Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Family Financial Planning (FM)

Before having a baby most couples are living in the moment. Each person has been bringing income into the relationship, monthly bills are taken care of, a life insurance policy may, or may not be in place, and contributions may have been deducted weekly towards a 401 (k). But often times a long term financial plan in not in place.

With the upcoming birth of a baby -- a child that will be totally dependent on its parents -- future financial plans should be put in place. But to do that each person needs to talk through certain aspects first.

Questions such as:
~ How do we pay for hospital and doctor bills?
~ How do we prepare financially for mom being out of work for three months?
~ Is there life insurance in place to take care of the baby if something happens to one parent? Is there enough to take care of that baby long term?
~ How do we handle added baby expenses, especially for the first year?
~ Can we afford, once going back to work, to pay child care expenses each month?
~ Do we want to start an education plan, or set up a savings account for the baby?
~ How much extra will it cost each month to add baby to our health insurance?

All of these questions should be discussed and agreed upon before the birth of baby, to have a financial base organized.

Questions like these and others can be found in my new book "101 Questions for Expectant Parents: Preserving Your Relationship Through the Transition." I developed it as a talking tool for couples to discuss these important issues before baby arrives -- in order to eliminate any possible conflicts.

You can order it through www.Amazon.com.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Maternity & Paternity Benefits (FM)

When gearing up for the birth of your baby, one aspect that plays an important role is how to take the time off necessary for delivering a baby, and nurturing that baby for the first three month's of it's life.

In the scheme of life, it should be an automatic, because what is more important than having that dedicated time to bring a miracle into being. However, in the real world, money, job responsibilities and security play important roles.

So finding out what expenses your health insurance covers regarding hospital and doctor bills is a priority. As well as what your employer is providing for time off from work, job security while away, and financial contributions during your three month leave.

Preparing ahead for upcoming bils and expenses that a new baby brings, will eliminate any concerns about finances, if money is already put aside. When a baby arrives, couples are overwhelmed with managing the needs of a newborn, and learning how to work together as a team -- the last thing new parents need to be concerned about is money issues!!

So do your homework!!

Monday, July 28, 2008

One Stop Shopping -- Conserve Energy (FM)

The Family Matters radio show that I did featuring Destination Maternity and Babies R'Us was based on the concept of spending time wisely. Instead of going to three different places to buy maternity clothes, or shopping at several stores for baby furniture, and putting a registry in place, conserve energy by making as few trips as possible.

I know that in my case, putting my baby registry together was a huge task. I must have spent a few hours just researching the big items I would need, and then a couple of trips to Babies R'Us to get the main items organized. But with one place housing it all -- it made my life that much easier. And with the ability to add all the smaller items to my registry online, whenever I had time, became a huge time saver. (I also bought everything for the baby's nursery there as well)

When I was pregnant I was extremely exhausted all the time. I was not only managing my business, keeping the house together, dealing with our two dogs, walking for exercise to keep my body in shape for the upcoming delivery, but also doing everything to gear up for our expectant baby!! It can be extremely overwhelming!

I was also so used to going and doing, and hammering out a long to do list every day -- that it became very frustrating when I suddenly wasn't able to do it all. I had to stop and listen to my body......and sit down to rest, take breaks, not push myself, and instead pace myself to accomplish my to do list over a week, rather than a couple of days. I needed to remember that this was not about me, but about creating a healthy little baby.

So when I did need new clothes for my ever changing body, It helped to shop at one store for work clothes, casual clothes, and bras, while also picking up energy bars and belly cream as well.

Life is busy enough, but then add pregnancy and the list of tasks that need to get done before baby arrives -- it helps to find ways to conserve energy and work smarter, not harder!!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Being Away

There are some vacations that are filled with visiting family and friends, attending celebratory events, or are packed with an agenda of things to do. The best vacation for me is one spent at the beach, and near a pool. I don't want to have any type of agenda, except to go with the flow, relax, and live totally in the moment.

My real world existence is filled with a never ending 'to do' list, responsibilities, expectations, and time deadlines. While away, I just want to exit from the real world and spend quality time outdoors, soaking up the sun, and enjoying my family, without any distractions.

This past vacation was the best! We spent the week on a private island on the coast of South Carolina, away from traffic and commercialism, and just communed with nature.

Every day Jeff, Zack and I would get up, have a leisurely morning, and then pack up the stroller to take a 10 minute walk to the ocean for Zack to chase the seagulls, run in the water and dig in the sand. There were very few people there so we were able to experience the environment with little intrusion.

Then after awhile, we would stroll from the ocean to the pool, and spend the rest of the morning with me laying on a chaise lounger, watching Jeff and Zack enjoy bonding time in the water. Zack would jump off the edge of the pool to daddy, they would splash around together in the lower end, play with his water toys, and enjoy the other kids that were around each day. Then after lunch and a nap it would be back outdoors enjoying some activity together.

I believe that dedicated time, every day, really helped to solidify Jeff's relationship with Zack. Before our vacation Zack would spend time with dad, but there was still a lot of "mommy, mommy" -- now there is an equal amount of "daddy, daddy."

The week we spent away becomes one of those priceless moments that will always be held dear in our minds because it provided quality time experiencing.....what is really important in life!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Going Away on Vacation

Vacation is the best part of life.....the bad part is getting ready to go away, and then recovering when you get back. A few weeks ago I was gearing up to go out of town for a week long retreat, with my son and husband!! I had been looking forward to it for a couple of months -- to get away from the phone, the computer, e-mail, house responsibilities, and our two dogs!! (they go off to doggie camp)

But before I could get away to relax, I had to live through getting my business organized to leave, and finish up any outstanding projects that are due. I also had to not only pack for myself (and somewhat for my husband), but I had to pack up all of Zack's "essentials" that a toddler requires! Which means that we are not flying anywhere, but are packing up our SUV (to the brim) for our week long getaway and driving to our destination.

With a toddler, you just can't go away, without taking half of your house with you. He requires a pack-n-play to sleep in, (can't sleep in a regular bed yet) a booster seat for eating at the table, the stroller for long walks, a water vest for going in the pool (too young to swim by himself), swimmie diapers, diapers, wipes, sippy cups, snacks, toys, portable dvd player and dvd's for the long ride, etc...

Plus, while we are away, we wanted to have a major paint job done in our house.....so I also had to pack up everthing that was on counters, or dressers, on the walls, and put them away so the items wouldn't be covered in dust. (another job to add to my 'to do' list)

So by the time I got in the car on friday morning; loaded up with suitcases, bags, my husband and son, I was exhausted....mentally and physically. It literally took me a couple of days to finally relax and unwind.

But then I was doing the "I only have 5 days left.....I only have 4 days left....I only have 3 days left" in my head during the week. I didn't want to leave the oasis of the beach, with no traffic and no pressures, just dedicated one-on-one time with my family!

However, all good things must come to an end -- after a glorious relaxing week in the sun, surf and pool, we arrived back home on sunday afternoon to discover our house totally transformed! And I had to unpack from our trip, and unpack the boxes within our house.....to gear up for the week ahead.

That night I could hardly sleep, as I constantly addressed in my head all that I needed to do that week and everything that had to be taken care of.

There went the rest I enjoyed while away, as I got back on the treadmill!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Choosing a Pediatrician (FM)

One of the most important decisions that expectant parents can make, is choosing a pediatrician for their unborn child. This person will become a partner in raising a healthy child. From the day a baby is born, that child will be monitored by a pediatrician pretty closely for the first few years of its life.

Parents will want a pediatrician that will listen to their concerns, will be understanding of their caution regarding medicines and vaccinations, and will be available for questions at all hours of the day and night. That is why it is good to choose a Pediatrician that is part of a bigger practice, so that one office is open on the weekends, and there are doctors on call throughout the night -- as babies have been known to get sick on off hours.

Another point to keep in mind is the hospital that your Pediatrician is affiliated with, because you want your doctor to be able to come to the hospital the day that your baby is born.

It is also good for both parents to get to know their pediatrician so that both parents have a relationship with the one person that will be helping to keep their child healthy.