"IdeasForWomen" via Trisha in Google Reader

The Constitution- It Means Whatever You Want It To Mean

2012-05-25T21:30:53Z

Many in the GOP claim to be Constitutionalists. Believers in what the American Constitution says, in protecting it, in protecting all of its ideals. They also tend to believe in state’s rights- that the federal government should keep its nose out of the business of the individual states.

Unless, of course, they want the exact opposite of those things.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has an interesting idea. According to him, what GOP should be focusing on is finding a way to ban abortion- which is completely legal and protected by the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade. And the way to do that is by using the 14th amendment.

His idea is that a law could be passed that defined an embryo as a person. Then, the 14th amendment would apply to the “unborn persons” on the United States, and the Fed could mandate that states MUST recognize the rights of those “citizens.”

Of course, this would contradict the 14th amendment, which provides equal protection to all citizens. And if the equal protections of women and embryos are considered, than any embryo could be considered a hostile criminal, guilty of attempted assault, or even attempted murder. And the federal government would mandate that states MUST recognize the rights of their female citizens and allow them to defend themselves from those potentially hostile and dangerous other persons.

It’s a whole new can of worms, Senator Paul. I’m not sure you really want to crack it open.

Memorial Day Water Safety Tips

2012-05-25T14:51:43Z

Monday is Memorial Day and thousands of families are flocking to the lakes, beaches, and pools that will all be opening this weekend. Here are a few tips to help and your little ones stay safe this weekend around the water whether near the pool or at the beach.

Pool Safety Tips:

Actively supervise your children around water at all times, and have a phone nearby to call for help in an emergency.

Make sure your pool has four-sided fencing and a self-closing, self-latching gate to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised. In addition, hot tubs should be covered and locked when not in use.

Install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area unsupervised.

Teach children to never go near or in water without an adult present.

Enroll your child in swimming lessons after age 4.

Open Water Safety (lakes and beaches):

Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention.

Enroll your child in swimming lessons – it is an important skill for both children and adults to know.
Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming.
Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
Teach children not to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers because you never know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface of the water.

Learn infant and child CPR and keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

How Personality Plays into Your Investing Risk Tolerance

2012-05-25T12:00:13Z

We discussed how age can factor into your investing risk tolerance, but regardless of whether you are young or old, there is something to be said about personality’s influence on this trait. Let’s be honest—some people are born daredevils and some people are perennially cautious. Although we could spend hours discussing what determines our personality and what is the “ideal” personality type, we know that different people crave different levels of risk, both in life in general and investing in particular.

As I mentioned previously about my own quiz results, my tendency is towards low risk investments. Much of this is due to my nature as a generally cautious person that likes minimal controlled risk. Adrenaline junkies, however, thrive on risk and the unknown, and therefore are more likely to invest in high risk ventures that could offer large returns if successful—or alternatively, serious losses if “luck” is not on their side.

Sometimes when we risk nothing, we gain nothing. A family member of mine contemplated investing in Microsoft when it was a young company and the stock was cheap. Little did they know of the technology empire that would soon unfold, and if they had decided to invest, they would be a millionaire right now. Sometimes inaction is your worst enemy.

Being either too squeamish or too reckless in regards to investing is not desirable. It is ideal to strike that delicate balance, and to temper any natural tendencies with a constant attempt to make informed investing decisions. Information can help conservative types to take chances that they can feel comfortable with, and it can help aggressive investors to focus on investing options that offer some reasonable risk with the possibility of good returns.

Maximizing Your Company’s Reach on Facebook

2012-05-25T04:07:37Z

I read a great article today by Mashable about maximizing your company or brand’s reach on Facebook. I was so surprised to find out that most brands are actually only reaching, on average, 16% of their fan base – even when they were posting 5 to seven times per week! This made me do a double take when I thought about my own social media campaigns and efforts for my own clients!

You can view all five of the tips from Mashable here, but the one that really resonated the most with me was “Don’t Play Hard to Get“. In this tip, we are told that we should not “be coy” with our requests for readership and fans. Go ahead…ask someone to “like” your page. Pose questions. Ask for comments. Poll readers. It sounded silly at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought…”Hmm, if a page I “liked” asked me to like a post for one reason or another, would I?”

I think that the answer is…yes.

So, if you are self-employed, manage your company’s social media campaigns, or are just a social media enthusiast…try this theory. Test it out. Don’t be coy, be direct. Let us know how it goes!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend…

2012-05-24T21:15:01Z

We are approaching the Memorial Day Weekend, the holiday in the US that celebrates our veterans who serve in the military. During earlier war times, men were the veterans that were most remembered but today women make up a good portion of the military and deserve to be celebrated as well.

Many women are both mothers, wives, and daughters and perform vital duties that help keep America free. Men who are fathers, husbands, and sons also should be celebrated and both genders deserve our prayers and gratitude.

So on this holiday weekend as we celebrate with family and friends over grills, pools, and picnic tables piled high with both healthy and not so healthy foods may we remember why we celebrate this holiday. Take time this weekend to explain the purpose of the holiday to your children and include some history. It is a great time to remember the battles fought here in America including the Civil War and the wars that most cannot forget including WWI, WWII, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and of course Iraq.

God Bless America and Thank you to the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom. We appreciate what you do for us and the sacrifice you make to be a part of our Military.

Be safe, Be healthy, Be grateful, and Celebrate

GOP- Your Sexism is Showing

2012-05-24T22:06:14Z

As the battle for Wisconsin rages on, some interesting developments have come to light. For example, the Wisconsin state senate leader, Scott Fiztgerald, is up for what looks more and more like a real contest with a newcomer- Lori Compas. Nobody thought that Compas had much of a chance. But recently, her poll numbers have been rising.

So what explanation can Fitzgerald come up with for why he is losing ground to this political newcomer? Could it be his support of blatantly anti-woman policies over the last few years? Could it be his support of a governor who is more concerned with his own interests than the needs of the people of Wisconsin? Could it be that his opponent is a charismatic and savvy up-and-comer who is in touch with the interests of the people of Wisconsin?

No. Just ask Fitzgerald. The only reason that she is doing so well is that her husband must be in charge of her campaign.

That’s right, a woman can’t run her own political organization. She can’t come up with her own ideas. She can only be, as Fitzgerald described her, a “Pollyanna.”

Good job, establishment GOP. You have firmly placed yourself and your ideologies where they belong. In the past.

Homeschool Activity:Make A Map

2012-05-24T14:55:02Z

Here’s a simple geography lesson for you child; have them make a map. The map can be of anything you want. They can make a map of the countries you are currently studying, a map of the state they live in, a map of the the place they want to visit. It is up to you.For really small children making a map of their neighborhood or city can help them learn about their area. Children are visual learners so when they draw out their map they are retaining more information. They will also be proud of their work. Another great map activity is to build a 3D map out of clay together. How about doing a map puzzle together?

We got some really large sheets of butcher paper and my children made maps of the United States, Mexico, and the World. We hung these maps on the wall and they are the ones that we use each year. I attach string to thumbtacks while we learn about a particular region or area. We attach pictures to the sides depending on where we have been and what we are learning. Try it with your children and see where it leads.

How Age Factors into Your Investing Risk Tolerance

2012-05-24T12:00:07Z

There are a few factors that can contribute to your overall risk tolerance level. A major one is age, and in turn, your proximity to retirement.

If you are younger, you can afford to be a little more adventurous in your investing, because time is on your side. In fact, it is encouraged that you diversify and invest in some higher risk/higher return stocks.

However, as you edge closer to retirement, it is recommended that you gradually adjust your risk level. The reason for this is simple—if you are closer to retirement, you do not have as much time to recover from a potential downturn.

Because the markets are volatile, those who are younger in age can spend their lifetime weathering the storms as they accumulate wealth over time. Those closer to retirement will want to taper their investments in more volatile stocks and to instead focus on nurturing the earnings that they have gathered over time.

Risk tolerance may also go down with age. Think about the difference between a new driver in his late teens and an experienced driver who is a senior citizen—who tends to drive more carefully? Normally the senior citizen will be more conservative in their driving habits, often even overly cautious.

This modification in driving according to age and declining ability is comparable to what can happen with older investors—they become a little less willing to “test the limits.” Similarly, an older driver who does get into an auto accident has less of a chance to survive and recover, as does an older investor who sustains a significant investment loss.

However, there are other variables that can also determine risk tolerance even later in life, including the person’s general attitude towards risk and the amount of available assets. Due to our modern extended life span, investing does not end near or at retirement—it just gets modified accordingly.

The Double Standard for Pregnant Women’s Rights

2012-05-23T11:24:23Z

Last week, Bei Bei Shuai was finally released on bail. She has spent well over a year in jail for fetal homicide. Her crime, in reality, was attempted suicide while pregnant.

After being brought to the hospital and revived, she agreed to every measure suggested to save the life of the baby- who was delivered prematurely. However, her daughter died. And Bei Bei Shuai has been in jail ever since.

This has taken place in Indiana, where attempted suicide is not a crime.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, police officers are getting away with assaulting pregnant women. That’s right. A cop in Georgia named Jarod Wheeler responded to a domestic violence call. In the course of his response, he tazed a man. When that man’s sister, nine month pregnant Raven Dozier, shouted to stop, he kicked her full on in the stomach. Her son was born prematurely thereafter, but had no health complications as a result.

So why are the courts punishing women with mental illnesses who commit no crimes by incarcerating them for a year, but not lifting a finger to stop police officers from assaulting pregnant women?

Because there is a double standard in this country. Because a pregnant woman is a second class citizen.

Because all women are becoming second class citizens.

Home Idea: Repurpose an Old Dresser

2012-05-23T14:45:10Z

Do you have an old dresser that’s looking a little worse for wear? Don’t toss it in the garbage, repurpose it! The best way to redo a dresser is to pull out the drawers, take out those rails that the drawers run on. Next you want to sand (if needed) and paint it in a fresh color. Paint inside where the drawers used to be as well or even put some great contact paper in there.

Now you have a great shelf or buffet! You can add some baskets on the shelves and use it to store toys, movies, or even books. What to do with those drawers that you pulled out? Repurpose those as well. Clean them up, paint them,and then use them and storage for under you bed. I have a set under my bed that I attached some inexpensive wheels to the bottoms of . This way they side in and out very easily and make finding those shoes a breeze.

This same method can be used for one of those small two drawers dressers. I left the to drawer in and now use it as a nightstand . There is no reason to go and spend a ton of money when you can get an old dresser at a garage sale and make it over into something new.

Just Call Me a Coward

2012-05-23T12:00:26Z

In the last post, we talked about determining your risk tolerance, and I provided a link that offered an interesting recording and quiz on the subject. Although I already kind of knew what my investing risk tolerance was, I took the quiz myself to find out. Here is what I got:

My risk tolerance quiz results tells me essentially that I am a coward.

The quiz confirmed what I already knew—that I am not very adventurous in regards to investing. I have never been a gambler, and to me, investing sometimes feels an awful lot like gambling.

When I signed up for a 401K (retirement savings account) at a previous employer, we went through an informational session that actually gave me a lot to remember. Rather than just essentially sign up for a glorified savings account, I did add in some low-risk mutual funds that I handpicked. However, when the economy tanked, and I lost at least half of the small amount that I had, I got out.

If you have a low tolerance for risk, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that I will probably never be at risk of becoming a compulsive gambler.

The bad news, as I learned when I signed up for my 401K, is that just having savings over a lifetime will produce an unsustainable retirement. Using an exponential example, the presenter explained how you would have to have millions of dollars saved up in order to maintain a decent existence when you reach retirement. This sounds dramatic, but the numbers speak for themselves, and the problem primarily is due to inflation over time. You need a high rate of investment return to meet the demands of tomorrow’s higher costs as a result of inflation over time.

Due to my age in particular, I can stand a little risk if it means an improved long-term result. Clearly ‘diversification’ is the word that I need to remember.

What type of investor are you? Feel free to comment below and share your outlook.

Tips for Decreasing the Blues

2012-05-23T02:36:44Z

Depression is a serious emotional condition that many women ignore or overlook. Feeling blue once in a while is a natural occurrence and may be related to stress, grief, or hormone changes during the month but having your period is not the only reason women may feel down.

Women today have more responsibilities and more stresses then any other time. The economy may contribute to depression as does being a single parent, additional health problems, family dysfunction, marital problems, aging family members with health issues, pain, money issues, and any number of crisis that a woman must deal with daily. A family history of mental illness and depression may increase the risk even more. Here are a few tips to help you determine if you need further medical assistance with your blues.

If your feelings of sadness and depression last more than 2 weeks, consider seeking outside medical assistance.

If you cry easily for no apparent reason, are having trouble making decisions, or are missing days of work due to feeling down, seek a complete physical and discuss these symptoms with your doctor.

If you cannot take care of activities of daily living like brushing your teeth, washing your hair, puting on clean clothing for more than a day or two, seek the advice of a physician.

If you are experiencing depression and sadness without a stressor or cause that you can identify, seek a medical opinion. Other medical conditions including Thyroid problems and Diabetes can cause changes in mood.

And if you are relying on alcohol, drugs, or other substances to get you through your day or you have feelings of suicide or worthlessness you may need professional help. Seek a physician or healthcare provider that is experienced in dealing with depression and discuss your feelings. There are p0sitive ways to start feeling better and there is no better time than now. Your health is the most important part of your life so take care of your mental health as well as your physical symptoms.

Determining Your Investing Risk Tolerance

2012-05-22T12:00:27Z

If you are new to investing, one of the first steps that you should take is to determine your risk tolerance. Simply put, are you a gambler or a play-it-safe? If you have been to Las Vegas before and have had no problem risking your concrete money for potential reward, then you may also prove to be an aggressive investor.

I recently came across a helpful webcast sound recording and quiz about this very subject. The recording is about 4.5 minutes long, and covers the subject of risk tolerance. Upon taking the quiz, it should help to determine your tolerance for risk and in turn how it affects your investment style.

Financial Straight Talk Tolerance Quiz

Some factors that can determine your risk tolerance (as discussed in the webcast) are age/proximity to retirement, personality, and economic state. We can discuss these factors in more detail at a later point. But you can be sure that they definitely can play into the answers that you provide for the quiz, whether you realize it or not.

Why don’t you take some time today to listen to the recording and take the quiz for yourself? I will share my results next time.

Missouri’s Takes the War on Women to… the Government?

2012-05-22T11:14:51Z

As more and more women are becoming enraged and motivated by attempts by the GOP to curtail their rights, more and more women are getting involved in politics. They are running for office all over the country, in the hopes that by being part of the solution they can stop the spread of the problem.

The GOP are on to us, ladies.

This month in Missouri, the state legislature passed a bill that is aimed to shut down the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of St. Louis. This program trains women to enter the public sector, and it is decidedly non-partisan. However, politics being what they are, the women who go through the program are quite simply more likely to support Democratic policies and agendas. You know, policies that protect them.

Or, as the local Republicans put it, the Sue Shear Institute, “churns out liberal trainees for Democrats.”

Even if that were true, shutting down an academic program simply because you disagree with the majority of its graduates is… well… un-American.

So in present day America, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. But if you’re in Missouri, if they try to join you… cut off their education access.

That won’t backfire at all.

The Great Feeding Debate

2012-05-22T14:23:03Z

There is a huge debate that goes on between mothers everyday; to breast feed or bottle feed? Which you choose is of curse up to you but both sides make compelling arguments. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I thought I would share some information with you and let you decide which is an advantage and which isn’t.

Breast Feeding:

Contains high levels of nutrients ,Easily digested and absorbed
Infant determines amount
Free to use and always on hand
No preparation time

Nursing pads, nursing bras, etc.
Breast pump (optional)
Mother must be available for feeding or to provide pumped milk if she is absent And she must pump if feeding is missed

Bottle Feeding:

Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk
Nutritional content depends on proper preparation
Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on brand
Anyone can feed the baby
Preparation time varies
Baby may not tolerate formula well
Bottles, nipples, etc.

Costs
Perfect balance of nutrients	Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk
	Contains high levels of nutrients	Nutritional content depends on proper preparation
	Easily digested and absorbed	Some babies have difficulty tolerating certain nutrients
	Content varies according to milk production stage, which meets the changing nutritional requirements	Pediatrician/care-giver determines amount
	Infant determines amount
	Free	Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on brand
	Nursing pads, nursing bras, etc.	Bottles, nipples, etc.
	Breast pump (optional)
Advantages
	Always the perfect temperature	Anyone can feed the baby
	No preparation time
	Milk is readily available at any time and any place
Disadvantages
	Mother must be available for feeding or to provide pumped milk if she is absent	Warming formula
	Mother must pump if feeding is missed	Preparation time varies
	Early breastfeeding may be uncomfortable	Baby may not tolerate formula well
	Certain medication

Careers for Women Who Want MORE Out of Life {Part 2}

2012-05-22T02:23:35Z

Last week I was discussing this article by More.com titled 10 Great Careers for Women Who Want a Life. The article is based off on survey results that polled women and asked their opinions on jobs that pay well, and allow women to “have a career AND a life”.

I was so interested in the results., and it really got me thinking…can ANY career be a career for women who “want more out of life”?

Is there more to just the career itself? What about the employer, the arrangements, the benefits, the perks?

…or what about the employee herself?

I like to think that any career can be for women who want more out of life. I think it all is in YOUR perspective. After all – we all want different things out of life. I know, this article was touching on a lot of universal points – careers that have flexibility, careers that have opportunities for advancement, careers that pay well – and that is all well and valid.

I know someone who recently took a significant pay cut because she was offered a job that allowed her to work from home. As a mother, that flexibility was worth more to her than anything. I also know someone who recently left her place of employment to pursue a new position that offered a little less in terms of pay, but the company offered a lot of room for advancement, as well as tuition-reimbursement plans and a lot of opportunity for paid employee learning. She recognized that it was a great opportunity for her to learn and grow both personally and professionally.

So my friends, I urge you to consider what is most important to YOU when considering jobs and careers. To each his own!

Yesterday’s Health News is Different Today

2012-05-22T02:36:26Z

It can be rather daunting to keep up with all the health news and tips that each of us needs to maintain our bodies and our minds. Yesterday BMI was the best way to determine your ideal weight and your risk for heart disease and today it is the ratio of weight to height. Really….? How do we keep fit if it all changes before our very eyes?

The trick is to keep a healthy routine and to do everything in moderation. Your diet must be balanced and sweets should be consumed in moderation. Alcohol, pain medications, exercise, sleep, candy treats…. all in moderation. If you want a beer have one beer. If you have a headache or back pain take a pain pill and not the whole bottle and not with alcohol. You get the idea. And if you need a sugary treat, have one not ten.

Our bodies need food for fuel, our minds need exercise as do our bodies, and our emotional health may need that candy bar once in a while, BUT in moderation. Make sure that when you feed your tummy that you are not mistaking that need for a sweet or a drink or a pill for a deep emotional issue that is not being tended.

Physical well being means a healthy weight, a healthy diet, a regular exercise routine or activity, and a healthy way to cope with the stress of life. Maintaining this balance will help to lower your risk for hypertension and heart disease, diabetes and depression. What do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle in this changing world? Leave a comment and share your tips.

Homeschool: What Your 1st Grader Should Know

2012-05-21T14:20:20Z

To be able to tell if your first grader is ready to advance to the next grade there are a few things they need to know. There are four basic subjects that your first grader should have a grasp of: Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Many parents teach other subjects but these are the basic requirements. Here are a 5 basic guidelines for each subject:

Math
1. Add and subtract up to the number 25
2. Understand what estimate means and be able to estimate simple numbers.
3. Identify quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies and begin to be able to add them in combinations up to $.25.
4. Able to tell time by hour and half hour.
5. Read and understand a ruler.
Language Arts
1. Learn phonics blends such as br, sl, and ch.
2. Recognize and be able to write sight words. At least 5-10 per week.
3. Able to read 1st grade readers .
4. Comprehend a story.
5. Able to label a story as to which comes first, second, and third.
Science
1. Understand the steps of investigation.
2. Understand some scientific terminology such as hypothesis and observation.
3. Identify the three principals of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
4. Understand the concept of motion.
5. Identify living and nonliving thing.
Social Studies
1. Recognize the United States on a map.
2. Recognize their state on a map.
3. Able to tell what makes a good citizen of a community.
4. Discuss other cultures and compare them to your own.
5. Discuss the concept of a family and create a family tree.

What’s the State of Your Social Security?

2012-05-21T12:00:34Z

For years, I received those statements from the Social Security Administration that said how much that I had paid into the system and how much my payout would be depending on certain variables. Seeing that I was many years away from retirement, I never knew why they sent those statements out or what to do with them, so I normally just filed them away.

I have not received one of those statements for awhile, so I was surprised to find out recently that the Social Security Administration is no longer sending them out. I guess it is a sign of the times as far as technology and budget crunches, but now that information is available online instead.

Everyone can create a “my Social Security” account at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement/. Once you register, you can have access to the same information that was previously available in the mailed statements.

This new setup may present a problem to those that are not Internet-savvy or do not have regular access to a computer or the Internet. But the good news is that statements will still be received by those 60 and up who are closer to retirement age and not already receiving benefits.

For more information on this money-saving action taken by the Social Security Administration, you may want to check out this article U.S. News & World Report: Social Security Statements Now Available Online.

Have you already registered for your SSA online account? What has been your experience so far? Feel free to comment and let us know what you think about the new reporting system.

In Kansas, Your Fetus Gets Better Healthcare than You

2012-05-21T12:10:57Z

Last week, Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas signed into law a bill that severely limits women’s access to reproductive care.

Now, pharmacists can legally refuse to fill any prescription they think might be used to induce abortion. That includes the morning after pill, birth control, and any number of other drugs that theoretically could be bad for an embryo.

But it gets worse.

Doctors don’t have to hep you get your medication, and they can refuse you treatment if it might risk the “life” of the embryo or fetus. Including chemotherapy.

That’s right. If you’re pregnant and have cancer, and you make the choice that your survival at that time is more important than the survival of your unborn child, you might be out of luck. Doctors in Kansas are making that choice for you. You just go ahead and let those tumors grow and spread, and of course once the baby is out- possibly nine months later- if there’s still a chance that you could make it… THEN maybe you should start up that chemo.

This is particularly insidious because early detection and treatment of cancer is frequently the difference between life and death.

So in the attempt to protect “life,” Kansas lawmakers are blatantly disregarding the lives of the women in their state.

Good job, Kansas. I’m sure everyone in the state feels much better about their healthcare now.