Completely Irrelevant

I quit the advertising industry about 18 months ago. I wanted to take care of my three kids rather than my clients. But the other reason was so try and figure out what else I could do with my life apart from advertising. Of course it was naive of me to think that I would have any time to myself to reflect on my life options. But what I've learned is that you have to make time, make room in your life for new opportunities.

For me one of the new thing I've included in my life is art. Not because it will get me into a new field just because. When I excitedly tell people about my art classes they usually say that's great but what they're thinking is "how is that relevant?" The point is that it's irrelevant to my former career and my role as a mother.

But it's so relevant in keeping my mind engaged. It's opened up a whole world to me.
It makes me commit to something just for me. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed taking classes at MOMA.

Last semester I did Modern Art from 1945 to present. This semester I'm taking Photography 1945 to present. Last year I discovered all of these galleries around NY with Metropolitan Mom. Go do something completely "irrelevant" today.

Daily Inspiration #2: Don't be a Supermom!

Supermoms are so last century. The idea that a woman can be everything is just a lie. And I hate to say it but women are the ones who keep this crazy idea alive. Let's be honest, no one can do everything alone. Whenever you read about a supermom, read the fine print and you'll see that she's getting help... a great husband, a super nanny, family living close by.
So today give up on the idea of being a supermom. Get some help and get some time for yourself.
Get a babysitter to come once or twice a week, get a cleaning lady, find a drop off class for your kids.
Let's stop hurting each other by pretending that Super moms exist.
Let's support SMART moms. Women who understand that in order to be a good mom you need to take care of the whole woman. Women who see that asking for help is not a weakness. Let's face it, everybody likes to delegate some of the time. Today find someone to delegate to!

Daily Inspiration #1: Stay Positive

Let's face it, being a mom is demanding work. When you're trying to make sure you're taking care of your whole self (mom, me, wife and professional) it's easy to focus on the challenges.
Well today (and everyday for that matter) let's focus on the positive things in our lives.
The part of body that we think looks great
The fact that our kids are healthy
The sun is shinning
That spring is only a few months away
The trip we planned for the summer
you know what I mean. Just find the happy stuff and concentrate on that today. You'll see, you'll feel empowered and positive in no time!

Labor Pains!

Starting this blog tonight is like giving birth to my fourth child (I already have three).
It's been almost seven years since my son Gabriel was born and ever since then I've been working toward this moment. The moment where I can create a community of mothers who I can inspire and who can inspire each other.

I know that there are lot of you out there. Smart, dedicated, driven and wise mothers who are writing the handbook of motherhood on a daily basis.

This is a place where you can share some of you hard earned wisdom and to learn from others who are on the same path.

Some of us may be brand news moms, some of us may be on our third, and some may have reached the end of the journey and have seen our kids leave the nest. Some of us are balancing a career and motherhood, some of us may be taking a "break." The point is that we're all facing the same challenges and the best way to reach our goals is to share our wisdom.

No one can understand what it means to be a mother, the joys, the challenges, the good days and the bad ones, like a mother.

So let's inspire each other on this magnificent journey that is motherhood.