Understanding the Role of a Postpartum Doula

Understanding the Role of a Postpartum Doula
Becoming a mother is a remarkable journey filled with joy and challenges. To support new moms in their physical recovery, emotional well-being, breastfeeding, and newborn care, postpartum doulas are there to guide and empower them. These doulas offer invaluable advice on postpartum healing, address concerns related to physical discomforts, and provide a safe space for new moms to express their feelings. Additionally, they offer guidance and reassurance on breastfeeding techniques and troubleshooting common issues. With their help, new moms can navigate the challenges of postpartum with confidence and fully embrace the joy of motherhood.
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The Ultimate Guide to Mompreneur Time Management: Balancing Business and Family

The Ultimate Guide to Mompreneur Time Management: Balancing Business and Family
Being a mompreneur is a crazy juggling act, as it involves managing both a business and a family. In my experience and opinion the key to success lies in effective time management. By implementing smart strategies, mompreneurs can create a harmonious balance between their entrepreneurial endeavors and their family commitments. In this blog, we'll explore some essential tips for mastering time management as a mompreneur.

Prioritize Tasks and Set Clear SMART Goals:
The first step in effective time management is prioritizing tasks. Start each day by identifying the most important tasks that require immediate attention. Create a to-do list and set clear goals for what you want to achieve. Focus on high-priority activities that align with your business objectives and family commitments. By setting specific goals, you can stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Delegate and Outsource:
As a mompreneur, it's crucial to recognize that you can't do everything on your own. We aren't meant to do this mom thing alone! Delegate tasks that can be handled by others, whether it's hiring a virtual assistant, outsourcing specific business functions, or seeking help from family members. This allows you to free up time for essential activities and spend more quality time with your family.

Create and Follow a Schedule:
Establishing a well-structured schedule is vital for effective time management. Set specific working hours for your business and dedicate quality time to your family. Use digital calendars, productivity apps, or traditional planners to plan your days and weeks in advance. Allocate time for business-related tasks, family activities, and most imporantly self-care and relaxation. Having a schedule helps create a sense of balance and ensures that you allocate sufficient time to all your responsibilities. 

Practice Time Blocking:
Time blocking involves dividing your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks. For instance, allocate a block of time in the morning for focused work on your business, another block for family time in the afternoon, and so on. By assigning dedicated time slots for different activities, you can minimize distractions, improve productivity, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.  Also, set boundaries with yourself and with others to get your tasks done, especially if you are an empath or people pleaser. 

Being a successful mompreneur requires mastering the art of time management. By prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, creating schedules, and utilizing time blocking techniques, mompreneurs can effectively balance their business and family commitments. Remember, finding the right balance may take time, but with persistence and dedication, you can thrive in both areas of your life. 

Are you feeling balanced and good about YOUR time management?  

If you are in the metro Detroit area, join me on Monday July 31sh in the evening for a deep dive on time management for #mompreneurs and #womeninbusiness.  Click the link below to get your ticket NOW! 


#learnwithlynne #momsinbusiness #timemanagement #MIBint

“WHERE ARE MY SCISSORS”?!

“WHERE ARE MY SCISSORS”?!
Have you ever said this out loud or even shouted it? Have you spent too much time looking for the proper pair of scissors that should be in the kitchen drawer, in your craft caddy or in your workspace?  I can’t tell you how many times I have done this, perhaps thousands of times. We have always had a super busy household, along with running our businesses. We always have some project going on that one would need to have a pair of scissors handy. We have several groups of scissors found in different areas of the house for different purposes. The challenge is that everyone living in the house respect what scissor type is meant to be used for its intended purpose. This may seem excessive, read on to learn more.

The biggest collection of scissors we have in our house are in the kitchen. Here we have two categories. The first is the food scissors. We have several pairs that we use from IKEA as well as several other pairs that we have gotten over time from various knife sets. The second group of scissors are for general use. We keep them in a multi-purpose drawer away from the food prep area. We use these for ANYTHING that needs to be cut such as opening packages or cutting paper to wrap gifts.  

The next biggest collection of scissors are my various crafting project pairs. My favorite for this is my @CreativeMemories scissors. I also have special non-stick scissors for cutting and trimming stickers and things that are sticky.  My favorite scissor pair for this situation is the @TimHoltz version. I also have the infamous bird scissors that are for yarn and embroidery thread. I must mention decorative edge or fancy edge scissors as well. These are the BEST for crafting, scrapbooking and cardmaking, especially with kids. I also have to give a nod to safety scissors for kids.  These are a must when you have a toddler/preschooler learning to refine their fine motor skills and building their muscle memory.

We also have a few pair of scissors in the bathroom. These are special hair cutting scissors. These have come handy over the years! Trimming beards, moustaches, trimming around the ears and getting gum out of hair.  There is also a special bandage scissor pair in our first aid kit, for obvious reasons, they NEED to stay in the kit!
Now we come to fabric scissors…these are the type you want to hide from your family or anyone else who lives with you. Trust me, your family will not respect these scissors like you do.  They will try to use them for ANYTHING other than fabric.  I’ve caught my husband and kids using my good scissors just to cut some random cardboard box or using the food scissors for something other than food.   My most favorite scissors for fabric are the straight cuts, and picking shears from @Gingher, they are the best!

I always keep a small pair of pruning scissors around to properly prune and cut fresh flowers in the spring, summer and fall. I keep these in our broom closet by our side door. We also have a lefty in the house, so don’t forget the lefties.
The scissor solution is simple. Have the right scissors for the right job or project. Also, have a special place for the scissors to be stored or even hidden, so that you always know where to find the pair you need. It’s also best to have several pairs as well.   

What are your favorite scissors and where do you store them? Tell me in the comments below

5 Things to LOVE About Trying Something NEW!!!

5 Things to LOVE About Trying Something NEW!!!
Are YOU currently trying something new? Have you considered it? Recently, I have been doing a lot of new things. For instance, I learned how to build a website landing page, took a college level business course, joined a “business POD team” challengeand became very close friends with four wonderful, amazing women. I also attended my first of many AFT sessions to work on my mindset moving forward.  I think I thrive on trying new things! I feel the fear and do it anyway. Like a few months ago, I decided to write a book and several online courses! (Say what!) Who am I?!  

Also, last June I met a wonderfulman with a big heart, who had the passion for building “Little Free Libraries.” He calls them “bookeries.” So since I love books AND advocating for childrens literacy, I had a custom “Little Free Library” built, installed, and now I steward it. (I had no idea what I was doing when I began THAT process.) My latest new hobby is diving into the #HappyPlanner world. It’s kind of like scrapbooking a calendar for the year, which is perfect for me!

Here are 5 Things to LOVE about trying something NEW:

1.)  Building Character: It helps you grow stronger and build characteryou know, the things like integrity, loyalty, honesty, fortitude, empathy. You just may gain a new perspective on something you never considered in the past.

2.) New experiences will help you learn more about yourself: What kind of new experience can YOU try? Think about it, but don’t over think it. What kind of childhood things did you like doing that you don’t do anymore? Now, go do it! 

3.) You may stumble upon a useful opportunity: I call this a chance to move your life in a new direction. It just may make you a believer in optimism, if you are a bit skeptical.
  
4.) Boost your confidence: It will open up your mind, and you many even surprise yourself with your newly found confidence!
 
5.) Expand your social network:  By trying new things you most certainly will meet new people. or know too many people.
 
If you are not big on trying new things, please give it a try but start small, and only do one new thing at a time!
 
“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” — Thomas Jefferson
 

Why we love the Power of Positive (and you should too!)

Why we love the Power of Positive (and you should too!)
If you find yourself feeling not so positive, there is great news!  There are some easy peasy, lemon squeezy ways to train your brain to become more positive by doing these simple steps...
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