Communication is the foundation for a healthy marriage. Both people in a marriage need to be seen and heard. Marriage is a place that your needs and wants should be met without stomping out the needs and wants of your spouse. If assertive behavior makes you feel uncomfortable, you might be thinking of aggressive behavior, someone pushing their agenda without concern for anyone else. But assertiveness is actually the middle ground between agressive behavior and passive-agressive … [Read more...]

Resiliency is built over time in the face of adversity. Nothing can prepare you for the challenges that life brings until you are in the midst. But you can be inspired by the stories of those people who have stared adversity in the eyes and walked away stronger than before. The beauty of resiliency is that it is a quality that ordinary people gain by facing extraordinary challenges. Challenges impact all of us no matter our station in life. Let these quotes encourage you to face the … [Read more...]

A woman who takes a 2-3 year career break will sacrifice 30% of her potential lifetime earnings.  Because most women who take a break have a goal to return to work at some point in the future, I strongly encourage women to find some opportunity to engage professionally during that pause even if in a very limited capacity.  Keeping your skills sharp and staying relevant in your industry allows you to be prepared for the unexpected. This is just the story of one woman. Jane (not her real name) … [Read more...]

We all know that it’s important to invest in our relationships. The companies we work for spend time on team building activities because it allows people to work better together. Team building in marriage can have similar benefits, you can learn more about your partner’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests. If you’ve been married for a few years, then you have both experienced changes in your life whether it’s having kids, moving to a new place, changing jobs, or just growing as a … [Read more...]

Have you ever had an idea that you needed to present to your spouse to get him on board? Maybe it’s a large expense, a family vacation, a home renovation, or a new job opportunity. You know you want his support and you want him to be just as excited about this idea as you are… But it’s not as simple as throwing it out on the table. Presenting this idea to your spouse will take a little finesse to win him over. Use these 7 tips to present your idea and win over your spouse! 7 Tips to … [Read more...]

Mom life can be stressful whether you are a full time working mom or a stay at home mom. We all face the same stressors at home. These moms of Instagram give us a real view of life as a mom and the moments that keep moms stressed. #1 When your kids call you downstairs to get them water and their dad is sitting RIGHT THERE!  Mom to the rescue! Why is it that the kids automatically ask mom for whatever they need? Sometimes Mom needs a break and hey, dad is right … [Read more...]

Our homes are often described as a safe haven; where we go to relax and be ourselves. However, when we get really comfortable with our surroundings, conflict can emerge. It’s nothing new that conflict is a part of marriage. Two people with flaws living together will encounter conflict over time, but there is a healthy way to manage your own actions in the midst of  conflict at home. #1 Listen The art of listening is a very important tool when resolving and managing conflict at home. … [Read more...]

In my advisory role with the MomSource Network, I've had the privilege of talking to thousands of candidates about their reasons for seeking flexible employment.  Our candidates tend to be in varying seasons of life whether taking care of younger children, caring for elderly parents, going through a divorce or seeking to make a complete career change to achieve happiness.  I also found myself in a challenging season of life which led to my pursuit for more flexible employment and advocacy for … [Read more...]

When you think of raising kids, there is this overwhelming instinct to protect them whether it’s from running into the road or having their feelings hurt by another kid. We want to protect our kids, but are our actions really helping our kids? No one wants to be told what to do, but rather wants the opportunity to explore and figure things out for themselves. NOTE: There are obvious situations that are dangerous for kids and we are not suggesting they experiment in dangerous situations … [Read more...]

Coaching your child to adulthood is a long term game. You are training your child to think like a problem solver as they grow so that when the time comes to deal with situations on their own they will have a strategy to lean on even when you aren’t there. Coaching sounds like a great idea! Who doesn’t want their kid to think for themselves, especially since research shows that middle school and high school students are increasingly influenced by their peers. But how do you coach … [Read more...]