Mamma Works

by Gretchen Lindell, EdM, MammaWorks Find Gretchen on Google+ Did you recently get promoted to a management role?  Or is your team just not trusting you and not buying into your vision.  Well, I'm here to help.  For many years, I was the dean of a small local business college.  I've since left that position to pursue other adventures (another post for another day).  As a dean, I learned many management lessons in a very short period of time.  To be clear, I studied to be an educator, not a manager.  I was 32 when I took the position and also a first-time mom.   When I took the position of dean, I was surprised very quickly with the complexity of the position.  As the dean, it was my job to manage all of the college's faculty, to oversee the curriculum and its development, to oversee student success, and to generally oversee other issues as necessary.  I am someone who is driven for success; so, learning management became my top pr...

It was a rough couple of years, wasn't it.  My husband and I thought we were prepared, with three month's salary in the bank.  Ha!  Three months?  What about weathering unemployment for two years, due to the Great Recession?  Luckily, we were able to hold onto our house and cars, unlike so many others out there.  But, that came at a price.  We had to cash in one of our retirements, and I had to go back to work to support the family.  We traded paying childcare costs for having health insurance.  In addition to the monetary losses, the strain unemployment put on our relationship was intense.  But, after FIVE years, we are very slowly, moving to a better place in our lives. In 2009, my husband lost his secure, professional position that allowed me to work from home while caring for our first son.  While we were blessed with a supportive family and friends, the last five years have been incredibly difficult on my husband ...

I don't usually tell you flat out what the "best of" something is without comparing it to something of equal attributes, but I had to bend the rule for this post.  My friend, Melissa, gave me this hand soap for my birthday, and it is the best all-natural hand soap I have EVER used!   Here's the list of things not included in the ingredient list: No parabens, No synthetic dyes or fragrances, No triclosan (which happens to be a pesticide and is in most antibacterial soaps--YUCK!, No phthalates, No PEGS, No petroleumderived ingredients, No animal-derived ingredients. This soap is gluten-free and vegan. This is the best smelling soap in the entire world. Every time I wash my hands I have to smell them. They smell like pure peppermint. After I smell them I feel invigorated. It's like getting my hands clean and aromatherapy at the same time. The price for this soap is at a higher price point than I usually like, however, it's not outrageous for all t...

Every mother knows that potty training is a stressful time for parents and children alike.  However, with some preparation, the generally traumatic time can be made easier for all. That's how I started this post let's see, um, four years ago!  Yes, this topic has remained in my Draft box for 4 years!  I guess it's not as easy as I originally thought.  However, since number 2 is on his way to going #2 on the potty, I thought it was time to revisit the topic. My first child was a dream to potty train.  Here's the scenario, "DS, you want to go on the Big Boy potty?"  DS said, "Yes, mommy." And he went.  Of course, we had some minor accidents, but for the most part, he caught on like a pro. Now, #2, he's an entirely different story.   Me:  "#2, want to go potty on the Big Boy Potty?" #2:  "No." OK, so I wait about a week and try again. Me:  "#2, want to go potty on the Big Boy Potty like Daddy and Big Brother? #...

Do you like to grocery shop?  If you answered, "Yes," this post is not for you.  Among all of the chores that I must accomplish over the course of the week, grocery shopping is one of my least favorite tasks.  However, over the course of the years, I have adapted.  I am now able to complete my weekly three store run in about 2 hours (including travel time).  Sound interesting?  Well, this is how I do it... Tips for Cutting Down on Grocery Shopping Time Write a list.   I know this seems like a given, but so many people fail to plan ahead and then they find themselves running back and forth across the store in order to pick up something they had forgotten on an earlier pass.Thereby wasting valuable time. Comparison shop at home.  Many grocery stores have apps or websites now where you can see current pricing on items.  Use this information to your advantage and make your purchasing decisions prior to walking into the store.  (I usua...

Hello friends! So, I have been researching this whole couponing thing lately...   I think I have figured some of it out.  This is NOT extreme couponing though.  This is the level of couponing that I can handle.  As a full-time professional, a mom, and a wife (who supports her husband's business), I do not really have the time to drive here, there, and everywhere to get something for "Free."  There are plenty of sites out there that will show you how to do this.  If you are looking for this, just go to YouTube and search, "Teach me how to Extreme Coupon." Here's What I've Found Out During My Short Amount of Research: Three Game-Changing Techniques to Make Your Coupons Work for You 1. You have to have an inventory of coupons.  You are not going to get great deals after one weekend of clipping coupons.  The best deals happen between two to four weeks after a coupon is publish.  (If you think about this, it makes sense.  The compani...

Hi Moms (and Dads)! I've been away for awhile now.  I apologize.  However, I was living through a transition.  I changed jobs!  As if life as a working mom isn't stressful enough.  Throw in working through the kinks of a new job situation, and there goes all of my free time to write. However, now I am back, and I am better than before.  My new position affords me some time that I can concentrate on other endeavors, like saving TIME and MONEY!  Every mom's magic words, huh? Changing jobs was a difficult decision for me, but the time seemed right.  When you begin to take your work home, the little ones see even less of you.  So, I found a position that allows me to work and then just be mom when I walk out the doors at night.  (No more weekends and weeknights!  Hurray!) Have you been looking for a new job?  Let's share stories...  Good luck to all of you job seekers out there.