Have a Happy and Safe Halloween

Halloween can be a great time for parents and children alike. Sometimes getting ready for the holiday can be taxing. When we have more on our plate than we care to handle, it can take a bit of the fun out of the holiday. There is the shopping, the decorating, and god forbid we host a party. The bottom line is, we all look forward to a day where we get to take a break and be someone or something else for a while. To keep Halloween full of good clean spooky fun, here are a few safety tips.

Tip 1: Never allow your children to trick-or-treat alone.
Trick-or-treating is a staple of Halloween. I know my children look forward to it all year. Unfortunately, it is a bit dangerous. We live in a society where we don't really know our neighbors. The Sex Offender Registry states that almost every neighborhood in the US has at least three sex offenders living in them. The odds increase as the cost of the houses decrease. For this reason, we must always protect our children. The best way to do this is to have a parent or adult  chaperone your child. This will also prevent your child from getting in to trouble on their own. Don't get me wrong, I know it's hard with school and work to be home. You might try and arrange for your child to go out with a friend's parents or a grandparent.

Tip 2: Always carry a flashlight and a cell phone.
Even though Halloween is good clean fun, you never know when things might change. It never hurts to be prepared. Keeping a flashlight in your purse will come in handy if their are any dark streets on your route. You could also try bringing a flashlight with a colored lens or glow sticks for your children. The colored light will help you see where your children are and prevent anyone from being misplaced. Your cell phone will be a godsend if anyone gets separated from your group. It may also come in handy if you or your children get too tired to walk back home.

Tip 3: Plan a route before leaving the house.
Planning a route may seem like a bit much, but it will keep you from getting lost. By planning your route you can make sure that you are in the most hospitable area for your children. You can also plan to stay in the most well lit streets in your neighborhood.

Tip 4: Get out early.
As the night gets later the crowd can become more unpredictable. With younger children it is best to go trick-or-treating earlier. In the early evening you are less likely to come across the undesirable element. It's also a better time to get candy. Many of your neighbor will have a better supply earlier on. If you leave earlier, it might give you and your spouse or significant other some time to have a little spooky fun of your own.

Tip 5: Don't eat unwrapped candy or homemade foods.
I know this is an olde, but a goode. Unwrapped snacks could be tampered with. If you didn't make the food, or it wasn't commercially packed; you can't know the true contents. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Tip 6: Look into public Halloween events.
If tick-or-treating isn't panning out, many establishments have Halloween alternatives. You still get the joy of dressing up, but with a safer environment. I know in my town the aquarium, mall, and parks were hosting Halloween events with candy and treats. Each event had a different date, which may allow busier moms a shot at a Halloween alternative.

I hope these tips will help you on your quest for a fun and safe spook-day. Remember, keep the kids safe and rack up the candy. Don't forget to have your own fun. Just because your an adult doesn't mean you don't deserve to let your hair down and put your vampire teeth in. Or dress up like a forensic physiologic and try to piece together the clues for a hot night in. However you spend it, I hope your Halloween is everything you wanted.

Easy Fashion For a Mom on the Go

All busy women envy the young girls we see in school or in the mall that are able to spend more time getting ready for their outings than they actually spend out of their homes. The truth is, most days moms can barely use the bathroom alone, much-less style our hair or apply the new make-up trend everyone is wearing. I'm here to give you a few fall style tips to make you feel more put together when attending your classes, or just running errands with your children. I know what your thinking, I don't have anymore time to get ready than I already use, but the truth is, a few tweaks to your current regiment and you could feel like a hot mama.

Tip 1: Dark Wash Jeans
All moms love their jeans. They are comfortable, easy, and go with everything. Dark wash jeans are a ladies best friend. By wearing a pair of dark wash jeans you get the ease and comfort of a standard jean, with the sophistication of a trouser. Wearing dark wash jeans with any outfit looks more put together than a lighter wash. Try looking for a more quality jean; they're lighter, softer, and more comfortable and available in any budget.

Tip 2: Boots
Knee high boots are a fall staple. You can wear a fitted t-shirt and jeans with a decent boot and you look like a fashionista. For fall, I would recommend a nice faux leather in brown or black. There are styles to fit any taste and any budget. I currently like the riding style, which has a lower heel and a few buckle accents. With the lower heal they are comfortable and practical without sacrificing fashion. For the cooler weather approaching winter, I recommend an animal friendly faux fur boot. Once again, you don't have to break the bank to purchase these boots. There are several websites such as Just Fab where you can purchase them for under forty dollars and shipping is free. Also Target has a lovely selection of boots that won't break the bank.

Tip 3: Funky Hats
Hats are a great accessory. Wearing a hat can help you cut down on your styling time. Wearing a cute hat means you still look fashionable, but didn't have to spend the extra time to fix your hair. There are as many different styles of hats as their are materials to make them from. It's really up to your taste and wardrobe  as to which style is best for you, but adding a hat to most outfits adds a little spunk.

Tip 4: Simple Up Do
There are going to be times that you're not feeling your hat, or your straightening iron. This is a perfect time for a cute up do. In the past creating an up do meant either a pony tail, bun, or a whole bunch of bobby pins. There are several cute hair styles you can create that take about two mins and look fabulous. One of my favorites is the Half Pony Tail Flip. Sound complicated, it's not and was a style that was discussed at New York Fashion Week.
Here's how to do it at home: 1.Take your hair and roll a small portion of either side of your face. 2.Use a hair tie to secure them in to a half pony tail. 3.Collect all your hair like you want to make a pony tail. 4.Rap with a hair tie twice to secure. 5.Begin a third wrap but do not pull hair completely through. This makes a sort of mess bun.
This style can also be great for work. It secures your hair so you can work well, but also looks professional.

Tip 5: Metallic Eye Make-up
Metallic eye make-up is a great way to appear as though you spent a lot of time on your face, when you didn't. Every make-up brand has a line of metallic eye make-up. I prefer the golds and bronzes. Swipe the gold across you lid and apply the bronze to the crease of your eye. Apply a bit of mascara, and you have a fresh fall eye that looks great. Turn the metallic in to a night look with a little liquid eye liner along your lash line and the bronze all over the lid. You'll have a smokey look that looks like a million bucks.

Tip 6: Scarf or Wrap
A scarf or wrap is a great way to spice up a look. I don't mean your grandma's scarf that is thick, bulky, and just out of fashion. I mean a thin linen scarf with a great color or pattern. Once again you can find a linen scarf in most department store. You want to look for a scarf that feels nice and looks just as good. You can wrap a scarf or wrap around your neck and instantly look chic.

Tip 7: Brightly Colored Shoes
One common style misconception is that your shoes have to be the same color as some part of your outfit. There is no fashion law that says you have to be completely matching. Adding a pop of color with either a bag or a contrasting shoe is very fashionable. A nice solid colored pump can be a great accent piece. If you're wearing a yellow shirt try putting on red shoes. They are complementing colors and they create a nice fall pallet.

Tip 8: Accessorize
 Nothing dresses up an outfit better than some funky jewelry. Having cute pieces doesn't have to leave you broke either. Try looking in discount stores or accessory stores in your local mall. Many stores put together collections that take the guess work out of pairing up pieces. For a necklace, try a set of chunky pearls or beads, but remember natural is in too so don't be afraid to try feathers as well.

Looking great doesn't have to cost a lot, or take up all your time. Remember, these tips can be mixed, matched, or used all together to create your own fabulous looks. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and put together no matter how much money or time they have. Try sporting these tips to your medical assistant classes and see how many compliments you get. I'm sure you'll be the chicest mom at the park.

Making Friends When Your Life is Insane

The truth is, making friends is never easy. It wasn't easy when you were in school. High school was a nightmare, and making friends as an adult is no easier. Add to this dilemma a family that requires your time and attention, a job, and college courses and it's almost impossible. When you have a family, trying to make friends becomes like dating, but you're not just looking for your own compatibility you have to think about your children and significant other as well. It's incredibly stressful. I know I felt like a lost cause. Sure, you may meet a few people with similar interests in your nursing programs, but it's typically slim pickings.

Why bother trying to make friends? This is always my husband's question. He thinks that he and the children should be enough of a social life. I think it's different for men. They don't seem to understand the need for girl time or chick flicks. Friends serve a very important purpose for a woman, they help us maintain our sanity. Our friends act as our counselor, therapist, conscience, confidant, and partners in crime.  Despite my husband and me being very close, he still remains as a large portion of my day to day frustration. Though it is important to be honest with your spouse or significant other, it is still very nice to get a female opinion on the situation. As I'm sure you know, when your life is a whirlwind of crazy, it's easy to over exaggerate a situation and with a friend to help calm your nerves you're less likely to blow up at your spouse. Needless to say, when you're lacking in the friend department it can make the rest of your life more than a little rocky.

There are many ways of trying to make friends as a mother, a wife, a student, and a woman. Not all of these methods are worth the effort. Through my own experience I have learned which means of friend making are effective and which are not. I am going to let you in on my findings.

1. Posting on Craigslist or Other Classified sites.
This has to be one of the least effective methods of making friends. If you are the one posting the add, you receive more responses with junk mail attached than actual people. Posting on a classified site seems a bit desperate and you're more likely to have weirdos answer than people who are actually interested in becoming friends. From my experience, after the initial email chat further communication seems awkward. I met one woman that I really got along with through text messages, but when we got together to meet it was incredibly strange. It was like meeting with a stranger even though we had been talking for weeks.

2. Attending Mom Groups in Your Area.
Mom groups are a good idea, but it seems they are more about quantity instead of quality. I have attended several different types of mom groups and each group I attended had a cliquey vibe. They were all fairly nice, but I didn't get a chance to connect with any of the moms on a personal level. There were a great deal of children that required supervision, and actually sitting down and talking was out of the questions. The groups I tried met more frequently than I could attend. I felt when I missed a session, I misses out on jokes and interaction that put me further out of the loop. I made a few friendships from these groups, but they were short lived.

3. Luck of the Draw.
One of my more successful endeavors has been taking my children to the park and watching to see who they get along with.  Striking up a conversation with the parent is easy when your children are having a blast. The hardest part of this option is the phone number exchange. You can do one of two things: try to arrange to come back to the park another day to spend more time together, or suck it up and give them your info. Just like dating, there is a chance of rejection. However, most busy parents are going through the same thing. I have met several of my current friends this way.

4. Extra-curricular Activities for Your Children.
Signing your children up for sports, scouts, or other activities is another way to meet parents with like interests. However, transporting your children to and from their activities can be time consuming. If you make friends with other parents, you could also set up a carpool to help cut down on the travel time.

5. Be Active in Your Child's School.
Many parents choose to be more active in their child's PTA to make friends. This is another time consuming option. Becoming a member of the PTA obligates you to attend monthly meetings and assist in their festivals and fund raisers. Being a member of the PTA can prove to be challenging when studying for finals or writing papers on a deadline.

All of these options have their benefits and draw backs. I know not everyone will have the same results as I did, but I hope this information helps to save you some time and frustration. It's never an easy or fun process trying to meet new people, but it's worth it for you and your children. After all, a happy mom makes a happy family.

Potty Training Your Child While Juggling College and Life

Potty training is a difficult time for anyone. Potty training while juggling your mid-term, house keeping, and couples time with your spouse is near impossible. The truth is that to get one of the high paying jobs you have to have a college education. With a busy schedule it's incredibly easy to slip back and forth between using the potty and diapers when your time is at a premium. Here are a few simple steps that will make this necessary nightmare a bit easier to manage.

Step 1:
Be Consistent.
I know it's not the easiest advice when your life is extremely hectic, but the minor stress will speed up the process. By being consistent, your child is less likely to become confused by what is expected of them. In most cases, it's easiest to begin potty training on a weekend when both parents are home. Having both parents to help in the process means that taking your child to the bathroom every thirty minutes will be less of an inconvenience.

Step 2:
Reward Your Child.
Potty training is just as hard for your child as it is for you. Make a big deal out of there milestones. Take your child out for a special trip to buy their new underwear. Find an easy way to make your child feel special, like clapping for them or reward them with a small treat. My twins did best with small marshmallows. As they advance in the process tapper-off the marshmallows. By rewarding your child, You are making this experience fun. By making using the toilet exciting, it makes your child want to tell you when they feel the need to go potty.

Step 3:
Be Patient.
When you are stressed or anxious your child can feel your energy. You don't want you child to think that the toilet is a source of negative energy. Your child is not going to learn to use the potty in a day, but with patience they will be more comfortable and learn faster. You should try to make the bathroom a calm place.

Step 4:
Help Your Child Feel Secure.
This step has two parts. The first part is purchasing a device to make you child sit comfortably on your toilet. In most cases, this device is a smaller portable toilet at a height that allows your child to keep their feet on the floor. The small toilet is convenient because you can bring it in to whatever room you need to be working from. Your child is less likely to have accidents if the toilet is more readily available. Purchasing a cover that blocks off part of the hole in the toilet seat is another option. Both items have their benefits, but I tend to lean toward the portable toilet.
The second part is giving your child your undivided attention. There is nothing your child likes more than having you pay attention to them. When your child is on the toilet try holding their hand, or asking them how they feel. You want your child to know you're there to help if they need you.

Step 5:
Watch Your Child's Body Language.
As funny as this sound, children are in some respect like animals. If they need to potty and think they'll get in trouble for having an accident, they will try to hide it. If you see your child ducking behind your chair or quietly retreating down the hallway, they probably need to use the bathroom. Children also tend to tug at their pants when they think they are about to go. Keep your child close until they begin telling you they need to go to the potty.

Step 6:
Expect Bumps in The Road.
The truth is all children are going to have accidents; it's just the way it goes. By planing ahead, you can minimize the damage. Plastic sheets are inexpensive and a great way to save the mattress. Also, try to minimize the toys and blankets your child can take to bed with them. This will reduce your laundry load should they have an accident. Also, if you know you are going out for a long shopping trip or out to lunch, pack two extra sets of underwear and clothes. This will prevent you from having to cut your trip short if your child has an accident.

With these simple steps your child will be out of diapers and you'll be back to studying in no time. Keeping the experience light and as stress free as possible will cut your child's set backs in half. Being a parent is the hardest and most thankless job there is, but at the end of the day it is the most rewarding. It's completely possible to better yourself and care for your family. I hope these tips help you keep your cool during this trying time.