One Secret to a Working Mom Success: Make Family Events More Enjoyable With Friends

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Better Together: Why Inviting Another Family Makes Activities More Fun #FamilyFun Sometimes family activities can feel like another item on the to-do list. However, doing those activities with another family makes them more fun! Whether it’s a trip to an amusement park , a visit to the local pool , or trip to a pumpkin patch , including another family can multiply the fun in amazing ways. One of my favorite moms to collaborate with is my friend, Ayana Ledford who's pictured above with her daughter Sahar. We have done all of the things listed as seemingly random examples above and here is how including her and her daughter (and sometimes her son too) has made the events more fun. On the date above, Ayana almost left the venue because parking was a nightmare. That said, she hung in there and we would up having a great time!
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Working Mom Tip: Value Your Time With Your Kids

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My kids one day after school...
"I was in New York in the snowstorm last night 'cause I wanted to maximize time with my children," Drew told E! News. "I have a job to do but I chose to be a parent first and I swear to God the priorities paid off, my karma—we got on the plane and JetBlue got me right here. And it was all good. And I played in the snow with my kids all day."

On Sunday I was watching the E! Red Carpet show that preceded the Golden Globes. I was expecting to see celebrities and get fashion tips. I was not expecting to get a lesson in how to balance my responsibilities as a working mom.
The lesson came from Drew Barrymore. When she was being interviewed she mentioned that she chose to spend extra time playing with her kids in New York during a snow storm before leaving to attend the awards. She said that she knew she might miss the Awards because of the weather, but took the chance because she values her time with her children. Her comment made me reflect on my own priorities.

Here's the thing, I realize that Drew Barrymore's life and mine have very little in common. I am not rich. I am not famous. And I have not attended the Golden Globes. Still, I have children and I have people who expect things from me. Sometimes what my children need and what others want present me with a conflict. Indeed, that often happens.

Still, playing in the snow--spending a day at the park, lounging on the couch--all day with your kids are inexpensive luxuries we all can afford. Indulge!!!

My children are two and six. What they want most of all is to be with me all of the time, generally cuddling on the couch. Their desire for cuddling is constant. Given my career goals and demands, cuddling can seem like a waste of time. There is no deliverable that comes from cuddling. Still, I have come to realize that cuddling is not a waste of time, it is very important to my kids and it is important to me.

Time I spend time with my kids making them feel loved, protected, and cherished helps to inform their sense of self. It also contributes to their well being. Cuddling is like making a love deposit into their self-esteem account and a it renews my spirit. So, I do it, even when it is really inconvenient because I now understand that it is truly valuable. While Drew Barrymore may be rich and famous and doesn't share my working mom struggles, it was refreshing to hear her validate that the struggle is real! 

http://www.fitpregnancy.com/parenting/celebrity/drew-barrymore-shows-us-even-stars-struggle-to-find-working-mom-balance

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