Interesting that I came across the following article in a website on Best Health, entitled:  "Women Juggle 6.2 Roles per day".

  Can you imagine?  6.2 roles.  For men, the average is 4.7.  They also say that 97% of women are stressed.  Which is natural considering if you are juggling that many roles, including the 6.2 different objectives, needs, wants, etc, how do you keep it all straight, and stay sane?   

 

This is where the interesting part comes in.  It also went on to say that 80% of women say that making time for themselves is important; however, only half get around to actually doing it!  We should have our October glass of wine around the discussion of how to make time for ourselves.   And I think the importance of this increases, due to the fact that women who did make time for themselves - even just 10 minutes out of their day - actually were able to break the stress cycle.  

 

Post your information on how you make time for yourself, and what! 

 

Until then, I hope you are planning your 10 minutes a day!

 

 

Stephanie

Is it possible that being a working mom can contribute to childhood weight issues? & how do you prepare healthy meals for your Children?

First let me say, possible, but I disagree with that type of broad stroke statement.  

There was a provocative article in Health.com that discussed a link between working mother's and an increase in childhood obesity.  For the full article, go here.  It basically links the fact that over the last 35 years, mom's in the work force have gone from less than 50% to more than 70%, while today childhood obesity is at 17%, the figures tripling over the same period.  The article did say that there were some issues with the data, and how it was gathered.  So, although it wasn't completely discounted, it was framed at least that it may not be completely accurate. 

When I think of the last 35 years, we've also seen an increase in take out places, and a higher disposable income, which means, maybe we have more access to eating junk & fast food.  So there are many factors that make up why we have an increase in obesity, and not just all of us mom's out there working.

It is hard to figure out meals.  Remember during earlier discussions on balance, I've said that I do receive assistance from my mother in law, who lives about 10 minutes away, in the form of childcare (when they were young), to helping us out with meal planning today.  We'll buy for example a whole chicken, and she will cook it for us.  So this definitely helps.  My husband has a schedule that also allows him to cook a meal or two a week, and if I work from home & have a lunch break, I will prepare a meal during that time.

But it is difficult to ensure that the kids eat healthy.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you ensure your family eats healthy meals, and how you manage to prepare them......