Thursday, May 27, 2010

Thirty-One

So, some of my friends may wonder why I decided to go out on a "limb" and join Thirty-One as an Independent Consultant. I sold Arbonne, years ago, but it was a blink of an eye, so expensive and honestly, really bored me. Sorry, it just did. There was so much junk to sell and it really isn't everyone's cup of tea. I think I still have samples somewhere around the house. The stuff is okaygood, but it was expensive and frankly, there is better skincare and makeup out there...like bare minerals and everyday diva! :) But I digress...

OK, Thirty-One is my little part time job. I LOVE bags, storage ideas and monogramming. BUT, I am sooooooo impressed with this company. It is small, there aren't a lot of sales reps, like 6,000 in the entire country. I think there are 900 in SC, so we have the most. And compared to other direct sales companies, it's a drop in the bucket. Get in now, at the bottom floor, and you can go where ever you want to go.

Me? I really don't care about that. I mean, the extra cash is nice, but in no way is that something we need. I needed to feel useful, to feel like I wasn't on some island, alone with my kids. And I love being a part of a company that is positive, life affirming and supportive to women. And, the stuff they make is so modern, fresh and AWESOME! LOL! As a longtime sales rep and a working gal until I was 35, it's hard to all of a sudden stop. But I did. And I am very grateful for the ability to do so. But a girl still needs some social time and a way to expand herself.

So, when I had my first party, it felt amazing. Everything clicked. I had a blast helping women with their purchases and gifts. FUN! I loved it! It didn't feel like sales, it didn't feel like work. It just made me feel good.

Thirty-One times over I made the right choice to be a part of something that is fun, worthwhile and novel. If, at some point, it is not fun for me, then I will move on...but I will STILL have awesome bags! LOL!!!

www.mythirtyone.com/glee

Don't be scared to try something new, step out of your box, or supplement your income. This is a super company and the start up cost is $99. Seriously. No regrets!

Now, it's off to bed. I'm TIRED!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Mama Bears & Parents Who Don't Bother to Parent

There is nothing that brings out the fury in me more than my child being hurt by another. And not to worry,  I get really damn mad when he hurts someone else's child.  But isn't that what good parents feel? Fury when their baby is hurt and frustration or disappointment when they hurt another?!?

I admit it, I am a MAMA BEAR. I will always protect my little ones. But, here's the thing, sometimes I feel like I have to be this way because of other parents who refuse to parent. Simply said and simply sad.

Sometimes it is just a tired parent with too much to do, too many kids to watch or not enough sleep. You can see it in their eyes. And, as soon as they realize or are told what their little monster did, they take immediate action. I'm okay with that because it happens to us all.

Other times it is a parent who would rather socialize and pretend as if they did not even bring a child or children with them. Those are the people who really tick me off. Usually it's the parents of kids who are entirely out of control, super sneaky, or just plain mean. I try like hell to avoid situations with parents who are like this but we all know they are everywhere. If you are one of those parents. please STOP! Come on, you have such a short time with your little monsters. Enjoy it before it goes away and you really do have time to enjoy sipping your cocktail and ignoring kids for realz...

Even worse is when one parent ignores their kids while the other poor parent is left to watch the entire brood. Really? Why have kids if you are just going to ignore them? And please get over the old idea of the wife doing everything all the time. It's selfish and stupid.

As parents we try our best but we aren't going to be perfect. There is simply no such thing. The best we can do is give our kids a lot of love, quality attention and time. And, of course, be the people that we want them to grow up to be. That means behave the way we want them to behave. And seriously expect them to treat others with respect and kindness. And if they do not, work to adjust and alter their behavior.


It is so tough being a parent these days. Spank, don't spank, yell, don't yell, they should be reading by 1, be an olympic athlete by 5! I am so tired of all the damn books, behavior experts and judgmental people. Every child is different and every child needs a different approach.

The only absolute? Well, beating your child or yelling at your child is prolly not gonna help at all. I will pop my son on the bottom when he runs out into the road. I do not see anything wrong with that. But I don't think a child needs to be spanked for everything thing he or she does. That is extreme.

Maybe it is the extremes of parenting that annoy me. In psychology that is actually not considered a healthy or good thing. We must see that there is gray area, everything is not black and white.

Parenting is the same. It is a fluid motion much like dancing where we should sometimes respond to our partner and other times take a step before our partner.