My daughter is getting to quite the fan of helping me bake in the kitchen. She loves to dump the ingredients after I have measured them out. I think her absolute favorite thing though is to taste test along the way. You probably do not need this recipe as it is on the package of Toll House Chocolate Chips, but just in case here it is:

•2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•1 teaspoon salt
•1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
•3/4 cup granulated sugar
•3/4 cup packed brown sugar
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•2 large eggs
•2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
•1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Depending on the age of your child they should be able to help measure and mix the ingredients and scoop the dough to place on the cookie sheet. It can also be fun to watch as the cookies bake in the oven, watching them go from rounded lumps to flat cookies. They will definitely enjoy eating them.

What is your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe? Do you add anything different to yours? I’ve also had them with a mixture of white and chocolate chips and those are really good too.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

-Some churches and community centers offer a Mother’s Day Out program. It is usually a once a week, drop-in daycare offering. It is a safe environment for your child and a way for mom to have a few hours to herself once a week. It can be a great way to prepare a child for preschool. And it gives mom a chance to run errands, take a shower, read a book, or finish a work project. Ask your family and friends if they know of any in your area.

-If you receive a job offer email in your inbox and you didn’t apply with the company, than it is probably spam. Most companies do not send out unsolicited job offers or ads. You should just delete these and move on.

-On the scam note, any kind of job asking you to process payments or a random email asking you to accept a large sum of money into your bank account is scam.

-Now that the weather is warming up, it is a great time to meet other moms in your area who are home with their children during the day. Go to the park, take a picnic and let your children play. They will probably make friends with the other kids there and you can strike up a conversation with their mom.

-Most businesses take 3-5 years to become successful. The number one source of failure for a new business in the first year is that the owner quits.

-There is nothing quite like eating pancakes that your dear husband made with your daughter on a Sunday morning. I have the best job in the world. 

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

Over and over again she heard from friends what a hassle it was to find quality child care for their kids. My sister loves children and decided that she needed to look into running a daycare center in her home. She would be able to stay home with her son and offer a loving and warm environment for others.

She had to fill out an application with her state, attend an all day education course, become certified in safety techniques, and have her home inspected in order to receive a license. She must follow certain rules about the number of children she can have in her care and their ages. These rules and regulations all vary from state to state, so please check for the guidelines in your area.

She utilizes the free advertising on Craigslist and I helped her get a website up and running. She now has four children in her care and is looking to take on one more child. She has had a steady stream of interest from parents, so there really is a shortage in childcare in our area. Her days are long but she finds her work very rewarding. The best part is she is able to stay home with her son and he has other children to play with everyday.

Do you run an in home daycare? Is this something that you may be interested in doing? I would love to hear from others that run this type of business.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

Many forums will allow you to place a link to your website in your signature (check the rules first). Some even have sections to advertise your business on as well. It is important though to follow some guidelines when using forum posting to help build your business.

First of all, gaining customers should not be your main focus when posting to forums. If all of your posts center around your business, then you are going to come off as a spammer and people will ignore you for sure. It may even get you banned depending on the forum’s rules. You should pick a forum with a topic that you enjoy and start posting about your interests. A member that contributes advice, offers support, and asks questions is one that will make friends quickly.

Secondly, take some time to get a feel for the community. Is it a fast paced one with hundreds of new posts every day? Or a slower moving one that sees little traffic. Make sure that your posting style is compatible to the existing members’ style. Always be courteous to other members and don’t get into a flame war.

My last piece of advice is to offer up some details about your personal life, but don’t be too open. Always remember that you are on a public forum that anyone can read. I don’t like to put too much information about my family out there for safety reasons. And don’t air your dirty laundry. The chances that I will do business with someone that feels the need to share the sordid details of their Aunt’s affair are about nil. I imagine most people feel the same way.

What are some of your favorite forum posting tips? Have you gained customers posting to message boards? I hope today’s advice helps you out.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

In order to be a successful business there are certain requirements in order to appear professional. The more professional that your business appears, the more confident potential customers will be. I have compiled a list of the top ten things that every business should have.

1)A customized domain name. Registering a domain name is super easy and takes only a few minutes. I recommend GoDaddy, as they are one of the largest registrars out there. If you already have a business name, then check to see if that is available first.

2)A Website. A person’s first stop in learning about a business these days is the internet. If your company does not have a web presence, most consumers will probably just write you off. Nowadays it is easier than ever to have a website. Wordpress has revolutionized websites and it isn’t just for blogs. You can create a very simple website even when you have no knowledge of html.

3)Business Cards. VistaPrint offers very inexpensive, customizable business cards. I have even printed up some good ones on my home computer using business card stock from an office supply store.

4)Email that matches your domain. Having a professional email address can instill confidence that your company is legitimate. People can be turned off by an email address from a free email provider such as Hotmail or Yahoo.

5)A Logo. Every successful company has a logo and many can be identified by the logo alone. If you do not have graphic design experience GotLogos.com offers a very low cost design service.

6)Toll free phone number. Many people do prefer being able to contact a business by using the phone. You can get a toll free number that forwards calls to your home phone or cell phone. You can find a comprehensive list of toll free providers here.

7)Business Bank Account. For accounting purposes and tax purposes it is best to keep your business credits and debits separate from your household finances. In order to get a true business account at most banks you will need to have a DBA (doing business as) from your county.

8)Personalized Thank You Cards. Even in this day and age of email, there is nothing quite like receiving something in the mail. When a business owner takes the time to send out a personalized thank you card I am much more likely to do business with them again. Postcards can make a great thank you card and are a bit cheaper to mail.

9)Promotional items. Having pens or little notebooks with your business contact information on them is a great way to gain customers. Many times when I have been out running errands someone will ask to borrow a pen. This is a great opportunity to hand them one with your information and tell them to keep it. Chances are they will check out your website and may become a customer. These also make great thank you gifts to existing customers. Calendars and sticky notes are also great ideas.

10)Sign for your car. Most people spend many hours driving around in their car. Put your car to work for you with a magnet, bumper sticker or sign advertising your business and contact information. A local printing company will probably be able to help you with this item. I have even seen cars that have been completely “wrapped” with a company’s logo and information.

11)Flyers. This is something that you can easily print at home and then post on community bulletin boards around your town. Make sure they are clear and to the point as most people only take a few moments to look at these.

12)Mission Statement. This is an opportunity to share with potential customers the goals and values of your company. It doesn’t have to be long and could be as short as one sentence. It will help your customers see what your company stands for.

13)Business Plan. Having a clear set of goals written down can help your company maintain focus and stay on track to become successful. Most companies do not share their business plans with customers, but this is a must have if you ever seek out financing with a bank or investor.

What are some items that you consider home business must have? What has been the best item for your business? Having all of these items in place will put you on the road to success.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

Their absolute favorite demonstration was for something that you can create right in your kitchen. They created Flubber and so can you. My friend said it brings about hours of fun for her girls. This is important because she is a work at home mom too. She is constantly on the lookout for great things that she can make with her kids and I love when she passes them along to me. Here is the recipe for Flubber:

1/3 cup warm water
3 tablespoons Borax (it is found in the laundry detergent aisle)
2 cups warm water
2 cups Elmer’s glue
food coloring (optional)

Add the borax to the 1/3 cup warm water and stir till dissolved. This may take five minutes to happen. Add the food coloring now, if you want the flubber to be colored. In another bowl mix the 2 cups of warm water with the glue and still till dissolved. Add the borax mixture to the glue mixture. Now for the hands on part: mix it all up with your hands. Continue to mix and knead for about five minutes. Thick and sticky fun! It will last for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Congrats! You have just made a polymer. I don’t think it will make your car fly but I bet your children will love pulling, stretching and bouncing it. If it dries or gets stuck on anything, some vinegar should help to clean it up.

Have you ever made Flubber? Is it just plain fun or do you try to incorporate a science lesson? I can’t wait for my daughter to be old enough for this one.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

Afterward my daughter wanted to play at the mall’s play area. I’m sure your mall has one with the huge, foam food with the soft rubber ground underneath. She has started to become daring and loves to go down the watermelon slide. My mother-in-law was having a great time chasing after her, so I got to sit on a bench and sip a latte.

As I was sitting there, I noticed the two women next to me chatting. They had struck up a conversation about their daughter’s having the same name. The spelling was a bit different but they were around the same age. They continued to chat and found they had other things in common as far as their other children and activities they liked to do.

Then one of the women said the magic words “we should get together sometime for a play date.” The other mom got a big smile on her face and said “let me give you my phone number.” Right there in front of me I watched two women perhaps start on a journey of friendship. I found it a bit ironic because I had blogged on Thursday about finding a support structure of other moms.

It really can be such a simple thing, this finding of other moms with whom you have something in common; women who have children around the same age at your own. Next time you are out at the park or the mall and your children are playing, I challenge you to exchange contact info with another mom that you click with. Good luck!

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

Life is busy; there is no doubt about that. I know that as a Mom I am responsible for getting so many things done around the house. I make sure that gifts are bought for birthdays, I keep track of the schedule, I make appointments, I take care of my daughter and my husband and the dog, and I work too. I spend very little time worrying about myself. I go months between haircuts and a latte from Starbucks is enjoyed in the car after going through the drive through. Dr. Nadine Kaslow believes that Moms should do more for themselves though.

“There are a number of reasons it’s good for a woman to take care of herself,” Kaslow explained. “First of all it’s really hard to take care of other people if you are not taking care of yourself. If you think about a car metaphor, if there’s not enough fuel in the car, the car won’t go,” she said. “A second reason is when people aren’t taking care of themselves, they tend to get resentful of the other people they are taking care of in their lives, so they may become short or irritable with them. A third reason is that life is more meaningful and gratifying if we take care of ourselves; we tend not to feel depressed,” she added. “We feel less anxious, and moms who are not depressed and less anxious are more able to be effective mothers.”

She goes on to say that it doesn’t have to be a day at the spa to be considered ‘me’ time though. Reading a book or taking a bath could be just the thing that you need.

What do you do for ‘me’ time? How does it make you feel afterward? I’m about to enjoy a Saturday night movie, I hope you get some ‘me’ time too.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

I have been fortunate in that I have found a group of about six other moms with children that are all within a few months of age of my daughter.
Recently we have started to get together at each other’s homes for a weekly playgroup. It has been wonderful for my daughter to be able to enjoy some free play with other kids and it is always novel to play with other kid’s toys.

For the moms though, it has been a breath of fresh air. We get a break from the routine of being home and we get a chance to chat and relax. There is coffee, snacks, and usually a pizza for lunch. We can talk about things the bother us and find sympathy. We can also brag about things our children are doing and get heartfelt praise.

I was lucky to meet all these families at our local baby and mom classes at Gymboree. Most of us have been going since our children were just a few months old. At first we would smile and say hi. Then we would chat a bit about the weather and any “firsts” our babies were doing. Asking to get together outside of class was one of the most nerve wracking things I have ever done though. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she already has plans? What if she doesn’t need another friend?

All of those fears were so unfounded though. I found out later on that all the other moms were just as lonely as I was, but also afraid of rejection. Asking the first mom I clicked with to lunch after class turned out to be one of the best things I could have done, for both me and my daughter.

How have you meet other moms? Did you find it easy to ask them over for a play date? I know it may seem difficult, but I highly recommend asking another mom you know out for coffee next time you see her. Chances are she has wanted to do the same.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.

My daughter is too young for any of these programs, most of them start at age 3 for children that are no longer in diapers. If your children are in school and you would like to have them continue some type of program for the summer, now is the time to sign up. Or this could be a great exposure to school if they are starting for the first time in the fall. And let’s face it, just because it is summer does not mean that your work ends. Having a safe and fun place for your children will keep them busy and you free to work.

Many summer day camps are programs that you sign up for on a week by week basis. I would love to talk about ways to find the right summer day camp for your children today. It seems there are so many different programs to choose from.

One of the biggest providers of summer day camps are daycare centers and private schools. You may have received a flyer in the mail for one near you. I know that the Montessori school down the street from me is hosting a day camp with a different theme each week. Most daycares also are prepared for offering childcare during the summer when school is out. Ask family and friends for recommendations.

YMCA facilities are found across the country. They are probably one of the biggest providers of summer programs. They offer everything from art to sports programs. Does your child want to learn how to play soccer or rock climb perhaps? Find out what your children want to learn over the summer. Maybe they want to spend the summer outside exploring, swimming and hiking.

Churches generally offer some kind of vacation bible school (VBS) program as well. They often only last for one week, so it may not work as a child care program for the whole summer. If this is something important to your family though it may be a great interlude to the program you choose for the majority of the summer.

Just doing a quick internet search for day camps in my area has revealed everything from horseback riding, knitting, scrapbooking, football, and theater programs. You should be able to find something that appeal to your family’s needs. There is a great directory at Camps.com. What are some things to look into before signing up though?

-Ask if the program is accredited. Research the accreditation agency to see what their standards are.
- Is it a full or half-day program? A younger child may do better with half-days.
- Do they provide food? Some programs offer a snack and you provide lunch. Others provide all of the food.
-Does the program have a philosophy or religious affiliation? Is it in line with your family’s beliefs?
-If your child is going to spend the majority of the day outside can they help your child apply sunscreen? A younger child may not be able to accomplish this by themselves.
-Find out if instructors undergo background checks and safety training. Are the instructors experienced and how long have they worked at the day camp. What is the child to instructor ratio?
-Ask for the names of parents whose children participated in the program in previous years that you can call as a reference.
-Are they able to dispense prescription medication to your child if they need it?
-How is discipline handled at the day camp? Is it something that you are comfortable with?

Summer day camp can help to keep your children from going stir crazy all summer. They love routine and even if they profess that they do not like school having the Monday through Friday schedule is good for them. You can keep up the consistency of this with summer day camp.

There may also be residential camps in your area that offer programs in your area. These are generally for older children that are ready to spend time away from their parents. You will have to assess if your child if emotionally ready to go away by themselves. Finding and choosing one of these programs is a big topic in itself and one for another day.

Have your children ever gone to a summer day camp? Do you have any tips for finding a great one? Looking at the options available make me very excited for when my daughter will be old enough to attend.

Warmly,
Mia

This post originated from It's A WAHM Thing, a magazine for work at home moms.