Celebrating Motherhood! From The Coloring Room To The Board Room

You’ve spent the last few years changing diapers, washing little hands, and running yourself ragged being a stay-at-home mom. But soon all that will be changing. Your little tyke is going off to school for the first time, or maybe you finally have that empty nest. You are now ready and willing to get back into the market, and you, of all people, deserve a great job.

Most mothers reentering the workforce believe that finding a job after being away for so long is extremely difficult, but that’s simply not true any more. More and more employers are recognizing that returning mothers have highly developed and exceptional skills relating to their ability to organize and multitask—and that in these areas returning mothers actually exceed the skill levels of other applicants! So the key here is to learn the art of effectively showing employers how suitable you are by, firstly, doing some research into their requirements and, secondly, packaging yourself in an effective and confident manner that provides the employer with specific solutions to his unique needs.

A Flexible Approach: As far as flexible schedules are concerned, never has the job environment been more conducive to families. Companies are beginning to understand more and more the needs of the family unit. Flexibility on your part is also needed regarding what type of job you are looking for. You can either zoom in straight for a permanent full-time job or decide to increase your options by considering short-term work. It all depends on your personal obligations and the trends within your industry. Whatever you decide, we highly recommended that you do not put all your eggs in one basket by focusing on just one option. Getting your foot in the door of the job market often requires staggering your re-entry by first taking on a short-term or part-time role that will enable you to make a smoother transition to a more permanent job at a later stage.

Discrimination or Lack of Preparation: The bottom line is that being a mother is not an excuse for not getting your ideal job (so long as your job goal is realistic). In the job market there is always a mixture of mothers who are achieving their job goals and mothers who are not achieving their job goals. It is how well you prepare yourself that makes all the difference. So the question is: how ready are you to skillfully approach the job market in order to achieve your job goal? The women who seem to get jobs effortlessly are those who have mastered the skills required to give them a competitive edge over their fellow job seeking mothers.

Be Prepared for Success: Over all, everything you do must be geared towards meeting your industry’s requirements as well as the job market’s requirements as a whole. It is therefore paramount that you do your research and get yourself up to speed with current trends, terminologies and advancements within your industry. To do this you will need to be competent at required job market activities, so start off by evaluating how good you are at carrying out these activities to the required standard. Begin by taking the time now to take this FREE Job Market Performance Assessment.

Looking For The Right Maternity Clothes

When you are pregnant, the whole notion of “does this outfit make me look fat” takes on a whole new meaning. Not only do we not want to look fat, we want to look beautifully pregnant without looking like we put on extra weight. We want curves to show in the right places, but we don’t want our bottom to look as big as our belly! More than ever, this is a time in a woman’s life where smart shopping is key to building a stylish, functional and flattering maternity wardrobe.

The average weight gain for a pregnant woman is between 25-35 pounds. This weight gain starts to occur in the middle of your first trimester, unless you have severe morning sickness, and continues to the day you have your baby. Not only are you putting on more weight overall, your weight gain might shift to new places on your body such as your arms, thighs and even feet! Nearly every pregnant woman finds their bust size increase by a cup during pregnancy and oftentimes more during nursing. Women who never gained weight in their bottom or hips suddenly find they have more to address than just an expanding belly. On the bright side, being pregnant can have some huge shopping perks, because now is the time you have the license to buy yourself a new wardrobe so why not have some fun with it!

If you want to find some great fashion that is comfortable and doesn't break the bank, shop first for some good basic mix and match pieces. Here are a few tips to keep in mind in building your wardrobe:

- The sooner you start your maternity wardrobe, the more mileage you will get out of it and the more comfortable you will be in your clothes. Once you stop trying to squeeze into your seemingly shrinking regular clothes with increasingly tight waistbands, you will no longer feel bloated and overweight. Others will also recognize you are pregnant and stop worrying about your weight as well! Also, you are less likely to feel morning sickness from comfortably fitting maternity clothes.

- Remember that maternity sizes should be roughly equivalent to your normal, pre-pregnancy size. However make allowance for your weight gain. If you find that you are gaining at a quicker rate than average, you might find going up a size is more comfortable. Oftentimes overseas brands such as Ripe Maternity and Noppies Maternity will run slightly smaller than many American brands such as Japanese Weekend and Maternal America. If you are shopping online it is a good idea to check out the size chart and description to see if there is any note of the item running large or small. You can also call or email customer support on brand fitting information.

- When in doubt, always go up a size. Now is not the time for sizing vanity. You are pregnant and expected to gain weight and you will be much more comfortable in a size that fits you with room to grow. If you buy an item that barely fits you today with little room to grow, you will find yourself staring at it in your closet for the remainder of your pregnancy. Remember you will get bigger until the day you have your baby, you will not be going on a diet while you are pregnant! Look for comfortable elastic waistbands that have the same color waistband as the rest of the pant.

- Never buy a tight maternity or nursing bra or undergarments. Not only will a maternity or nursing bra be uncomfortable, if it is too tight it can also lead to clogged milk ducts and mastitis when you are nursing. Also, your breasts need to have room to grow even after delivery of your baby. Some women go up another cup size after their milk comes in.

- Invest in a good maternity jean. There are stylish and comfortable maternity jeans at every price point. If you do want to splurge a bit on one item, do it on a well fitting maternity jean, particularly if you are jeans person. Aside from sleepwear, this is one fashion item you will get the most mileage from, so it is worth it to spend a few extra dollars to find a pair that will last and stretch you through your pregnancy. Many maternity jeans, such as the Noppies 4 Pocket Jean, looks like a regular jean as it does not have an elastic maternity band and fits below the belly with an internal waist adjuster. This type of jean can also be worn as a transition jean after the baby.

- In cold weather dress in layers. Buy lighter weight clothing than you would usually wear as you will find your overall body temperature higher when you are pregnant. Even in the winter months, and particularly in places like an office space, an overdressed pregnant woman can easily overheat. By dressing in lighter layers you can shed or add clothing as needed.

- Don’t wear restrictive clothing, if you we must wear pantyhose, buy maternity pantyhose, such as Noppies Maternity Tights. Maternity pantyhose will allow belly support and allow for better circulation. Maternity leggings are a good non-restrictive and trendy option over pantyhose. Japanese Weekend, Maternal America and 1 in the Oven all make a high quality legging in a variety of styles and colors to choose from. Leggings look great under a maternity tunic, dress or skirt!

- When shopping, look for similar color families than can be easily mixed and matched and are layer friendly. Tanks and camis make an excellent first layer as they are comfortable and add a light layer of warmth. Also, camis and tanks can be worn alone in the warmer weather and many are made with support bras. There are also many transitional camis and tanks out there, such as Glamourmom’s maternity/nursing tank, that can be worn for maternity as well as for nursing after the baby is born.

- Look for transitional maternity tops and maternity dresses that can double as nursing tops and dresses which can be worn after the baby. There is now a wide variety of fashions available for transition wear. Japanese Weekend has an excellent selection of transition wear nursing tops including a very versatile office-friendly Cross Over Top Maternity/Nursing top. Majamas has a whole line of transition wear clothing including their super soft yoga pants that can be worn throughout pregnancy and beyond. The Maternal America Nursing Dress is a beautiful new dress by Maternal America which can be worn throughout your pregnancy and does not look like a nursing dress.

- Buy an all purpose black pant that is comfortable to wear. Black goes with everything and is slimming as well so don’t forget to stock this basic. Also, make sure you have some comfortable loungewear pants for the house. 1 in the Oven’s Super Soft Ruched Fold Over Pant and Corduroy Lounge Pants are stylish enough to wear outside the house. They are very comfortable that you want to live in them.

- Make sure you spice up your wardrobe with a few fun patterns and flirty dresses. Remember, you will be living in this clothing for at least 6 months. If you plan to get pregnant again in the future, you may be looking at the many of these same maternity clothes in your closet. Make sure you have some fun and mix in some fashion pieces that you will enjoy wearing. Solids are important for your wardrobe, but they can get boring pretty fast if that’s the only thing you are wearing everyday!

Shopping is supposed to be fun, not a chore. So, have some fun with the wide selection of maternity fashions out there. You have a whole new and evolving shape to dress, so try some new looks, show some cleavage, and have fun shopping!

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Changes In Body And Mind Of Pregnant Women: A Test Of Pregnancy And Motherhood

The natural changes in body and mind of pregnant women are to be expected. A woman conceiving a child experiences hormonal imbalance which may manifest both physically and mentally. This is considered normal and understanding its underlying principle is salient specifically women experiencing these peculiar circumstances for the first time.

To shed light and generate better understanding, a careful look on some of the major influences entailing these changes are vital. When a pregnant woman experiences physical changes; these are considered given factors. Consequently, expectant mothers anticipating motherhood should be aware of the inevitable changes that they have to bear while carrying the child in their womb. Among the physical changes common among pregnant women involves the emergence of acne and stretch marks.

Acne is regarded as a normal body reaction acquired from various chemical substances. Acne surfaces the moment a woman gets pregnant. The body releases dirt and it manifest through skin conditions like acne. A woman’s menstrual period acts as a body’s way of discharging dirt thereby becoming patent in the form of acne. When you experience the unbearable sight of acne on various parts of your body, you can put a stop to this condition and go for the safest solution of washing ones face with mild soap. Mild soaps help eliminate the build-up of oil-secreting glands.

On the other hand, stretch marks are also another manifestation of being pregnant. Once specific body parts stretched due to significant pounds added to your weight, the sight of stretch marks emerges. These marks are found on hidden areas of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, arms and hips. How to lessen these marks? There are assortments of creams available in the market; this can be applied on stretched areas although, application should first be consulted to your gynecologist for a safer pregnancy.

On the mind and emotional front, it is never a doubt that pregnant women go through stages where exhaustion, depression and anxiety occurs. To put simply, she is emotionally stressed and ways of averting this condition might require some complexity. This is considered a common condition as an expectant mother endures hormonal imbalance added to factors including apprehensions concerning her past approaching delivery. There are also cases of sudden irritability which can go beyond normal; women at this stage can be furious over something with no reason at all, the feeling of uneasiness, fretfulness and other negative moods.

Once you experienced all these, it would be a good option to reach out for the comforts of support groups such as family and friends. Keeping an intact and good relationship with your spouse is also another significant factor to consider. Husbands should likewise share both joyous and sacrificial moments in letting their wives feel that they are not alone in carrying their child. Husbands need to understand that this is a blissful yet, critical stage. Therefore, being with the mother of their child is one of the most graceful gestures your better half can ever offer.
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Go With The Flow - How To Survive The First Year Of Motherhood

The First Year of Motherhood is a happy and joyous time filled with exciting events you will always remember. It can also however, be a stressful time filled with life altering events. Having a new baby inevitably changes your life. If you don't learn to go with the flow you may very well start to question your sanity!

A person who is very organized and schedule oriented will often become overwhelmed by the life changes that take place after the birth of their new baby. Gone are the days of perfect routines and smoothly running schedules. The first year of motherhood is instead replaced by random feedings and diaper. This is when you suddenly have to stop, breathe and learn to go with the flow. It is the time to realize that things will get done when they get done. If your baby is a fussy sleeper through the night, and your starting to greatly resemble the walking dead, stop, slow down and take a nap when your baby takes a nap-even if its 2:00 in the afternoon.

Children will always require care, but during your first year of motherhood you will devote almost all of your time to constantly caring for them. If you don't learn to roll with the punches, you will surely loose your mind! Do not let yourself fret over that stack of dishes in the sink because your baby is fussy and wants to be held. Those dishes aren't going anywhere and will be there when you get to them. The easiest way to go with the flow is to learn to maximize your time. Just do a little bit here and there whenever you have the chance. Do not overwhelm yourself with trying to get everything done at once. Break your chores into small tasks. This will give you a sense of accomplishment each time you complete a chore. You may not get all of the laundry done in one day, but if you get just one load washed and dried, well then, you've accomplished something! If you can learn to get just a little bit at a time done, while the baby is napping or playing, you will be able to get more accomplished with a great deal less stress.

Learning how to go with the flow with your daily schedule can take some adjusting but it can be done! Don’t set a concrete schedule. Instead, make your plans tentative. Obviously there are some things, such as doctor's appointments, that must be kept on time. However, many of the other tasks you perform can easily be switched around. Once you start to realize that life does not have to run on a die-hard schedule, you will more easily be able to enjoy your time with your baby and save yourself a great deal of stress.

The most important thing for new moms to remember is that the first year of motherhood will only happen once. The experiences that you have in the first year of motherhood will be memories that you will cherish forever. Learn to go with the flow so you can remember your first year of motherhood with happy memories and not as stress overload!

A Few Motherhood Myths Exploded

Impending motherhood can throw up many apparent problems, and these add to the already present concerns of mothers to be. Too often these problems are ones that can be overcome with ease – either by talking to experts or reading widely available literature – and many of them are fears that turn out to be entirely unfounded.

Rest assured the concerns that you may have as a new mother are those that have been experienced by many others – let’s have a look and sort out the myths from the truth.

How do I hold a baby?

A common concern for many new mothers is that they will not be able to correctly hold a baby – this is not true, and you will soon find it the most natural thing in the world.

Evolution has led to a natural method of holding and protecting a small child, and this is reflected in the way that the new mother very quickly gets the hang of picking up – safely and securely – a baby. This all has its roots in security and safety, and the reaction of holding a baby close and carefully is the natural reaction of any new mother – it is also what the baby needs and wants; don’t worry about how to hold a baby – it will come naturally.

Will I bond with baby?

Indeed you will and very quickly too. The process of bonding is one that is naturally begun the moment of birth, and the tradition of giving the mother the newborn baby to hold is more than simply a gesture. The significance is enhanced as, over the next few days, mother and baby draw closer together, forming the natural and lifelong bond that is present in every mother-child relationship. We are, after all, mammals and as such share our protective behaviour with others in that class; all animals have a duty to protect and teach their young until they are ready to leave the nest, and this is the same with mothers and babies in humans.

The first few days and weeks will lead to bonding – there is nothing particular you need to do that will not come naturally.

How will I understand what baby wants?

You just will! Babies communicate by crying as they have yet to be empowered with speech, and communication in this way is often misconstrued as being a sign of distress. Alternatively it can be a cry for food, for comfort or simply for attention, and believe me you will soon work out the slight differences in each instance.

You will fall into a routine with regard to when baby wants feeding or changing, or when it is simply looking for reassurance and comfort – all of these are signalled by the baby’s natural calling signal.

How will I know baby gets enough sleep?

Different children sleep for different lengths of time and in different patterns – just as we humans do. It may be that you sleep for eight solid hours while your partner sleeps in short stints – the same differences are apparent in babies, all of which can exhibit completely different sleep patterns.

The growth and development rate of a baby at this stage of life is quite meteoric and thus requires a great deal of energy. Expending such energy very quickly leads to tiredness hence babies will sleep little and often rather than sparsely and lengthily.

Introducing a routine into baby’s sleep patterns early in life can be a good idea, and gives the mother the knowledge that she will be able to get some sleep too.

Having a baby need not be a worry as it is the greatest change in any woman’s life; the concerns that attend to each mother are not unusual, just as worrying about a new job or moving to a new house is a concern – it is the unknown that is the worry. There is so much information available for new mothers – there are websites and books that abound and offer excellent information – and there are always people to talk to. Take note of all advice and you will find the experience much easier to handle.

Motherhood – Some Fears Explained

Becoming a mother for the first time is a daunting experience for any woman, but there is copious help available for mothers to be to turn to. Whether you are looking to talk to someone about this impending life changing happening or to find out information on the internet, the amount of help that can be found is extensive and generally very useful indeed.

Let’s look at a few of the common fears mothers to be harbour, and what the truth is.

1: Will the baby like me?

The simple answer is yes, it will, and the reasons are easy to explain. Motherhood is a natural step in a woman, and has evolved through the ages as we have. The bond between mother and baby is formed in the first days of the youngster’s life, and this is the most important time of the process. This is entirely natural – there is nothing the mother needs to do other than what will seem right and logical, and very soon the baby will treat the mother as his closest confidante. This is a worry that can be dispelled very quickly, as the bond will be felt and formed very quickly indeed.

2: How do I hold a baby?

This is a very common worry and one that comes with the fear of not giving security to a newborn. Again, the knack to holding a baby will come naturally after the first few times, and it will feel entirely comfortable and normal before you even think about it. Babies need to be comforted and enclosed in order to feel protected, and the natural way in which we swaddle a newborn in blankets and hold them close to us is an extension of the comfort of the womb. Keeping a baby securely surrounded and firmly held is just a natural response that will come naturally.

3: How will I know when baby wants feeding?

Babies have not acquired the power of speech yet they can communicate. It will become obvious to you when a baby needs feeding, and not just from its timely cries but as it will be at regular intervals. Babies don’t just cry when they are distressed, but as a way of ‘talking’ to the mother – it is the sound they are equipped with and is used a great deal in the early stages of development.

4: Will my baby sleep well?

This is a question that can not be answered as each and every baby is different. Some will sleep for long periods during the night and day, and others for only short stints. It is advisable to try and ‘teach’ the baby to sleep at set times, thus getting both child and the rest of the family into a set routine that will enable everyone to sleep for decent periods of time – especially mother! It is not necessarily a sign of a problem if baby does not sleep regularly as it may be that your baby is simply one who does not sleep regularly.

5: Will I have everything I need?

This is a worry that many mothers to be have and one that is also inspired by not being able to care for the baby to the best of their intentions. There are many websites and ebooks that will guide you towards making sure you have everything you need to make both your and baby’s lives as comfortable and suitable as possible. A good tip is to read all the information that you can and make a lost of what you will need, and then tick off each one as you purchase it.

Having a baby is a daunting prospect yet it also promises to be the most exciting and life changing time in a young woman’s life, let alone the rest of the family. Follow the advice you are given and consult books and experts and being a mother need not be a concern, just a thing of joy.
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Are You In Pregnancy? Did You Visit A Motherhood Maternity Speciality Shop

Maternity dressing has come a long way since the regimen of our mothers' days: large size sweater, husband's dress shirt, mumu-style dress, repeat. Now, it's hip to embrace even accentuate your grown body, and there are plenitude of retailers in the Seattle area which are pleased to help you make just that. Motherhood Maternity Retail store is the primarily retail chain that comes to my head when thinking for going to shop maternity dress. Im guessing that the name makes it stick out in my retention.

This maternity mall is found in the majority of retail stores and outlet stores across the U.s.a. and it is one of the most incredible around. This maternity mall is found in most malls and outlet stores across the United states and its one of the most incredible in the area. They have casual, career, active clothing, and extra size maternity wear. They moreover carry maternity nursing bras & panties, nursing clothes and accessories.

The nice quality of the clothing is significant. Some of the garments make me desire I were having other baby.

The best maternity retail store I saw is on the worldwideweb with site http://onlinematernitymall.com. This website offers on the internet shopping that is so welcome to a woman who is expecting. Nothing is a lot more catchy than going to shop from home when you are in pregnancy. You can similarly detect many other type of stores on the worldwideweb browsing at http://wikipedia.com and there you have many choices to bring on the ultimate one.

If you are in pregnancy you probably are very worried of what you should buy your child, you dont know what sex will be your child, but fortunately you can find in those maternity stores unisex clothes that will help you take a decision of what to buy.
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Maternity Clothing - What Every Woman Needs To Know About Maternity Clothes

Let's face it: maternity clothing is ugly and expensive. Since most women don't need to wear maternity clothes until the second trimester, at most you'll only be getting six months of use out of those ugly $200 overalls to cover your ever expanding stomach. I couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe when I already felt so ugly, so I resorted to making my own for as long as possible. For example, I really didn't want to buy old lady underwear that would cover me from my belly button to the tops of my thighs. They were hot and uncomfortable anyway, but there aren't many sexy maternity panties around.

Instead of going commando, I decided to wear my husband's briefs. Surprisingly, they were comfortable and even looked kind of cute on me. Recently, I was watching Oprah and saw that I wasn't the only woman who's done that during the latter months of a pregnancy. Still, even with the underwear problems solved I was in desperate need of maternity clothes. You can only wear your old college sweatshirts and pants for so long before you break down and buy a real pair of maternity pants.

Out of all of the maternity clothes that I bought during my pregnancy, the jeans were by far the most expensive. We all know how hard it can be to find a decent pair of jeans as it is, try finding a pair of jeans when you're pregnant! First of all, the options are way more limited. Most stores don't even carry maternity clothes, and I absolutely refused to buy jeans at Wal Mart. Low prices come at a high cost, let me tell you. I eventually found a pair, but they cost more than I'm willing to admit. I will say, however, that I had to hide the receipt from my husband.

What Julia Roberts Has To Say About Motherhood

Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus. At 37, America’s Pretty Woman couldn’t be happier in her new role of motherhood.

The twins were delivered at a hospital in Southern California. Since the twin’s birth Julia has done voice-over work for the remake of E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web”. She is also set to work on a film for children called “Ant Bully”.

Roberts has often told reporters that she’d like nine children. She claimed that pregnancy was a breeze and she certainly hasn’t lost her trademark smile. Julia seems to enjoy all of life’s experiences. Motherhood simply brought highlights.

Roberts says she only has one complaint: huge breasts. Julia told a reporter for the ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’: “It’s no laughing matter. This is the only dress brave enough to hold in my breast line.” However, Julia has kept a striking figure, which she gives the credit to Pilates.

What is motherhood? Is it rocking your baby to sleep at night? Is it helping them tie their shoes? Is it introducing them to a new world? What happens when we go from womanhood to motherhood? Mothers are often encouraged to make time for themselves. However, mothers are among the few who know what happens when you make time for others. It is certainly a role that Julia Roberts plans on holding 365 days a year.

The Wonders Of Motherhood

There are many wonders on earth such as the pyramids of Giza, the ancient Mayan ruins and the Great Wall of China. What talent and brains it must have taken to build them and to accomplish such marvels. People have always admired individuals who have accomplished great things like the oscar winner, olympic athlete, best selling author or business tycoon. These individuals are always seen as the epitome of greatness and we wonder how they were able to accomplish such a spectacular feat.

We are flooded with images daily sending us messages of what we should try to become. Striving for fulfillment thru unattainable standards is the trap many women fall into. In the minds of many women, their bodies will never be perfect enough, there isn’t enough time in the day for their husbands, and chasing the perfect career can make us feel like a mouse in the race for the cheese. When we can’t get these areas perfect or at least close to it, it can leave a sense of guilt. Another area of guilt can come from our levels of spirituality. Well known motivational speakers, authors and spiritual leaders make it sound so easy to perfectly balance our spiritual walk and hectic lives. Maybe we aren’t spiritual enough, should have prayed a little longer, meditated a little harder and volunteered a little more is what we sometimes end up feeling.

Now that I am a mom, I sit in awe of my daughter. What a wonder to see this baby develop into a little person, developing into her big personality and how her little mind absorbs everything around her. She has the feet, complexion, and hair of her mother, the sense of humor of her father and the face of her grandmother. How can anyone doubt there is a God or at least a higher being as one may call it, when they see such a marvelous creation? Nothing that is man made compares to this remarkable God made child. Sure man has tried to recreate this miracle with science and test tubes but the ingredients inside of those tubes is not man made.

As mothers our look on life changes, our eyes are opened and things that were once so important don’t seem so now. Our focus is now off of ourselves and on making our children’s little worlds a better place. You get an unexplainable since of fulfillment that nothing else in life has ever given you and a love that is indescribable. As moms we find a strength within ourselves that we never knew was there. There are times when we as moms just want to break down but can’t cave in and quit because our children’s lives depend on us. So what moms your stomachs aren’t as flat and maybe you didn’t climb the career ladder fast enough. Both your inner and outer beauty and strength is the true wonder in this world.

In this stage in my life as a mom, I try not to focus so much on the mistakes of my past or present. I pray that my daughter will be thankful for the good decisions I made and forgive me for the not so good ones. I want her to know that I did not make a single decision without first considering her. I look into her eyes and see that I have finally accomplished greatness.
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