Or should I say “Well Balanced Moms Are More Fun”? Let me ask you… When was the last time you had lunch with some girl friends, or went on a girl’s night out? When was the last time you went on a romantic weekend getaway with your spouse? If you can’t remember, we definitely have to talk.

It’s so easy to fall into the mommy guilt trap. We feel guilty if we take time for ourselves, so we end up taking care of everyone in the family but us. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the quest to become SuperMom. Along the way we get stressed out and aggravated. It’s important to do something just for us to stay balanced moms. Here are some ways for you to get started on your journey to rediscover YOU.

Get together with some girlfriends. One of the best ways to rediscover yourself is to spend some time with your girlfriends each week. Have lunch together, go to the movies to watch the latest chick flick, or plan a girl’s night out every once in a while.

If you are having a bad day, call one of your girlfriends to vent, or just chat. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel and how it puts things back in perspective that seemed like the end of the world a few minutes ago.

Spend a romantic weekend with your spouse – anywhere but at home. Go away for a romantic weekend with your spouse a few times a year. Rekindle your passion for each other and feel in love again, instead just partners in dealing with the everyday “stuff’ involved in raising kids.

Go on a date every week. Get a sitter once a week and go on a date with your significant other. Spend some time reconnecting with each other. If you have an activity that you both enjoy, take a class together.

Pamper Yourself. Do something every week to pamper yourself. Go get a new haircut. Visit your favorite nail saloon for a manicure, pedicure or to get your nails done. Call your favorite day spa and schedule a facial. Get a massage.

If you are on a budget, pamper yourself at home. Send Dad and the kids to the park. Take a hot bubble bath and paint you toenails. Honey makes a quick facial. Place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores. Smear on honey, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself a few times a week. Your kids will appreciate it when they get a balanced and fun mom in return. You will be more relaxed, happier and actually be able to enjoy your family. After all, that’s why you had kids in the first place, didn’t you?

Sign up for your free Real Life Coaching consultion today - lets  me help you design the life that you want!

GRANDSON!!!!

I can’t stop CRYING!!!

Remember back a few weeks ago when I shared that my daughter Shayna was expecting?  Well, she called me in the middle of such a busy and frustrating day to tell me she just got back from the Drs. office and all is well and she will be having a BOY!! 

I immediately STOPPED what I was doing and broke out in TEARS and then she asked me not to cry and I just told her I was sooo happy for her and then she started crying!!  So for about 3 minutes we sat on the phone just-a-crying 

Just wanted to share the great news with my online family!!

Had to share!!!

RealLifeGuidance.com to provide the most effective, easy-to-read resources for moms and parents to achieve joy in their lives as they manage work, family and personal aspirations.  

Aurelia’s newest “Real Life” guide is entitled ‘Helping Your Teen with High School.’ As a work-at-home mom raising three children ranging in age from 7 to 20, Aurelia provides real, practical advice for parenting teens.

“We want our teens to be happy and successful during a time of their lives that is nothing short of tumultuous. I’ve put together some real life tips and advice that will show parents how to allow teens to have some independence while providing the support and guidance they need to make their way through high school.”

Inside this guide parents and will find information on how to help their teen to:

·       Find their own identity and interests

         ·       Make true friends and handle bullying situations in high school

·       Avoid the traps of peer pressure

·       Handle their first romantic relationship (you’ll also learn how to set dating rules!), and

·       Address many other issues that, if handled well, can help to make this period of their lives a positive and memorable learning period for everyone!

The best part about Aurelia Williams’ Real Life Guidance resources is that each guide is directly accessible from the RealLifeGuidance.com website. In no time at all you’ll be able to download a guide of your choice written in a clear, concise manner that makes it easy to benefit from the quality, practical advice provided by this acclaimed life coach.

This is the time to put your new year’s resolution into action. Visit RealLifeGuidance.com to learn more about the following ‘Real Life’ guides:

Real Life Guidance for Moms:

·       Finding More Family Time

·       Balancing Work & Family

Real Life Guidance for Parents of Teens

·       Understanding Your Teen

·       Helping Your Teen with High School.

Aurelia Williams received her Personal Life Coaching certification from Coach Training Alliance and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. She shares her life coaching expertise with clients and potential clients at Real Life Coaching. Aurelia is also the author of the popular publication Journey to Joy—a guide to helping women find the joy and serenity in their lives.

“This is making me a headache!”

That lovely line above came out of my now 5yo’s mouth when he was frustrated over the daunting task of trying to learn how to tie his shoes. He blurted the sentence out then tossed the sneaker across the room. I walked over to him and talked to him about his frustration (Heck, getting those loops just right is hard work — smile). I explained to him that while it is OK to get angry and frustrated that there are proper ways to do it.

Anger is a completely natural response to frustration. Let’s face it, life is filled with things that can become frustrating, and most of those things are totally out of our control. What we do control is how we deal with those issues. In this message, I wanted to touch on positive ways that we can deal with, express and release our anger and frustration in positive ways.

Think it out - When you begin to feel angry — sit down, relax and then try to think about how you can solve the issue.

Talk it out - Talk to a friend, coach, counselor, or a church member. Expressing your anger by talking to someone about it is a great way to get the anger out.

Write it out - Keep a journal about your feelings. It really helps to get your feeling out of our head and heart and onto paper.

Let it out - Find a place that is secluded and SCREAM!! Yes, let it out - you can scream into a pillow, punch a pillow or stomp. Sometimes a good temper tantrum is in order.

Channel it out - Find some creative way to channel your feelings. Listen to music, paint, turn on the music and dance! There are many ways to creatively channel out anger.

Chill out - Try listening to calming music, taking in slow deep breaths, meditating or doing yoga.

Work it out - Do something physical. Get out and run, go to the gym or go for a brisk walk.

Please keep in mind that anger isn’t always a bad emotion but sometimes the way we deal with our anger is bad. There are many times where anger can be good and is quite appropriate. At can be protection from allowing other people to manipulate or dominate us. It can also motivate us to take action when needed.

Ho Ho Ho or Ba Humbug!?

The holiday season is mostly a time of joy, merriment and family/friend gatherings. However, for many people, it is a time of self-evaluation, isolation, reflection on past failures, and anxiety about many things (past and present).

There are many factors that can cause the “holiday blues”: financial constraints, stress, fatigue and perhaps an inability to be with your family and friends.

Here are some tips that you can use when coping with Stress and/or Depression During the Holiday season:

· Set realistic goals for yourself and take is slow. Try to organize your time wisely. Make a list of the things that you need to do and prioritize them. Be mindful of the YES Syndrome and only commit to doing things that you can realistically fit into your schedule.

· Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some time to help others.

· Enjoy activities that are free, such as window-shopping driving around to look at holiday decorations; going without buying; making a snowperson with children.

· Leave ‘days gone by’ in the past and look positively toward the future. During the course of life, we all face many changes. Try to not compare this holiday season to those of the past. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way. Even with the loss of loved ones, you can try to create new remembrances, new traditions and new joy!

· Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends or contact someone you have not heard from for awhile.

No matter what is happening in your life, reflect upon ALL of the blessings you do have. Taking note of all of the positives in your life will start you on the path of lifting up your mood.

In a search for happiness, many people look for it in other people and not within ourselves. Many people feel that things like money, a better job, better relationships..etc will make them happy. In reality, to find true contentment you must look inside yourself and learn to be your own best friend. That means you have to trust, love, and care for yourself just as you do the people you consider to be close to you.

Following are steps that you can incorporate into your life that will help you to feel more empowered and happy about yourself!

Begin to lift yourself up, not put yourself down. If you don’t like something about yourself, work to change it. If you can’t change it, simply accept it. Don’t beat up on yourself with negative self-talk. You’re not likely to change for the better when you fill yourself with negative thoughts.

Give yourself positive rewards. When you do something that you are proud of give yourself a small reward. Try not to wait for others to praise you because you may grow resentful if the praise doesn’t come. Pat your own back, it is a great feeling that can stay with you for a long time.

Forgive yourself. I doubt that you would keep scolding a child over and over for making a mistake so don’t do that to yourself. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness when you make a mistake. After that, work to figure out what lesson you can learn, and use it to make better choices the next time around.

Enjoy your successes. Most people can remember all of the details of depressing, painful or even embarrassing events that happened many years ago. What if you did the same thing with all of your wins? Try to remember all of the triumphs and accomplishments that you’ve made and keep that memory with you and think about it at least once a week.

Always remember to celebrate your wonderful qualities! You will soon discover that the more you love yourself, the more you will be able to give love to others - and the more others will be able to love you!

Be sure to check out Journey To Joy.  It is an inspiring eBook that explores many obstacles that women face. It also provides essential action steps, worksheets, resources and an hour long Balancing Your Life Audio

Many people have taken me up on my totally free coaching consultations that are available to everyone
and some have also signed up as clients and are seeing amazing results.

I offer a free 30-minute consultation (valued at $45); by telephone, instant messenger or in person to help you decide if coaching is for you. If you are interested you can visit http://reallifecoaching.net/freeconsultation.shtml to read more about it or just send an e-mail to me at info@reallifecoaching.net.

Well on to your discount! I am offing a 20% off Coaching Special!

That’s right, during the month of December I am not only doing free consultations but I am also offering a 20% discount on any of my coaching packages. You can view the packages here http://www.reallifecoaching.net/packages.shtml Be sure to mention this special when you sign up!

As always, if you have any questions, comments, orconcerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.

We all know that while we love our children, parenting can be very stressful. Many times finding a sitter and getting away from your home so that you can unwind may not be possible so here are some great stress relievers you can use while you are with your children:

Music: Listening to music is a great way to reduce stress for both parents and children. You can sing and or dance together with your child or you can just sit, relax and enjoy the melody together.

Walking: You and your children can enjoy the benefits of exercise by walking. You can put them in a stroller if they’re very small, or let them ride a bike, scooter or skateboard next to you if they’re older. Also if you have children that love to explore, why not have them carry a plastic bag and collect leaves, flowers or things of that nature to later use for an art project.

Drawing: What kid doesn’t like to draw and color? Drawing is a great way of expressing feelings for both kids and adults. The next time you’re feeling under some stress why not get out some crayons or some pain and create some beautiful pictures with your kids.

Get out: Doing some fun activities with your friends and including your children and their friends can supply you with a stress relief outlet. Take some time to set aside for play dates and just enjoy adult conversation with a friend as your children play.

Here’s to lowering your stress! Take Care,

P.S. Have you check out the Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook? http://www.reallifesolutions.net/stressworkbook.HTML or the book Stress Reduction for Busy People? http://www.reallifesolutions.net/stress-reduction.HTML they are both on sale now.

Here’s just a bit of what you’ll find inside:

• Help Them Find Their Identity

• Help Them Make Friends and Avoid Bullies
• Help Them Handle Peer Pressure
• Help Them Handle The Demanding Work Load 

This is a just a sampling of the information you’ll receive that will help navigate your teen through the High School years.

You can even get started right now! Find out how…

A few days ago I sent you a message letting you know that approximately 85% of people in the US report that they feel stressed out during the holiday season. Are you included in that 85%? A lot of the stress that people feel comes from the financial pressures that some people feel during the holiday season.

Here are a few free resources to help save money during the holidays:

Christmas Decorating On A Budget:

http://www.reallifesolutions.net/family/christmas-decorating.html

Inexpensive Gift Ideas:

http://www.reallifesolutions.net/family/inexpensive-gift.html

P.S. Need more free holiday resources? Visit

http://www.reallifesolutions.net/family/holiday-planning.html