Strategies for Raising kids and RISING on the job.

I wish someone had written this article personally for me when my kids were much younger. Whew! What a God-send this would have been. Well, since I didn't get it earlier, and I had to learn as I went along...this article will be straight from the heart, and will let you know what has worked for me:

• Learn to say NO, and learn to say it quickly. Whether is learning to say NO in the workplace to assignments that can be delegated effectively elsewhere are learning to say NO to family members concerning an outing that you know that you do not have the time nor energy to attend (please don't FAKE this one, because FAMILY can have a great stronghold on your success inside of your home and outside). If you have trouble saying NO at first, start with "let me get back to you on that!"
  
• This may sound funny...but find a spouse that cooks, this way you will not have to feel that you have to RUSH home and prepare all the meals all the time. Take turns preparing meals whether it's weekly or daily.
  
• If you are a single mom, when it comes to cooking, gather all the "quicky" meal recipes you can find especially during the week. Delegate cooking duties to some of the older kids; and the younger kids teach them how to "set a table", but allow them to help as well.
  
• If you have to travel a lot, try to negotiate with your boss "some family travel time", thereby allowing you to take your family along on longer trips
  
• Remember, at least occasionally, to make your lunch hour---YOUR LUNCH HOUR, and not a WORKING Lunch Hour!
  
• Don't try to micromanage. Learn the Gentle Art of Delegation...on the job and at home. Trust your spouse or the caregiver, and trust your employees and co-workers as well with the small, tedious assignments.
  
• Remember that you are not good to anyone if you are not good to yourself...so get PAMPERED once in awhile.
  
• When you travel for leisure with your family, impose a MEDIA blackout. No cell phones for x # of days-- family calls not included. You will truly take a break from news, email and other media bombardment.
  
• If you are in a meeting, leave your family cell phone in your office, request that others take messages for you unless it is a dire emergency.
  
• Last but not least, shelve the "inner loser" who holds you back, and bag the working mom guilt, because truly "Success is your Destiny TM".

About the Expert: Sandra Moaney Wright became a Christian at the age of 13 and has drawn closer to the Lord during her adult life. Sandra loves to share her God-given ability to write to motivate and inspire women of all ages. Sandra and her husband W.L. Wright are true romantics--they tied the knot on February 14 (Valentine's Day) and are the proud parents of Jacari, Imani, and Shere'. Sandra is a member of Open Word Christian Ministries in Fairburn, Georgia. For more information on Sandra Moaney Wright please visit sandramoaneywright.com or email moaney_wright@yahoo.com