Tag Archives: independence

Enjoy Being an Individual

One of the great things that happens on a personal level when we embark on operating our own home business is that we move away from the pack–we start to live a more individualized life and stand out on our own. This can be scary, of course, and feel incredibly foreign if we are used to working a traditional job and being “ordinary.” But, I do think we can celebrate this unique path and learn how to enjoy being an individual doing things our way! There are going to be those who think your independence and home business endeavors are … Continue reading →

Is Underwear Really a Big Deal?

I was chatting with a new-ish mom recently—a first-time parent with a preschooler who has decided that underwear is out. He is not the slightest big interested in wearing them even though it has only been a year or so since he graduated to “big boy pants” in the first place. She was a bit frazzled and convinced that some sort of irreparable damage would be done, or she would lose all control as a parental authority if she gave in and “let him get away” with not wearing underwear. I couldn’t help but think that is this is just … Continue reading →

A Great Thing About a Home Business–There Are Days When I Can Put Off Taking a Shower

Now, I don’t want to imply that I am a grungy, sloppy, troll working away in my home business–but one of the big differences between a traditional job and running a home-based business is that one doesn’t always have to get up, shower, dress, put on make-up and do hair, etc .before getting to work. There are days when I can get right to my work and then take a break a couple hours in to shower and get dressed. Having that sort of flexibility makes me feel like I am more in control of my time and I can … Continue reading →

What I Love About My Home-Business—I Don’t Have to Do Co-workers’ Dirty Dishes!

When I was writing yesterday about what a pleasure it is to not have to deal with crabby and moody coworkers when I am working at home, I couldn’t help but start thinking about other coworker “stuff” that I do not miss from the more traditional job—mainly having to deal with other people’s dirty dishes in the lunch or break room! That was one of those things I never really understood about human behavior when I was working the full time jobs—those individuals who left their dirty dishes and coffee cups in the sink. Some people did it under the … Continue reading →

What I Love About a Home Business—Not Having to Deal with Crabby, Moody Co-workers

One of the realities of working in a traditional job with an office full of co-workers, is that one often has to put up with moodiness, crabbiness and other behaviors from our co-workers. Sure, it can be character-building and help us develop tolerance and appreciation for the differences in other people, but when one is working from her own home-based business—this is not as big of a factor. Okay, so we still have to deal with moody customers or clients and we might even also be coping with our crabby children during the work day—but all in all, we are … Continue reading →

Independence Can Be Addictive

I was talking with a friend recently and she asked me if I saw myself as being able to ever “partner” or share my life with someone again after flying solo all these years. While I started to feel a little put out or offended for a minute, I then realized that it was a decent question and something worth thinking about. I would like to think that I am not unlovable or someone who is destined to spend my life alone—but on the other hand, I HAVE grown incredibly used to independence and flying solo on all major and … Continue reading →

“What do YOU Think About That?”

I am not someone who is normally at a loss for an opinion, and I confess that my children have heard plenty about what I think should happen, or my opinion about this or that, or even what my value system is. I think they have been pretty well indoctrinated with the “theories of mom.” I have had to learn as they have gotten older, however, to let up a little on my opinion and theories and invite them to share some of their own. Okay, so I probably have permanent scarring all over my tongue from where I have … Continue reading →

Encouraging Resourcefulness in Our Kids

Resourcefulness is more than just a basic life skill. I think that learning and developing resourcefulness can be one of the most important things our children achieve. I know it doesn’t sound glamorous–but resourcefulness equals creativity, flexibility and resiliency and, as most of us have learned from the realities of life–these qualities can mean both survival and happiness. So, what can we parents do to encourage our children to develop resourcefulness? I think that children learn resourcefulness through plenty of trial and error–they need to be able to figure out how to do things on their own; how to solve … Continue reading →

Ongoing Lessons in Letting Go

I have a few friends who are far more experienced parents than I am—they have already launched their children and I have a couple close friends who are fairly new grandparents. One of the things I have learned from these people as I have watched their children grow up and their parenting roles change is that we parents get multiple, ongoing lessons in letting go… Like bonding and attachment, there is NOT just one opportunity to get letting go right in the world of family life. As a matter of fact, it tends to be ongoing, perpetual and with a … Continue reading →

“Look at Me!”

I was working from a café table in an airy coffee shop outside our local library and there was an incredibly active 3 year-old and her mother at a nearby table. The child reminded me a great deal of our newest family member, a rambunctious kitten named Toby as both were up, down, and all over the place—all the while wanting to make sure that they were being watched. The patient young mother answered reassuringly each time, “I see you” and “What a brave girl you are!” Perfect. Most of us know that our children tend to vacillate between stages … Continue reading →