Unexpected Expat Lives

Mainly because of the globalization happening, where opportunities everywhere can be grabbed by anyone, it is not anymore unusual to find yourself living an expat life.

But what of Moms who aren't SAHMs and would still like to continue working instead of just staying home in a foreign country? Well, they are actually more than welcome to take advantage of relaxed policies when it comes to working abroad. Sure, companies will still screen you and all but more and more are willing to sponsor you and work visas are easier to get nowadays.

Hubs got a job in Massachusetts? Then submit those Boston resumes asap so arrangements for your interview can be made asap as well. Who knows, you may even land a job already before you and your family gets there and you need not worry overmuch about the conversion rates and your savings running out.

Lose Weight, Mommy

One of the issues women struggle with is weight loss, especially after a pregnancy.

Good thing there's breastfeeding, which helps us burn much, much more calories that it's easy to be back to our pre-pregnancy weight in just two months. Some even shed the weight in as little as two weeks (I lost 12 pounds in two weeks, 20 pounds in six weeks). Actually, when you start hitting those growth spurt months of three to six months after the birth, when baby's appetite gets ludicrously ravenous, you might even end up looking emaciated! Breastfeeding and all the lack of sleep got me to lose over forty pounds...

... so expecting Moms, you should really rethink breastfeeding as the only option!

Raising Son: Not-so-Urgent But Important

I am seriously having issues with time management and juggling time between my son and my schoolwork.

I actually have the option of standing my ground and letting him be attended to by my cousin every afternoon so I can do what I have to do. But that might also require me to leave the house everyday because when he sees me, he involves me. I get distracted with all the diapering/changing, feeding, running after him, playing with him, watching cartoons with him and teaching him tricks stuff that I cannot concentrate at all on schoolwork. Try reading "Teacher Education Guidelines: Using Open and Distance Learning" with a cute baby toddling up to you, to kiss you, or show you the latest thing he's put in his mouth.

Arggh.

Generally, I do get to study at night... but pulling an all-nighter affects my temper during the day. Plus, it just really doesn't do to be tired and sleepy when you have to attend to a toddler. That's just inviting accidents.

Anyway, some might say that playing with my son isn't a very urgent thing right now. And that would be true. But playing with him is a very important thing. Not doing so undermines the principle behind me quitting my job to stay home for him. Plus, he'd only be this sweet and cute for a short period of time... already, he is becoming less and less needy.

I know I should try harder to manage my time. But in my heart of hearts, I als know it wouldn't be, it shouldn't be, at the expense of my time with my son.

Post-Partum Angelina

It's being reported that Angelina has required medical attention from exhaustion over her twins.

For one, I really don't believe that they don't get all the help they need, mainly because they can afford it. But I also believe that Angelina Jolie tries to be as hands on as she can. She's one of the few celebs who I really think takes care of her kids, and not just uses them as fodder for paparazzi pics. And since she has six kids already, ages seven years old and below, i'd actually have been more surprised to see reports of her just cruising along through all of their demands.

Plus, I know how exhausting breastfeeding is. And how not all babies got to read the manual on sticking to schedules. Multiply that by two and post-partum depression is likely to get doubled as well.

I remember, during the first two months, I cried lots. Mind you, I still cry sometimes. But even then or now, despite all the exhaustion and bitterness, I really wouldn't want to not be a Mom again.

I love being Mom. I always wanted to be a Mom.

*~*

may I direct you to what I thought the best thing is about being a Mom?

New Credit Card Blog

My friend shared the link to me first. She was all rave and praises for this new credit card blog, because it is very useful for people looking for credit cards as there are so many to choose from.

So I checked it out and indeed, it can prove very useful for people who want to read reviews of the best credit card offers. I especially love all the 'Did You Know?' posts.

So Moms, do check it out. It's another internet tool for us budget-savvy species.

Mommies and Security

I know fathers are always bent on providing for their family. But I find that it's really the women who are adamant about security, their own and their kids'. So we're more likely to be the ones reviewing life insurance rates, education plans, credit card incentives and the ones more likely to keep an expense log.

Some Moms I know even maintain cash flow statements for their families. I also actually do, but I update it every three months or so.

And I know Moms like to shop but I also know for a fact that we're also big on savings. And medical insurance. And knowing where to get the money for bills and anticipated expenses. Our financial forecasting is legendary.

Which is why most Moms, though they'd really rather stay at home to raise their own kids firsthand, would opt to continue working because they like having a say in the cash in-flow, and do not want to be at the mercy of a one-income family and all the risks of being one.

So, although I am a SAHM, I really feel for those Moms whose hearts ache every morning as they leave their cuties behind. And I thank God everyday that I can enjoy my situation, that I am privileged to do so.

But that's not to say I don't deal with my own security issues. But generally... we have covered the more important bases.

Mompreneurs, do your research!

I know of moms who have turned into entrepreneurs, especially those who have quit their jobs to stay at home most of the time to spend more time with their babies. But with the economic problems affecting our nation, we're all inclined to seek part-time jobs and sidelines to make the family's budgeting and planning a little easier for us. After all, the less resources you have, the harder the budgeting and planning can be.

Anyway, the W@Wies I knew (who are N@Wies now) who are mompreneurs can do their research at a familiar place, or rather, event. The Wedding Expo in Manila would be a fabulously fun venue to see what's selling like hotcake and how they can improve their own services according to what's trendy and hip right now. Besides, Moms are the best people (biased opnion, I know) to cut costs without sacrificing quality and aesthetics, so they're sure to find ways to provide the same services/wares (or similar) at cheaper prices.

Hopefully, i'd see you Moms there!