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WELCOME TO HOMEBODIES
March 13, 2007
Volume 8, Issue 11
Weekly encouragement and empowerment e-zine
for stay-at-home parents and working parents
considering the at-home lifestyle
Your Hostess - Cheryl Gochnauer, author of
"Stay-at-Home Handbook", "So You Want to Be a
Stay-at-Home Mom", "Mom to Mom" and founder of
http://www.homebodies.org
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THIS WEEK'S ARTICLES:
"MOPS: Support for Mothers of Preschoolers" by Homebodies founder Cheryl
Gochnauer
"Is Working From Home Right For You?" by Homebodies columnist Cyndi Webb,
founder of Moms Network (http://www.momsnetwork.com)
"Stocking Perpetual Pantries for Breakfast and Lunch" by Homebodies
columnist Leanne Ely, founder of Saving Dinner (http://www.savingdinner.com)
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MOPS: SUPPORT FOR
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS
Homebodies
By Cheryl Gochnauer
homebodies@comcast.net
Copyright 2007
Got preschoolers? We know you’d give your life for the little rugrats, but
admit it: sometimes they drive you nuts. If you’re ready for a timeout for
both you and your little ones, check out the closest Mothers of Preschoolers
meeting.
Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, is an international parenting support
organization numbering 3900 groups across the US and in 23 countries around
the world. According to The MOPS Story at www.mops.org, it all started in
1973 with 8 women in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. “For two hours, while their
children received care,” the story goes, “these mothers talked, laughed,
ate, passed a basket for childcare expenses, had a craft demonstration, and
ended with a short devotional. In this humble beginning, the seeds of the
MOPS concept and format were planted.”
Word spread, and more women began showing up for these bi-weekly breaks from
kids and parenting stresses. As members moved around the country, they
carried the MOPS design with them and new groups formed.
Carla Phelps discovered MOPS in the early 1990’s when her husband was
transferred from Kansas City, Missouri to Wyoming for a year. “I had
nobody,” Phelps remembers. “But MOPS is an easy place to find friends,
especially when you’re 900 miles from home. It made a difference in my
life.”
When Phelps returned to Kansas City, there was only one MOPS group and it
was across town – too far for her to easily visit. With the support of her
pastor, she started her own group. “We had our first meeting in May 1996
with 12 women. Now there are more than 50 groups in the Kansas City area.”
One of the groups Phelps helped launch meets at New Summit Presbyterian
Church in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Coordinator Angela Jones explains MOPS
isn’t just for parents of 4 and 5-year-olds. “When we define ‘preschooler’,
we mean from pregnancy to kindergarten,” Jones says. “That first year, you
often need MOPS more than the mothers of older kids do.”
MOPS serves urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms,
teen, single and married moms; moms with different lifestyles who all share
a similar desire to be the very best parents they can be. The goal is to
nurture women in this season of life. “When her needs are met, she is more
capable of helping the people she’s responsible for,” Jones says.
Phelps agrees. “You spend the whole year with the same group of women. We
help each other through the births of new babies, illnesses, job
relocations, anything that comes up.”
So where are the kids while the girlfriends are hanging out? At Moppets, the
onsite childcare program. “The kids have their own crafts and story time;
it’s not just free play,” says Jones. “They get to have their brains and
hearts nurtured, too. It’s a safe place for children, so moms can relax.”
MOPS is a faith-based organization, but welcomes any mom with a preschooler.
“It’s not a bible study, it’s not a church service; it’s simply a time for
moms to connect,” Jones says. “You can feel so isolated and alone, and this
is a chance to be with other women who know what you’re going through.”
To locate a Mothers of Preschoolers group in your area, visit www.mops.org.
*****
Comments? Write Cheryl at homebodies@comcast.net.
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IS WORKING FROM HOME
REALLY FOR YOU?
Moms Network
By Cyndi Webb
Cyndi@momzone.com
Copyright 2007
Having a business that you run out of your home can be very rewarding if
gone about the right way. Unfortunately many will give up before beginning
to reap the benefits due to many reasons. A large number of the businesses
that fail can be traced back to Step One - the decision of what type of
business you will run out of the home.
Working from home can be a dream for some and a nightmare for others. Not
everyone is cut out to run a business and be their own boss. Some don't have
the discipline or tenacity to follow through. It is key to recognize this in
yourself right from the start. You will save yourself a lot of frustration
and heartache if you first put serious thought into whether a home based
business is for you.
You will read over and over again that "Anyone can have a work at home
business or career". I disagree with this statement, and suggest that anyone
who is thinking about working at home initially take inventory of themselves
to see if they would be the type of person that should pursue their own
business. Are you a self starter? Can you work well without supervision? Do
you have perseverance and patience? Are you willing to learn?
Let's say that you have decided that working at home is perfect for you.
First and foremost when looking into working from home, find something that
you love to do. Draw from your talents, interests and hobbies. If you have a
hard time being objective about yourself, ask your friends and family where
they see your strengths.
The most successful businesses with the most longevity are ones that a
person truly is happy at doing. They are passionate about their business and
pursue it with zest. Their business survives because it rarely becomes just
a 'job' to them - which can happen if you choose a business that is only
chosen to help bring in some extra money for you.
Don't jump at the first idea or opportunity that comes along. Too many times
people are so eager to start working from home that they do not do the
research required to build that solid foundation. There are many
"opportunities" out there and if someone finds out you are considering
working at home - you will be inundated with information and new "best
friends". Find out what all the costs are - not just the upfront cost to get
involved, but also the continuing costs in regards to materials, products,
and sales aids.
If you decide to get involved in a Direct Selling company or Network
Marketing Company, understand that you will have guidelines to adhere to and
that you will be a representative of the parent company as opposed to being
your own company. Many have sales quotas to fill and some have very strict
policies when it comes to advertising and sponsoring others into the
business. There are many wonderful companies that offer a way for you to
start earning an income by doing catalog sales, home parties and word of
mouth selling. But do understand that you are required to follow their rules
and regulations of running a business as a representative of theirs.
If your idea is one that is your own or a "home-grown" business, be sure
there is a need for your business or service. You may have a talent or
service that is wonderful, but unless it is marketable, your business won't
thrive and grow. This can differ geographically depending on the
demographics of the area you live in. Before diving in with both feet, test
the waters. Find out from friends, family, business associates and any other
network you are involved in if they see a need or desire for your
goods/services. It's best to spend a little bit of time and in some cases
money at the beginning to find out if your idea is a feasible one.
Once you have decided on a homebased business and are confident that this is
what you want to pursue, give it your all. Building a successful business
takes a lot of time and effort. Many studies show that new businesses take
up to 5 years to see a profit. I see people time and time again giving up
after just a few months because it was too much work or the results weren't
what they had hoped for. You need to be realistic when going into your own
business. Success only happens overnight to a very rare few and
customers/clients won't come knocking down your door. You will have a lot of
sweat and possibly tears that will go into your business to reach your goals
- whatever you have set the goals to be. Remember, there will many trials
and errors mingled with success and joy.
Working at home is the trend of the new millennium and if done properly can
be all that you had hoped it could be.
*****
Cyndi Webb is the president and founder of Moms Network, a non profit
organization dedicated to the success, balance, promotion and networking for
moms at home in business. Visit the Moms Network website for a large number
of free offers, downloads, printables and resources to help both work at
home and stay at home moms.
Cyndi makes her home in Minnesota with her husband and their two children
and can be reached at cyndi@momsnetwork.com.
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STOCKING PERPETUAL PANTRIES
FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Healthy Homebodies
By Leanne Ely
leanneely@aol.com
Copyright 2007
There is nothing more depressing then opening up your cupboards and not have
what you need to put a meal together. I've said it many times: a
well-stocked pantry is a gal's best friend. I mean it--you have to have your
pantry stocked. And don't forget that in today's modern world, a pantry is
more than a cupboard of dry goods. It is also your fridge and freezer.
Every day, I pack lunch (one child is homeschooled, the other goes to
school), so I keep on hand things for lunches. First the non-perishable
tools: plastic spoons, napkins, little containers, blue ice packs for the
lunch box (frozen and ready to use) or lunch bags if you use them. I buy in
large quantities, usually taking advantage of sales. I have two drawers I
use for wraps and bags: one holds my rolls and the larger gallon zipper
topped bags and the other holds all my zipper-topped bags. I have quart
sized, sandwich sized and snack sized. There are back up boxes in the
pantry.
Next, I consider the actual pantry itself. I pack rice chips (like a thin
toasted rice cake), healthy ginger snap cookies, and a case of bottled
water. I have all of this bought weekly or semi weekly and these things stay
on my perpetual shopping list so I am sure to pick them up. In the bread
basket, whole wheat bread, whole wheat bagels and fruit leathers (I get the
natural ones without the sugar).
Then comes the fridge. Again, this stuff is all on my perpetual shopping
list: string cheese or cheese twists (cheddar & mozzarella together),
individual yogurts, Ranch dressing (ugh--this is where I cave to kid
pressure), baby carrots, celery sticks, apples. I also have whole-wheat
tortillas, cream cheese and homemade muffins (not all the time). I don't
pack it all. I choose a few things each time and they take me five minutes
to pack, tops. Sometimes I will have the kids help; sometimes they are doing
other things themselves to get ready.
The sandwich is usually almond butter and a fruit conserve (like preserves,
but sweetened with juice). I will do cream cheese and bagels, or a wrap made
with the tortilla, cream cheese and maybe leftover chicken from the night
before. My kids also like almond butter in a little plastic container to dip
their celery in and I give them a different sandwich that day. Apples cut up
and dipped in almond butter is also a favorite.
Breakfast is even easier. I keep two cold cereals in my pantry plus two hot
cereals: oatmeal mixed with oat bran (I do this myself) and grits (I have to
go to the health food store to get grits now!). I also have honey or brown
sugar for the hot cereal. (I also recommend sucanat-evaporated dried sugar
cane juice). Whole grain frozen waffles and whole grain French toast in the
freezer (you can make and freeze or buy). In the fridge, I have the usual
suspects: eggs and milk. We don't drink juice, but instead opt for whole
fruit. There are always bananas in the basket and oranges off our tree right
now. So take a peek: breakfast is there!
My morning routine is typed out and in a plastic sleeve and sits on the
kitchen island with my timer (if you don't have a timer, you are missing out
on one of the most important tools!). I put it out at night when I am doing
my evening routine. We are out of the house every morning for school at 7:50
(school starts at 8:15, check in begins at 8:05 and it's a 10 minute drive)
and there has only been ONE tardy since school started in September and that
was beyond our control. When we leave, my son is showered, lunch is packed
and he has had a good breakfast (I give him a choice between two breakfasts
while he is getting in the shower). It's a cinch and I'm not stressed.
So there you have it. Breakfast and lunch perpetual pantries. Your pantries
don't need to look the same as mine, but I bet you can draw some
similarities or at least, find a place to start. Let these ideas be a
beginning place for you to make your own perpetual pantry based on your
family's preferences.
You can make your own perpetual grocery list. Mine is on the computer. I
just tweak it as I need it for the week and then always return the document
back to its original state after I have printed it. That way, it is ready to
go for the next time.
That's it! It's that simple, and keeping a perpetual pantry (via your
perpetual shopping list) keeps you stocked up and ready. Are you ready to be
prepared with all your mealtimes? Pack lunches that are easy, healthy and
good? Send your tribe off with full tummies in the morning? Then get moving
and let's get those pantries cleaned out, decluttered and then fully stocked
with what you need to make it happen.
*****
Leanne Ely is the editor of Menu-Mailer. If dinner's a hassle at your house
and you need some help, go to http://www.menumailer.net
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PUBLICATION INFORMATION
Copyright 2007 Cheryl Gochnauer. All rights reserved. For permission to
reprint an article, please write homebodies@comcast.net.
All articles are printed with the author's prior consent. It is assumed that
any questions, tips or replies to questions may be reprinted. All letters
become the property of Cheryl Gochnauer.
Cheryl Gochnauer does not assume responsibility for advice given. All
advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and
applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe
and suitable for their own situation.
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