I’m kicking off a new weekly spotlight series at Hip As I Wanna Be called the “Working Mom Spotlight.” Each week I’ll introduce you to some of the most amazing and fascinating working women across the country.
Our first woman in the spotlight is Amy Lupold Bair…
Amy Lupold Bair, blogger, social media marketer, and mom, is the founder of Resourceful Mommy Media. In 2008, Amy burst onto the social media scene inventing the Twitter Party – a hashtagged social event with panelists and a conversational theme catering to the needs of clients ranging from e-commerce start-ups to nationally recognized trusted brands. Developing from her own successful relationships with public relations firms and companies, Amy developed a network for fellow bloggers in early 2009. The Global Influence Network has grown to include nearly 1500 social media savvy bloggers.
A former English teacher and a writer at heart, Amy continues to blog on her personal site, ResourcefulMommy.com. You can hear more of what Amy has to say at LifetimeMoms.com where Amy is a Parenting Channel leader. If you would like just a small dose of Amy, she is always available in 140 characters or less at @ResourcefulMom on Twitter.
Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood?
I’m still trying to figure that out! This will be the first year that both of my kids are in elementary school, so I’m hoping that I will be able to a better job of compartmentalizing work time and family time. Over the last three years that I’ve been working from home I’ve had to juggle throughout the day and also work late into the night and through weekends. I’m looking forward to keeping more typical work hours and focusing 100% on my family during family time.
Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?
My all time favorite parenting advice is from Maria Shriver. Rather than asking, “Okay?” at the end of an instruction to your child, say “Understand?” The first one asks for approval while the second just asks for comprehension.
Battling stress? Any advice?
Find time for laughter, even if it’s just taking 10 minutes to watch a couple ridiculous YouTube videos or chatting with a friend on Skype. Sometimes I just call my husband in the middle of the day at work to tell him something ridiculous knowing it will make him laugh. Laughter makes everything else tolerable.
Tools or products you can’t live without?
Twitter. Addicted to my very core.
Do you have an inspirational quote, motto or philosophy you can share with us?
I have Philippians 4:13 hanging in my office – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Favorite resources, books, or website?
To be honest, I turn to social media to find most of the information I need. Even if the people on Facebook or Twitter don’t know the right answer, they certainly know how to link me to it.
As the bus pulled away I turned, stifled my sobs, walked back to the house and then … I cried.
I was emotional for so many reasons. For the overwhelming concern he timidly revealed before boarding the bus. For his anxiety. I wept thinking of the long confusing corridors, unfamiliar faces and surroundings awaiting him.
It was as if the release of my own tears would somehow lessen his burden.
I suppose a part of me mourned the loss of his childhood. Because middle school signifies the beginning of a new era. A new era where my son will need me less. Where, if my husband and I have done our jobs correctly, we will no longer be the center of his universe.
It is time for him to transition. To rise to the challenge and start trusting himself. It is time for him to take responsibility. For his choices. And eventually, his life.
And it is time for his mom to start to learn to let go…. eventually.
This week was an exciting one for my pre-teen. He got to see his Invisalign Clincheck and is one step closer to his new braces.
During our last visit, our doctor took x-rays, pictures and impressions of of his teeth and sent them to Invisalign. They were then converted into digital 3-D images. (Which impressed the boy to no end. Yes, I admit, it IS too cool.) At our most recent appointment, she mapped out our treatment plan for us, including the exact movements of his teeth during the process. It is estimated that it will only take 12 months for his treatment. (Wow! I remember kids having them on for three years when I was young.)
Let me just pause for a moment to say that I didn’t think that Ninja’s teeth were that out of line. Once I saw the video of how his teeth are projected to change, I was taken aback.
Here is a video of his teeth (one angle) and how they will proceed through treatment:
Technology is amazing, isn’t it? And those flesh colored dots on his teeth? Those are called “attachments.” They are glued to the teeth to help them move into place. Don’t worry, they will be clear as well.
The funniest part about this whole experience so far is the fact that my son seems to enjoy telling people (friends, acquaintances, random strangers… ) about his “invisible braces.” Their reactions range from “No fair!” to “Aww, you are so lucky!” to “Mom, I want those too!” Jeez, if he is this bad now, hate to see him when he is actually wearing the darn things.
Disclosure: I’m part of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board and my son is receiving free Invisalign treatment so that we could share our honest experiences.
I forget until I’m right up in the action. Like, at mile 14 when I am wishing that I had just SLEPT IN and that the last damn hill wasn’t on the route.
It is usually then I realize what an undertaking marathon training is.
Training FORCES me to think of myself and my body in a different way. I think about sleep. I think about nutrition. I try new strategies and buy products that confuse my husband.
Anyway, this week’s update:
We hit the crazy 16 this week. As awesome as it feels to say that out loud, there is always that little voice in the back of my head screaming “How the hell am I supposed to do 10 more?!”
But we will get there. Step by step. Week by week. GU by GU…
This week’s run was fueled by the following tune:
Don’t ask. Around mile 15 runners typically start admitting things that normal folk wouldn’t. Like the fact that some of us listen to Radio Disney even when our kids aren’t in the car. I may or may not be outing myself here.
Back in May I put together a list of 40 things that I want to do prior to hitting the big 4-0. At that time I promised myself that I would check in every couple of weeks on the blog in order to keep myself accountable.
So here is the progress….
Personal
Finish decorating my bedroom.
Complete the picture mural in the living room.
Begin writing a book.
Bring back the pink hair or get a nose piercing.
Learn how to skateboard.
Have my first girlfriend’s weekend away.
Visit the beach.
Buy an expensive night cream.
Buy a new (read: slinky) dress to wear to a fancy function.
Get an extravagant pedicure.
Adopt a mantra.
Buy iPhone 4 (Please, honey?)
Complete a Bible study.
Join a book club.
Take a cooking class.
Blog / Online
Finish the blog redesign along with You Tube, Twitter, About.Me and new blog cards. (In process. Almost complete.)
Launch a new web series.
Get that big content idea off the ground.
Land a really cool partnership.
Nab a cool guest post opportunity or meet a blogger that I’ve always admired.
Fitness Goals (I admit it… totally sucking at this)
Lose that 15 pounds.
Run the Baltimore marathon.
Finish a Body-For-Life round.
Try Yoga.
Professional
Join the board of directors or take a leadership role in an organization.
Finish decorating my office.
Find an organizational system that works perfectly for me. (Nearly conquered)
Do something outside my comfort zone.
Write a white paper.
Land a speaking engagement.
Attend a conference or take an online course in my industry.
Family
Take each boy on a special day alone.
Run a 5K with one or both of the boys.
Spend a romantic night away with my husband.
See a musical, play or performance.
Take the boys to New York.
Go to a theme park.
Call my sister(s) every week.
Have tea at a tea room with my mother and sisters.
Take a family hike.
You’ll notice that the sections that have THE LEAST AMOUNT accomplished are personal. Interesting, isn’t it? Is that just a “woman thing” or is it a “parent thing?” Why is it so hard for me to get a damn pedicure to try yoga?
I’m still holding out hope that I will be able to accomplish all of these goals. Fingers crossed!
Back in May I put together a list of 40 things that I want to do prior to hitting the big 4-0. At that time I promised myself that I would check in every couple of weeks on the blog in order to keep myself accountable.
