Checklist for Keeping Your Child Safe

Child safety is on every parent’s mind these days. The Casey Anthony case and the story of the Brooklyn boy who went missing and was found brutally murdered have parents hugging their children a little tighter at night.

Protecting children is a huge worry for a large number of parents, but it is important to remember that there are even dangers in your own home. For example, did you know that in the USA approximately 1 in 3 homes with children have guns? If you have a gun at home, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is aware of some essential rules and safety requirements surrounding firearms. To learn more about teaching your child basic gun safety, you might want to read this article.

Dangers in the home to one side, would you know what to do if your child disappeared? I come from a family of police officers — so when I was a kid knowing what to do in an emergency was second nature to us. But for those of you without a cop for a father…here’s a little insight from another former police officer and author, Carole Moore.

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Their Child

by Carole Moore

It’s almost impossible to understate the role time plays when a child goes missing. Could you instantly provide police with everything they need to look for your child if he or she disappeared? If you’re like most people, the answer is no.

The U.S. Department of Justice says that in an average year about 800,000 children are reported missing. The good news is that the vast majority of them turn up alive and safe. Your best strategy is to be prepared, even if the odds are on your side.

Here’s what experts say you should have at a minimum to be prepared for the unthinkable: Read more

I Wrote an Ebook for Busy Moms

I’m thrilled to announce that I wrote an ebook called “Top 10 Lists Every Mom Needs“!

I designed the lists for Enough Time Moms, which is a new site dedicated to helping busy moms save time and money, while being more productive.

Some of the lists include: Ways to Save Time in the Morning, The Best Free Apps for Moms,  and A List of Healthy Snacks to take on trips. Although the ebook is geared towards moms — any busy person can benefit from most of the lists.

Please check out the Enough Time Moms Facebook page and sign up for their newsletter to download the ebook.

I’d love to hear what you think!

Never Go Clothes Shopping Without A List

How many times have you stared into your closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear!”? It used to happen to me quite often but then I figured out a system for stocking it. You guessed it — a list! Everybody seems to think that clothes shopping is an incredibly difficult task, but does it really need to be? You may have heard of a service called Stitch Fix that helps you gain some new wardrobe options based purely off your own style choices. If this idea interests you, you can find more info out about Stitch Fix by having a look at a review for the service.

I was fortunate to share this secret with the readers of Bneato.com — thanks to Beth Zeigler, the site’s founder. It’s a wonderful site with tips for organizing just about anything. Check out my guest post “Clothes Shopping With A List.”

Keeping a Book List

I’m completely obsessed with “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett for two reasons:

1. It’s a great story set in 1960s Mississippi about the lines drawn between white women and their “colored” maids. I’ve been reading it since our trip to Miami and I’ve been hooked ever since. I read walking down the street, in elevators, on the subway — you name it!  I savored the last 15 pages because I didn’t want it to be over.

2. I love Kathryn’s story – she was turned down 60 times before selling this book! I mean – at that point..some people would have said “enough.” But I’m so glad she didn’t. What a great lesson in perseverance.

I always have an on-going reading list. I’m lucky enough to work with a bunch of readers so we swap books often. I also have a Kindle and an iPad but I must say – it’s just not the same for me. I haven’t gotten used to not holding a book. Although—those electronic devices are much easier to carry on the subway! Read more

Must-Have Pregnancy Clothing List

It must be pregnancy season or something — I know a whole bunch of ladies having babies lately!  Some women use this time as an excuse to “let it all hang out.” Well, my friends – it is not. You should take pride in your look at every point in your life. I know that this can be hard, as sometimes things happen that you have no control over so you don’t always want to wear your best.

Maternity clothes can be expensive but there are tricks for stretching your existing wardrobe and cost-effective ways to add to it. Marisa Moss, founder of MineForNine.com, gave me these secrets to share with all of you.

Save yourself a lot of time and stress by “editing” your closet ASAP in your first trimester.

1. Neatly fold and store all the pants without any stretch

2. Put all the dresses you already have to “suck-in” to wear in the back of the closet

3. Hide all your tailored tops Read more