The MomsTown Guide to Getting It All

By Mary Goulet and Heather Reider
Published by Hyperion
August 2005; $15.00US/$20.00CAN; 1-4013-0787-6

Are you ready for a MomsTown makeover?

Tired of the stereotype of the stay-at-home mom as someone who cooks, cleans, and carpools?

Ready to be part of a new generation of SAHMs (stay-at-home moms) who are full of dreams, goals, and vision? If so, welcome to MomsTown!

At MomsTown, we believe you deserve a vibrant, fulfilling personal life in addition to your family life. We know you're busy. We know you sometimes feel like you don't have enough time to breathe, much less pursue your passions. That's where The MomsTown Guide to Getting It All comes in! Whether your dream is to run a marathon, go back to school, or turn a hobby into a business, this simple ten-week "GAL" (Get A Life) plan will help you make your vision a reality. Along the way you'll learn:

--To honor your personal identity, in addition to being a mom

--To avoid the pitfalls that keep many moms from pursuing their dreams

--To have fun along the way!

In this simple program that even the most overscheduled mom can follow, you'll also learn the virtues of vanity, the power of full pockets, how to master the quarter hour, the importance of finding a partner in crime, and how to get over your Big Buts ("but I don't have time . . . but I don't have the energy . . . but I don't feel motivated . . ."). A practical guide to reshaping your attitudes and reigniting your passions, The MomsTown Guide to Getting It All will help you create your most fulfilling life as both a woman and a mom.

Reviews

"The MomsTown Guide to Getting It All is a must-read for any stay-at-home mom. There were no directions on how to 'have it all' in terms of being a wife, mother, and businesswoman -- that is, until this book came along!"

--Lisa Druxman, Chief Founding Mother of StrollerStrides.com

"The MomsTown Guide to Getting It All offers invaluable advice to every mother who stays at home and wants to live the most fulfilling, exciting life possible." --Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Excerpt

The following is an excerpt from the book The MomsTown Guide to Getting It All: A Life Makeover for Stay-at-Home Moms

SAHM Amnesia

Stay-at-home moms often complain that since having children, their minds have turned to mush and they often forget things. One of our moms, Krissy, told us, "I was appointed PTA vice president once. I set up an orientation meeting for the previous year's board and the incoming board. Everybody showed up for it -- except me!"

Yes, moms do forget things. We'll admit, there is truth to this, but it doesn't have to stay that way. Your mind is agile and efficient, and if you want to be more alert and have more intellectual stimulation, the only thing standing in your way is your own perceived limitations. Last year, Heather and her husband actually forgot their anniversary! It shocked both of them. Between work, the kids' school commitments, friends, and family, it was lost in the shuffle. Often forgetting a big event like that is a wake-up call that you need to give your schedule and organizational methods (and possibly your relationship with your husband) more attention. It is also important not to be too hard on yourself when you inevitably forget.

One MomsTown member, Fran, said, "I forget things all of the time. Now I finally understand why I sometimes thought my own mother was a complete flake when I was little. With the kids and all of our schedules, there just isn't enough room in my brain for everything anymore. Part of it is the fact that there is suddenly so much to do just to get through the day. So even when I remember what I am supposed to do at that moment, on the way to do that, I run into three or four things that demand equal attention, and before I know it, I've forgotten what my original task was."

Forgetting is just part of being a mom. That's a fact, but it can be curtailed by strong organizational methods. When you do forget, you can't beat yourself up for it. It's hard to remember every engagement your kids have, your obligations, your husband's obligations, your friends' birthdays, and even your kids' friends' birthdays. Frankly, it is impossible. But there are things you can do to avoid frequent forgetfulness. Organization is a key element of conquering forgetfulness. You can figure out a system for remembering your daughter's ballet recital, the school bake sale, your appointment with a new client, and everyone's birthday.

Some moms just have difficulty getting out of the door with everything they need. Said one mom, Lorie, "Once I'm out of the house, it's remembering everything that poses the problem. I can usually get all of my daughter's stuff together, but I sometimes find I am out and about and my list of stops is still sitting on the entrance-hall table."

Earlier in the book, we discussed getting an organizer as being crucial to your success and your commitments. Our program encourages and reminds you to be aware of treating your commitments and your life with professional respect in the most basic, simple ways. Grab your organizer and do the following:

• Write reminders of all of your family's and friends' birthdays on your calendar. Note the actual day, but also write a reminder in two weeks ahead of time.


• When you receive invitations to weddings, write the date on your calendar, but also write a reminder as to how early you need to book and schedule travel plans, accommodations, etc. If possible, this should be up to three months ahead of time.


• As soon as you make doctor appointments for your kids or you, write them down.


• Use brightly colored stickers to denote regular events, including:
  Newborns' shots
  Little League games
  Ballet lessons
  Dentist appointments


• When you know you're going out, begin getting everything ready early. Put things by the door as you think of them. You can even begin doing this the night before if you have to leave early in the morning and know you need quite a few things for your errands.

As you work toward cutting down on the forgetfulness and having a more organized schedule you honor and respect, try to remember that mistakes happen and everyone forgets; even though you're a goddess, remember, you're also human!

Authors

Careerwomen before they became moms, Heather Reider and Mary Goulet were staying home with their kids when they started to wonder how they could add purpose, goals, and creativity to their everyday lives. While they felt grateful for the opportunity to raise their children, they knew they weren't being good role models unless they were living their own lives to the fullest. So they created MomsTown -- a website, newsletter, internet radio program, and online community where thousands of moms connect with their peers and discover fresh perspectives on their daily lives. Visit them on the web at www.MomsTown.com.

Excerpted from MOMSTOWN GUIDE TO GETTING IT ALL by Mary Goulet and Heather Reider. Published by Hyperion. Copyright (c) 2005 Mary Goulet-Rendler, Heather Reider. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.