It's Friday - Time For Laughs!

30 Minutes For Us On Mother's Day!

The ideal day for us on Mother's Day is to wake up to breakfast in bed with a card, to then to be spoiled and treated like royalty because after all, if we weren't here neither would anyone else! But how does this day typically turn out? We wake up make breakfast, treat everyone else like royalty because if we weren't here nothing would get done! Well it is our day - it's on the calendar so it has to be important. If no one else is going to give us our just desserts (mmm, dessert) then we shall take it ourselves! If you got 30 minutes to have time for yourself, here are 10 things that you can do to celebrate your day.

1. Get a manicure. 

There is nothing like having someone else tend to your needs so go get your hands soaked, rubbed an nailed painted. It's about time for their 30 mile tune up anyway. 

2. Get a pedicure.

After walking all day pushing a stroller, chasing kids, going up and down stairs our feet need some attention too. Take some time to relax your sole, no pun intended.

3. Take a loooong shower

Who really has time to take a bath these days? By the time your finish cleaning the tub, filling it with water and putting in all the pretty bath beads the baby will have to be changed, time to start dinner, or you'll just fall asleep from exhaustion of preparing the bath. A nice long and how shower still manages to be effective and there are great shower gels to make it feel spa-like.

For a really relaxing shower try out the Twilight Woods line from Bath & Body Work (left)

4. Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers

You don't have to go big or order a box of flowers, go to your local grocery or corner store and purchase a nice bundle of flowers. A little color and spring scents will bring great atmosphere and life to your home and to yourself!

5. Have a glass of wine.

Sometimes it's not about the fancy cocktail or the martini glass, sometimes it's nice just to relax with a nice bottle of wine. Though you might want to buy your bottle on Saturday since many stores close early on Sundays. Just a thought!

6. Grab a mom and get some lunch.

It can either be your mom or a mom friend but treat yourself to a nice relaxing lunch with some good food and conversation. Why not even go to a byob and do option 5 too?

 

7. Get your eyebrows done. 

There is nothing that brightens your face faster than cleaned up eyebrows. Whether you are into waxing, plucking or threading, having your eyebrows done is not only quick but generally inexpensive.

8. Go shoe shopping.

 With summer approaching there are some great shoe specials that are starting to take place. Take your half hour and go and find a nice pair of shoes to wear on your day!

9. Get your hair washed. 

No need for a fancy haircut and style. Simply get your scalp massaged, your hair washed and blow dried and come out feeling refreshed and enjoy the rest of your day.

10. Sleep!

It's Sunday! You had a long week and now it's your day. Sleep in for an extra half hour, take a nap later in the day, take a nap while having a bath (unless you do option 3 on the list). Take some time for yourself and get in some extra Zzzzs. You deserve it.

Alter Ego Helps Moms Pick The Right Help

Good Communication Makes For A Happy Home

Today, Moms are busier than ever. With the responsibilities of managing a warm and loving home, balancing a career, and making time for a healthy relationship, it has become impossible not to ask for help. Finding the right person to help can be the difference between continuous worry and peace of mind.

The first step is to do your homework. Are you planning on networking, or using an agency? If you plan to use an agency to aid in your search, finding the right one that understands your needs, expectations and budget is vital. Make sure your agency is licensed and insured. A great agency will offer a trial period, have a guarantee policy, and perform background checks on their candidates.

Secondly, be specific with your guidelines. Now is the time to clearly define what is important to you and your family to live your best life. If you need someone who can drive, travel with you every summer, has a college degree, or can also help with light housekeeping, now is the time to say it. You want to meet candidates who are the best fit for your position. You want to ensure that will be a good fit in the future.

Thirdly, ask the right questions. Listen and pay attention. Are you looking for a nanny who will be with your family for the next 10 years? If so, during the interview, talk with your candidate about long-term career goals. What are their expectations? Work/childcare philosophy? Starting off on the right foot is the foundation to building this relationship.

Now that you have found someone with your same philosophy and values, open communication is essential. Here are our best tips for building good communication and respect:

1.) Set boundaries. It is much easier to manage expectations and show that you respect their role in your home by clear communication.

2.) Keep a schedule. You are running late from the office, your spouse has a PTA meeting, you were dying to get your haircut after work. When unforeseen changes occur in your schedule, it is customary to give proper notice and make sure that your nanny is ok with the extra hours. From our experience, most nannies do not mind picking up some extra hours IF they are told in advance. Their time is just as valuable, and they too have worked a long day.

3.) Compensate accordingly. In line with the above, if your staff has to work extra hours, it certainly should not be for free. Make sure your nanny knows that his or her hard work isn’t going unnoticed.

4.) Leave a paper trail. By providing a clear job description during an interview, a list of rules and guidelines in a contract/confidentiality agreement, it is essential to demonstrate that you envision this as a formal position. By laying out a schedule, compensation & benefits, and annual review, you will both be clear on your expectations.

5.) Respect. This cannot be emphasized enough. Make yourselves available and approachable by making time to have a conversation. 

 About The Author - Caitlin Hofherr:

Before founding Alter Ego Concierge, Caitlin Hofherr worked as the director of a lifestyle management and staffing agency in New York, catering to the needs of an elite clientele ranging from Fortune 500 CEO’s to today's biggest celebrities. Beginning her career in the fashion industry working in public relations, Caitlin brought unparalleled customer service to the staffing industry, finding the perfect fit for her clients' household needs. Highly regarded by her clients and peers in the industry, Caitlin has taken her expertise to Chicago, establishing Alter Ego Concierge to bring the finest in lifestyle management services. Alter Ego Concierge is Chicago’s premier full service concierge and domestic staffing agency, offering clients the ability to truly maximize their time to live a stress free life. Alter Ego Concierge challenges their clients to “Meet The Organized You” offering everything from nannies, housekeepers, personal assistants and chefs to drivers, on-set tutors, estate managers and on-call assistants. 

 Visit www.alteregoconcierge.com for a full list of expansive services, email info@alteregoconcierge.com or call 312-802-2337.

Special Offer For Moms In The City Readers: mention MITC when you register at Alter Ego Concierge and receive 20% off your next hire. Offer good through August 1, 2010. 

Moms Love Movies

So this has been a running posting on MITC for many months but it has been such a great resource that I have made it a staple for moms to read! With all the new updates  that will be taking place it will be rotating with other posting and will also be easy to find on the MITC blog if you search for Baby Pictures.

With the spring weather looming just around the corner, it will be the perfect time to grab a mom, the kids and catch a flick!

View this link to see theaters nationwide.

Funny funny funny of the week!

So good I had to get three of em! See more at Fuffernutter.