author of the national bestsellers, The Botox Diaries, Mine Are Spectacular!, and The Men I Didn’t Marry.  The book is about interior decorator Lacy Fields, who over the course of the book solves the murder of a Hollywood starlet while trying to be a great wife, mother of two teens (one being the stereotypical rebellious teen girl) and still holding down her interior decorating job.  (The murder was initially pinned on her husband, a famous L.A. plastic surgeon.)  I found several of the scenarios pretty improbable and I figured out the true murderer by the end.  However, I recommend the book, which will be published in February of 2007, as a quick, easy read. (I read the book in a day.)

 

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/mommy_lit.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/mommy_lit.html Reviews Sat, 23 Dec 2006 00:42:14 -0500 New York Office of The Mom Corps Opens FYI:

"I am incredibly excited to announce that I am opening the New York Office of an amazing company called Mom Corps (www.momcorps.com).  Mom Corps is an innovative staffing company that connects highly skilled mothers with flexible work assignments.


Mom Corps was founded in 2005 by Allison Karl O'Kelly, entrepreneur, CPA and Harvard MBA, and attracts highly accomplished business women in a variety of  professional fields including accounting, law, human resources, medicine, marketing and general business.  Our candidates are the highest caliber professionals with proven experience and nationally recognized top degrees.  We work with corporations to identify project, part-time and contract flexible positions that require the high-level expertise and experience of our candidates.  The obvious benefits are that corporations operate more productively without incurring additional overhead or benefits, while working mothers are able to achieve a far more effective and satisfying work/life balance. 

Studies have shown that 37% of highly qualified women voluntarily leave their high powered jobs for some time period.  Usually this hiatus is prompted by family responsibility.  Of these women, 90% are interested in returning to work but require some level of flexibility.  We know the talent is out there.  And that's what we do - we find them and match their skill sets with the companies that need them.

This organization is putting into practice an idea whose time has come and I could't be more thrilled to head up this endeavor in the tri-state area.  I love New York and I believe that with the talent pool in our area and Mom Corps expertise we couldn't be better positioned to spearhead this effort in one of the most challenging and dynamic marketplaces in the world.

Please make a note of my contact information and feel free to share this email with other talented friends or colleagues who may be interested in learning more about Mom Corps.  If you know any professional women who are currently looking to get back into the workforce or who would like to explore more flexible options, please direct them to our website www.momcorps.com where they can submit their resume.


Thanks so much and drop me a line if you have any questions.

Regards,
Linda"

Linda Caruso

Regional Vice President, New York

linda@momcorps.com

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/new_york_office_of_the_mom_corps_opens.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/new_york_office_of_the_mom_corps_opens.html Opportunities Fri, 22 Dec 2006 23:51:46 -0500 Sickday Medical House Calls

Sickday - www.sickdayhousecalls.com - is a just-launched medical house call service for New York City residents and visitors. I think that it's a great resource for moms!

Q&A With Naomi Friedman, Founder of Sickday Medical House Calls

Q:  What services do you provide? 

A: Sickday’s mission is to bring the doctor’s office to your doorstep and get patients feeling better fast.  We are open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to provide a full range of service such as:

  • Comprehensive medical histories
  • Diagnostic exams
  • Medications prescribed
  • Prescriptions renewed
  • Ordering and interpreting lab tests and x-rays
  • Affiliated with major hospitals
  • Referrals to traditional and alternative sub-specialties
  • Phone follow-ups after every visit

Q:  How much does a visit cost and what are my payment options?

A:   A visit cost $250. Payment options include: cash and check

Q:  How does Sickday benefit patients?

A:  Sickday provides prompt care in the comfort and convenience of your home, office or hotel room.  That means access to quick, affordable care seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Sickday practitioners also spend more time with patients, assessing environmental factors and gathering information that is relevant in making a diagnosis and speedy recovery.   

Q:  How is treating patients different in their environment vs. an office?

A:  I’ve found my patients are more comfortable and communicate more information when they are in their own environment.  I can also assess lifestyle factors that might affect my diagnosis and often I get additional input from family members or caregivers that would not be present during an office visit. 

I’ve also seen plenty of patients that were just too sick to get to the doctor’s office and they are so grateful to have the option to stay home or in their hotel room and still get professional care. 

Q: What’s the most unusual case you’ve ever treated?

A: I got a call on New Year’s morning from a club DJ who had been wearing earplugs for a New Year’s Eve party the night before and had difficulty removing one of them. It was definitely lodged in his ear but not so deep that I wasn’t able to remove it. It was a delicate situation but resolved fairly quickly. He was thrilled and relieved. I laughed to myself as I left his home and wondered what else I might encounter in the future.

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/sickday_medical_house_calls.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/sickday_medical_house_calls.html Helpful Links Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:25:16 -0500 FREE Good Dog at Zutano

Get a FREE Good Dog plush toy* with every order over $50!!
From December 15th through December 21st all orders over $50** will recieve a FREE Good Dog plush toy! All orders over $50 will also qualify for a shipping upgrade: 2-Day Expedited Shipping for the price of standard ground shipping! With offers this good, that last minute holiday shopping will be done before you know it!

Visit http://shop.zutano.com/ to find the perfect last minute gift...

1 ]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/free_good_dog_at_zutano.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/free_good_dog_at_zutano.html Special Offers Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:02:26 -0500 Family Date My husband, son and I had a "family date" yesterday.  Although we regularly spend time as a family, there are certain days (like yesterday) where we focus on doing things that my son would enjoy...you know, "making memories". 

Since our son (Michael) has been dancing around the house singing "Don't Push Me "Cause I'm Close to the Edge... from Happy Feet since he started seeing the commercials a month ago, it was an easy pick to go see the movie.  It was our first time taking him to a movie theatre, so we went to a matinee showing.  We didn't know what to expect, because Michael hates dark places and loud noises.  To our delight, he loved the movie.  My husband and I also enjoyed the movie.  The singing (Hugh Jackman and Brittany Murphy have really great singing voices!) and dancing were so cute  There were parts in the movie that were a bit inappropriate for a children's movie (sexual innuendo, the threat of violence, etc.) but Michael is so young that those parts kind of went over his head.  (Although, one of his favorite lines from the movie is "Kiss it, kiss it"....he doesn't understand that the penguins were telling the creature to kiss their butts!)  Also, at one point in the movie, I was becoming depressed because I thought that the movie was going to end on a negative note (the zoo scene for anyone who saw/sees it), but fortunately the movie's direction shifts and it ends on a victorious note.  The movie manages to get an important environmental message across without being "preachy".  I highly recommend this movie!

Later in the day, we did some Christmas baking...brownies and hand-shaped sugar cookies.  That's a whole other story though....

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/family_date.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/family_date.html Musings Sun, 10 Dec 2006 22:09:57 -0500 About Mom in the City
Founded in 2005, Mom in the City hosts various Moms-Night-Out and family activities throughout the year.  We also offer our members special offers, discounts and giveaways.  To join the fun, please email your name, zip code and referral source to elist@mominthecity.com. 

 

Founder
Mom in the City's founder, Kimberly, is a writer and event planner.  A graduate of Columbia College, Kimberly worked in various research and finance positions in corporate America for eight years (while planning events on the side as a hobby).  She left Time Inc. when she had her first son in 2004 and has been writing and planning events since then.  Kimberly is also the NYC editor and parenting guide for BabyZone (http://nyc.babyzone.com/index.asp). She lives in Manhattan with her wonderful husband and they are expecting their second son in February of 2007.

 

Please contact Kimberly at kcoleman@mominthecity.com or 646-808-6344 with any questions.

 

 

1 ]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/about_mom_in_the_city.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/about_mom_in_the_city.html About Sun, 10 Dec 2006 21:04:12 -0500 New TV Reality Series, "Mind Your Manners." In case you're interested...here are the details:

BACK TO WORK
Are you a Mom (or Mr. Mom!) who’s been out of the
workforce for a while but looking to get back in the
job world?  (Maybe you need extra income or perhaps
now that the kids are older, you really need to get
back in the game just to keep from going nuts!)  Well,
if you, (or someone you know,) are ready to hit the
job market, but feel your skills for scoring new
employment might be rusty, outdated, or perhaps you’re
even job hunting for the first time ever and need a
fresh set of tools and a boost in confidence… then a
new national television show on a major cable network
wants to show you how top-notch etiquette lessons can
help you go from years in the family room and make a
successful entrance into the board room (or any
business environment!)  If you (or someone you know)
can benefit from a thorough set of etiquette tools
that would help you make bold steps into the new job
market… please visit
http://casting.citylightstv.com/AgeWntwManners.htm
to fill out an on line application or email us at
etiquettecasting@yahoo.com

THESE KIDS ARE KILLING ME 
Are your kids a total terror?  Do they scream through
the house, throw food at the dinner table, raise hell
in the supermarket, and act up practically everywhere
with no end to the bad-behavior anywhere in sight?
Well, if you’ve got incorrigible kids and need help
teaching them a set of polite, wonderful, manners that
can shape them right up… a new national television
show on a major cable network wants to show you how
top-notch etiquette lessons can help you get your wild
kids under control.  If your family (or a family you
know) can benefit from a thorough set of etiquette
tools to help turn your bad-mannered kids into polite,
well-behaved, youngsters…
please visit
http://casting.citylightstv.com/AgeWntwManners.htm
to fill out an on line application or email us at
etiquettecasting@yahoo.com

EMBARRASSING SOCCER MOMS & DADS
You know those ‘in-your-face’ Mom’s and Dad’s at their
kid’s little league games or soccer matches who are
loud, obnoxious, and poorly-behaved as fans?  Or how
about those soccer Mom’s that dress for Saturday night
at a club when they show up Saturday afternoon for
their child’s game?  Very inappropriate! Well, a new
national television show on a major cable network
wants to show you how top-notch etiquette lessons can
help transform the ‘problem’ fans at kid’s sporting
events into wonderfully enthusiastic yet ‘appropriate’
fans.  If you, someone you know, (or even if you know
of a specific small-town sports league known for it’s
badly-behaved fans) where some expert lessons in how
to shine socially (for the good of the kids!) will be
of benefit to all, please visit
 http://casting.citylightstv.com/AgeWntwManners.htm
to fill out an on line application or email us at
etiquettecasting@yahoo.com

MOMS CHAPERONE DAUGHTERS TO PROM
Prom and Formal Dances are some of the biggest nights
of a teenager’s life, but a mother/daughter
relationship that may be a bit strained can make a
successful formal night hard to achieve.   Are you a
Mother whose daughter tells her things like...  "Mom,
you dress too sexy!  Mom, you act ridiculous!  Mom,
you're a total Geek!  Mom, stay out of my business!
Mom, you're always bugging me...  leave me alone!"
Well, if you are, we want to talk to you…  We’re a new
national television show on a major cable network and
we’re looking for overbearing/overprotective Moms,
sexy and energetic Mom's whose friends say are a bit
risqué at times, and Mom's who are out of step with
the times, all of whom may be at odds with making
their daughters prom night a success.  In this show,
experts will show you how top-notch etiquette lessons
can make the formal dance experience for Mother and
Daughter special no matter what difficult personal
circumstances exist.  please visit
http://casting.citylightstv.com/AgeWntwManners.htm
to fill out an on line application or email us at
etiquettecasting@yahoo.com

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/new_tv_reality_series_mind_you.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/12/new_tv_reality_series_mind_you.html Opportunities Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:39:54 -0500 Thankful This week as the nation celebrates Thanksgiving, I decided to share the three people on earth who inspire me to be the most grateful. 

1. My husband.  Sometimes it can be popular for moms to talk badly about their husbands and make a laundry list of all that they do wrong.  Fortunately for me, I can't join that chorus.  As I always say, "My husband is not perfect, but he's perfect for me!"  Don't get me wrong, he definitely has his little idiosyncrasies that drive me crazy at times, but overall I definitely feel like I got the better part in this marriage deal.  (No, I'm not one of those women with low self-esteem....I feel great about myself.  It also helps that my husband feels the same way in reverse - that he got the better part in this marriage deal.)  My husband is affectionate, supportive and my best friend. 

2. My son.  For the last couple of weeks, my son has been acting like a crazy child.  I'm not sure if it's just because he's two or because my stomach is getting bigger and he senses that he's not going to be the center of the universe anymore.  Irregardless, he has made me seriously reconsider my ability to parent two little boys at once.  I realize that it's too late to change my mind now, but I've had my moments!  Overall though, I feel really lucky to have my little boy.  He's smart, friendly, funny and so cute that I just want to eat him up. (Of course I'm biased in my description...what parent isn't?)  It really is like my heart expanded when I gave birth to this little one and even when he's behaving like a Tasmanian devil, there's no other child in the world I'd rather have. 

And

3.) My mom.  For most of my life (besides my senior year of high school), my mom and I have gotten along incredibly well.  I'm especially thankful for her now that I'm a mother myself.  After divorce, she raised five kids.  At times, I feel like I can barely raise 1 1/2 child with the help of a supportive spouse.  I don't know how she did it, but I'm grateful that she found/made a way.  Before my husband came along, my mom was my best friend and closest confidante.  (Now, she's my best woman friend.)  My mom just thinks that I am great.  She thinks that I can do whatever I set my mind to and that I will always find a way to make "lemonade out of lemons".  My husband calls me Pollyanna, but my mother was/is the original Pollyanna in my life.  My mom has not had an easy life, but her optimism, joie de livre (joy of life), and perseverance inspire me.  I want to be like her when I grow up! 

In any event, these are just a few of the people who help me to be thankful.  I hope that in the midst of all the Thanksgiving day planning and preparations that each mom can take a few moments to reflect on those who give them a reason to be grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving!

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/11/thankful.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/11/thankful.html Musings Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:34:51 -0500 “Moms of Reinvention” and “Standing Out in The Crowd” Last night I attended two great events.  I’ll write about one and give you the website where you can view the entire webcast of the second one.

The first event began at 6pm.  To my dismay, I didn’t even get on the subway until 6pm (arghhh!).  I really love being a mom, but one of the things about motherhood that challenges me the most is time…my schedule is not my own anymore.  I have to wait for my husband or babysitter to get to my house before I can leave for any other commitments.  (I don’t have to, but I would probably lose custody of my son if I left him at home by himself at the age of 2.)  By nature, I’m a “15 minutes early is on time” type of person, so this time crunch can drive me crazy at times.  Anyway, I knew the event wasn’t really going to begin until 6:30….the first ½ hour was for networking/refreshments, but I still wanted to be there by 6pm.  Anyway, I’ll move on.
 
I made it to the first event, the “Moms of Reinvention” session at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, at around 6:20pm.  I briefly spoke with the two founders of Role Mommy, (http://www.rolemommy.com), Beth and Yvette, before the program started.  I was also very happy to catch up with a fellow “Mom in the City” member who I hadn’t seen in a while.  The last time that I had seen her she was (very) pregnant and considering how she was going to balance everything post-baby.  In the interim, she had quit her fundraising job and enjoyed bonding with her (now 6 months old) baby girl.  She was currently in the process of figuring out her next step career-wise, so this panel was perfect for her. 

The panel portion of the program began around 6:30pm (I was right…stressed for nothing!).  After a brief intro from Yvette and Beth (who have a new book, Peeing In Peace: Tales & Tips for Type A Moms coming out in early 2007), Cindy Hsu and the rest of the panel took the stage.  The panel consisted of a group of women who had reinvented their careers to strike a balance in their lives.  You can read more about the panelists at http://rolemommyevents.blogspot.com.  One of the first questions that were asked of Jennie Baird from AOL Coaches was, “What are women looking for?”  The number one answer….TIME…time for selves, time to give back to their family and community, time to juggle all of their responsibilities.  Some insights regarding time were: set priorities; learn to say no; do things for the right reasons; set limits; etc.  One of the audience members, a former attorney, shared how she had started her own business (http://whereismybaby.com) in order to do business on her own terms.  An overriding sentiment was that the corporate world doesn’t always conform to our lives as moms so we need to either (a) attempt to change our corporate cultures and/or (b) branch off and create our own businesses.  Ultimately, it came down to choices (doesn’t it always?).  We need to think about our priorities and structure our lives, including our careers, accordingly. 

On the subject of choices…I chose to leave this event a little early in order to get to another event on time.  As such, I didn’t hear the very end of the discussion, but I’m sure that it was great.  Overall, I thought that the program was very helpful.  I didn’t necessarily learn anything new, but it’s always good to be around other women who are fighting to live their dreams…it creates a sisterhood.

Next, I met up with a friend and we went to an American Express OPEN forum, “Standing Out in The Crowd”.  This event was also great.  It focused on three topics: 1. Finding Your Brand; 2. Creating Customer Demand; and 3. Keeping Your Business Moving Forward.  I’m not going to write about this event though, because you can soon see the entire thing on webcast at http://www.openforumonline.com/event.html and form your own opinions.  Enjoy!]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/11/moms_of_reinvention_and_standing_out_in_the_crowd.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/11/moms_of_reinvention_and_standing_out_in_the_crowd.html Reviews Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:05:29 -0500 CASTING NOTICE - Moms Who Love Movies that we hope to shoot in January.  We are looking for two hip mothers who
love movies and would be willing to talk about them on television. 
This gig is not for those who are camera shy.  We would love to find two
best friends or two sisters who are moms, but we'll consider everyone,
of course.  You will be our movie critics with a mom's perspective.  You
will get to see movies for free before they hit theaters AND we will
pay you to do it!

You must meet the following requirements:
1) Be able to see three movies per week (on average) in New York City. 
There are multiple screenings so you pick the one that best suits your
schedule.
2) Be available to appear on the show once per week on a dedicated day
once the show gets picked up.

To be considered, please send an email to nbc.daytime.show@gmail.com. 
In it, please include a recent photo, tell us a little about yourself,
the last movie you saw and what you thought of it.  If you wish to be
considered with another person as a team (a friend, sibling, etc.),
please submit information for both people in the SAME email.

We can't reply to every submission personally, but we'll be in touch to
set up interviews in New York City soon.  Absolutely no phone calls,
please.

Thanks so much and good luck!

NBC Media Productions

]]> http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/11/casting_notice_moms_who_love_m.html http://mominthecity.com/blog/2006/11/casting_notice_moms_who_love_m.html Opportunities Tue, 14 Nov 2006 11:16:14 -0500