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EPnews -- from The Entrepreneurial Parent
a work-family resource for home-based entrepreneurs
@ http://www.en-parent.com
September 13, 2000
Lisa Roberts, Editor:
epideas@en-parent.com
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
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_______________CONTENTS_______________
The Funny Things EP Kids Say
& Do
EP of the Month -- Sara Lewis, KinderStart.com
EP Times -- "A Room of One's Own"
EP Q&A -- A New Move
What's Happening at EP -- "The Entrepreneurial Parent"
Book Project
_________________________________________
Editorial Note: EPnews is distributed
the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every
month, except during the summer. The Entrepreneurial Parent web
site is
updated on an ongoing basis throughout each month (en-parent.com).
Welcome
all new subscribers!
___________________________________
THE FUNNY THINGS EP KIDS SAY & DO!
=====
Submitted by EPnews Subscriber, Dianna Huff of DH Communications,
Inc.,
(mailto:dhuff@dhcommunications.com):
My son is almost three so I'm
now trying to explain to him what mommy does
for a living. I tell him I write stories since he understands
what stories
are. I tell him I visit customers, esp. since he's met a couple
of vendors I
work with. So the other morning, as I was getting him dressed
to go to his
morning daycare, he started yelling, "No Mom! No Laurie's
(daycare provider).
I want to visit customers with you!"
Still chuckling....
=====
Why work at home? So you can hear the funny things your EP Kids
say
throughout the day. Share with the EP Community something your
child said or
did recently that made you smirk, giggle, or LOL. Send your submission
via
e-mail to:epideas@en-parent.com.
And if you need a stockpile of
smiles to get you through your EP day, pick up
your own heartwarming copy of Grace Housholder's "The Funny
Things Kids Say."
On those stressed-out EP days, you'll be glad you did!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0963871536/theentrepreneuri
___________________________________
EP OF THE MONTH
Sara Lewis
http://en-parent.com/Profiles/Lewis.htm
Every month we highlight the
achievements of one of our newly registered
members by selecting them as our "EP of the Month."
As we review our new
member forms, we take a look at business names, niche markets,
special PR or
advertising techniques, innovative products or services, and
other types of
unique business practices.
This month we chose Sara Lewis,
EP to 1 child, age 4, and another due in
October. Her company, KinderStart.com, is an all-inclusive search
engine for
information about adoption, child development, health, community,
parenting,
learning activites, pregnancy, birth and the wide range of issues
related to
children seven years and under. We love her tag line, "Because
Kids Don't
Come With Instructions!" and the kid-friendly tone of her
site. We're very
pleased to have Sara as a new member of our EP Community.
<begin round of applause>
Please welcome Sara Lewis by
viewing her Profile Page at:
http://en-parent.com/Profiles/Lewis.htm
and/or sending her a welcome
message at:
mailto:editor@kinderstart.com
</end round of applause>
To All -- Please Note: We now
hand out an "award" graphic to our EPs of the
Month, which can be prominently displayed on the winner's home
page or "press
room" page. We also continue to offer our selected EPs a
FREE Profile Page at
the EP Showcase and a photo link from our home page all month.
So please
spread the word among your friends, colleagues and email loops
-- invite the
EPs in your life to join en-parent.com as a registered member,
and let's
build the EP Community together!
__________________________________
EP TIMES -- AN EDITORIAL
"A Room of One's Own"
© 2000, Lisa M. Roberts
Funny the things we put up with
when we're pressed for time. Our family moved
into our current house nearly four years ago, but it wasn't until
this summer
that my husband and I delivered on a long-awaited promise to
move our
children into a room all "their" own (meaning they
have a say in the d©cor).
With the marathan-pace it took to get three rooms packed, cleaned,
prepped,
painted, wall-papered and moved-back-in in one week's worth of
vacation time,
I do understand why we waited so long. But after each child was
set-up in
his/her own space -- well-organized and prepared for the new
school year
ahead -- I took a second look at the room I call *my* own. And
I cringed.
I'm talking of course about my
home office -- the room where I spend more
waking hours than any other in the house. Forget the bedroom,Ķthat's
where I
sleep. It's in the office where I work, live and play.
I have to admit I can't complain
about the square footage; I'm lucky enough
to have a dedicated office space that I share with my husband
Ron, with
built-in bookshelves and cabinets, three windows and a heavy
door that can
shut tight. But while Ron took the time (and had the talent)
when we first
moved in to create a custom-made desk, complete with shelves
atop of his work
space and a small additional credenza next to it, my side of
the room
was....well...lacking.
Each morning, I've been rolling
up my sleeves and taking on the day's work at
a 30-year old, chipped, bent desk that was discarded years ago
and left on
the street, headed for the dump. I don't remember now whether
it was my
husband or my father who picked up the rubbage when they spotted
it (both
have been known to "street shop") but somehow that
desk made its way to my
side of the office. Focused on my work*load,* I honestly have
barely noticed
what I've been working on. With a 59"-long desktop, a small
drawer for small
supplies and a larger drawer for files, the desk always seemed
just fine to
me.
Until we did our kids' rooms,
that is.
Funny, the things we don't realize
we're missing until we see someone else
get it. In this case, watching my kids' eyes light up when they
picked out
their wallpapers or hearing their conversation liven up when
they chatted
about what furniture they were going to put where reminded me
of something I
had long forgotten. People, of all ages and circumstance, really
do thrive
when they get a "room of one's own."
It pleased me to no end to watch
the children "wear" their rooms with pride,
gaining a stronger sense of self with each gesture they made
to make that
room theirs. I watched, for instance, as Jessica, my 13-year
old, flipped
through the wallpaper border book with cautionary enthusiasm.
Laser-focused
on the color of the room above and beyond all else, she wound
up with a
glow-in-the-dark footprint motif that was blue, purple and white.
Safe, clean
and a littled daring (i.e. the "glow") -- just her
pace. William, my 10-year
old, at first dragged with the melancholy thought of breaking
from his
brothers for the first time to his own room. But his spirit sparked
into
action when I offered him the option of choosing a wall mural
instead of a
simple border. He poured over the mural book and came back again
and again to
one picture, called "Earthrise." It's a huge picture
(takes up an entire
wall) of the Earth "rising," taken apparently from
the moon. "When I jump on
my bed I want to feel like I'm jumping on the moon!" he
explained. Balanced
by an old conventional bedroom set and plain, cream-colored paint
on the
other three walls, the mural stands alone, intriguing and quite
dramatic. My
William, to be sure. As for Jimmy, 7, and Thomas, 4, who shared
a room, their
selection of wallpaper was simple -- Thomas found something he
liked in every
book they saw but Jimmy wasn't satisfied with anything...until
he spotted a
dynamic, colorful border called "Extreme Sports." (Pictures
of teenagers
skateboarding, parachuting and boating on the edge was the only
image that
met my devil-dare son's expectations.)
And so they each moved in. And
no question, getting them there was a
cathargic process for me. Aside from learning a little bit more
about what
sparked their imaginations, it forced me to go through each and
every item
tossed into their closets, drawers and under their beds, and
take a close
look at not only the item in my hands but the habit that put
it there. It
compelled me to organize their new space with forethought, not
hindsight. And
when all was said and done and back in place, it was my turn.
The room that I'm most myself
in is clearly the office, and it was a disaster
area. All those built-in shelves were filled with books and the
cabinets were
busting with mailing, paper and other office supplies. In addition,
I was
swamped with deadlines and ongoing projects that generated piles
of paper
that I've been afraid to file away for fear of the "out
of sight, out of
mind" syndrome.
So...after years and years of
putting up with an old, worn, outdated desk,
two weeks ago I finally took the plunge. I ordered a large, "L"-shaped
desk
with a riser and bookcases that give me 16 separate shelving
spaces where I
can compartmentalize my ongoing projects and paperwork. It all
arrived a week
early and I was thrilled. All this week I've been sorting through
all my
office what-not -- each piece of paper, letter, folder, magazine,
clipped
article -- and either found a new place for each or tossed the
waste away.
Today was the first day I've settled back in to work, and it
is, in a word,
lovely.
"I am so glad you got yourself
that new desk," said Ron, whose room -- a
music studio in the basement -- is our very next, and hopefully
last, major
home improvement project. Ron spent two nights earlier this week
assembling
my desk (bought from lizell.com),
which arrived in 12 separate boxes with 12
separate instruction sheets and hardware packages. (Sigh.) "I've
been feeling
guilty about your desk for years," he finally admitted.
Funny, I had no idea he felt
that way. Funny, the things we put up with...
=====
Lisa Roberts is the mother of four, Web Producer of The Entrepreneurial
Parent and author of "How to Raise A Family & A Career
Under One Roof: A
Parent's Guide to Home Business" (Bookhaven Press, 1997).
"EP Times" is a
continuation of the "Home Business Diary" essays originally
created for her
book, which is available for purchase at:
http://en-parent.com/order.htm
and through Amazon, at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0943641179/theentrepreneuri
____________________________________
EP Q&As
Have a question? Our EP Expert
Panel is available to all EPnews Subscribers.
Visit them at http://en-parent.com/experts.com
(follow the "Q&A" links). If
your question isn't answered there, then send it to: experts@en-parent.com.
They'll be glad to help you out if they can!
NOTE: For space reasons, this
is an abbreviated version of Jodie's Q&A. For
the full response, please go to:
<http://en-parent.com/Experts/exp-lynn-QandA.htm>
Q. Hello Jodi -- I am trying
to keep my home business thriving while
preparing my house to be sold, taking care of two kids, three
dogs, etc.
etc.... Can I be everything to everyone -- and a good parent
on top of it
all? My husband is out of town three days a week now so I have
lost a huge
amount of help. What's the best way of making sure the kids don't
feel the
frustration and stress of this dilemma? Please answer soon...
I want off this
roller coaster!
K.B.
Amazingmoms.com
A. Hello K.B. -- It appears you
have your hands full. For the time being, it
might be in the best interest of the family to "reach out
and touch someone."
Call your friends and neighbors (including any relatives) to
come over and
help watch the children or take them out -- while you roll up
your sleeves
and get some "stuff" done. Here are a few other helpful
pointers:
1. For emotional, mental and
physical health reasons, begin an exercise
program today. Get up early and get it done the very first thing
each
morning. If you have not been in a fitness program up to this
point, begin
with stretching and flexing your muscles and going for a walk.
This will not
only help you cope better -- but will help other family members
as well.
When your body is in shape -- your mind is in shape thus creating
more energy
AND it makes you feel better about yourself! This can only lead
to a more
positive attitude for everyone.
2. Plan your time. Plan your
time to do the most focused tasks while the
kids are being entertained by someone else or are asleep. For
example, don't
try to complete thought provoking writing assignments or business
calls when
you know the kids could come in at any moment and break your
train of
thought. Concentration is of utmost importance in accomplishing
goals while
presenting a professional image.
3. Make a to do list and prioritize
topics. People are so busy in today's
society, we all feel overwhelmed in general. By adding moving
to the picture
of surprises, it can really get sticky. For this reason, I tell
individuals
to write down every little thing. "Little" things
still take time and earn
the right to be written down so they too can be marked through.
Looking at
such a long list will compel you to feel weary -- but it's the
mark-outs on
the piece of paper that will help you to feel better. Prioritize
topics by
what is important to you as a parent and as a business owner.
For example: if
you have been putting in long hours at work, plan to take an
extra few
minutes the next day to stop and smell the flowers with your
kids.
Think this job is tough? Wait until you get to where you're
going. It's a
whole new set of challenges. Here are a few golden rules I've
put together
(as I know for sure I'm the world's most moved Mommy)! And,
they really work.
New Communities
First of all remember that moving is very time consuming and
your patience
will be tested. Everything will be new, and for many it's exhausting!
Don't
try to do everything at once! I once lost my mind trying this
stunt -- I
later found it behind the diapers in row 6 at Walmart!
~ First on your list should be
to go and meet your closest neighbors. Don't
wait for them to come over. Ask if there's a neighborhood phone
directory and
find out where you can get one. Look for children's birth dates
-- call the
homes where the children's ages are close to your own kids'.
Ask for
recommendations on babysitters. Ask how their children like the
sitters. This
will lead to many a good relationship. Most families are very
willing to
help. (They were once a new family in a new area.)
~ Call local paper for information
on parenting organizations. Go visit all
that are of interest to you -- and some that are not. If you
stick to those
that are only in your area of most interest, you could be missing
out on some
wonderful relationships.
~ Contact the local Welcome Wagon.
There's one in almost every town. They
will lead to The Newcomers Club, which has more hobbies and mommy
groups than
you will know what to do with.
~ Visit churches. Many churches
now offer parenting and play groups that are
embraced by the whole community, not just members.
~ Go for a family walk. In the
evening after dinner is a good time. This is
usually when the Dads are available to chat as well. Keep a pen
and paper
ready in the stroller or in your pocket to write down your new
phone number
and names of your family -- and get their names and numbers,
too!
~ Last but far from least, don't
forget to do some things for yourself. Ask
other moms where they go for exercise, hair salon, clothes, books,
make-up,
restaurant, doctors, resale shops, house goods, etc.
Good luck and smile. It'll all
work out!
====Jodie Lynn is our "EP
Parenting Expert," a freelance writer and nationally syndicated
parenting columnist of Parent to Parent. Her new book, "Mommy
- CEO (Constantly Evaluating Others) 5 Golden Rules, helps folks
in all areas of life's little changes and everyday parenting
challenges. See www.parenttoparent.com
for details.
__________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT EP
---> Book Project with Paul
& Sarah Edwards
We're pleased to announce that
the "National Survey of Entrepreneurial Parents," which
will be used to conduct research for our forthcoming book entitled,
"The Entrepreneurial Parent: How to Earn Your Living in
the Internet Age and Still Enjoy Your Family, Your Life and Your
Work," is currently being co-sponsored by four leaders of
the online freelance marketplace:
Aquent (www.aquent.com)
Monster Talent Market (www.talentmarket.monster.com)
Ants (www.ants.com)
MBA Free Agents (www.mbafreeagents.com)
Each of the above sites will
be hosting the survey and encouraging their members to participate.
Meantime, have YOU filled in your survey yet?! If not, please
make sure you do soon! As the "original" EP Community,
this is your chance to help develop a book written just for you
-- the way you live, work, propser and care for your families.
FYI, surveys have been pouring
in today as our Co-Sponsors start their publicity. Some excellent
responses have already come in, I can't wait for you to see them
all (!!) Meantime, for more about "The Entrepreneurial Parent"
book and to fill out our survey, go to:
http://en-parent.com/survey.htm
Thank you!
_____________________________
CONTACT/SUBSCRIPTION INFO
The Entrepreneurial Parent, LLC
is not engaged in rendering legal or
financial advice. If expert assistance is required, the services
of a
licensed professional should be sought.
This newsletter may be redistributed
freely via the Internet. Re-publishing
of separate articles for your print publication needs approval
first; write
to: Roberts@en-parent.com
for permission.
© 2000, The Entrepreneurial
Parent, LLC
Editor: Lisa M. Roberts
POB 320722, Fairfield, CT 06432; http://en-parent.com
Ph/Fax: (203) 371-6212, Email: office@en-parent.com
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