Kori Rodley Irons's comments

Take Your Home Business Seriously, or They Won't - Blog Entry

20 Jan 2007 06:19 PM

These are good suggestions! I refer to the process as "training" people to understand that you are working--even if you're not heading off to a job. I've been at it long enough that people now get a little sheepish as they think I work far more than the average person instead of "not really working." You're absolutely right that we have to take outselves seriously and set the example that we are still hard-working professionals--with schedules, customers/clients, deadlines, AND the bookkeeping of running our own businesses. And, you're right--no one wants to hear a fussy child--or a snarky teenager. We have caller i.d. on every phone and my kids have been threatened--if it's not for them--don't pick it up! My voice mail also identifies myself and my business and until I can afford a separate line for family and one for business--work comes first during "business hours."

I think that people are becoming increasingly understanding that more and more people telecommute--but we still have to present ourselves as serious business people--even if we are working in our slippers!

Do You Clean and Disinfect Your Child's Toys? - Blog Entry

18 Jan 2007 12:57 PM

Good suggestions! Yes, things have be dried well or they do get icky--thanks for the clarifications and further ideas!

Going Back to School - Blog Entry

17 Jan 2007 12:10 PM

I went back to school in my late thirties and finally finished my undergrad at the ripe old age of 38--after a divorce, and as a full time working mom with three kids. It's all a blur, but I'm glad I finally accomplished it. One term I actually took 29 credits--going both the university and picking up a couple necessary courses at our community college at the same time. For me, once I made the decision to do it, I just put my head down and stuck it out. Good for you and contratulations! I think taking the leap and the risk is the hardest part, but once you get going, you find a way to make it work.

How to Stay Healthy at the Office - Blog Entry

17 Jan 2007 12:05 PM

I'm a big big believer in the classics--neurotic hand washing, and lots of vitamin C--I bring oranges and other citrus fruits to work every day to munch on during the winter. And, I confess I use a disinfectant spray on my own telephone at work--just in case someone uses it or picks it up (which does happen).

Birthday Parties- Are Some Parents Going Too Far? - Blog Entry

16 Jan 2007 11:33 AM

There's a reality show on VH1 or MTV or some channel geared toward a young audience about rich kids and their "Sweet 16" birthday parties. It's really quite out of control and, well, obscene. We're talking rented hotels, DJs and live bands, ball gowns and formal wear. Oh, my. I thought the preschool years were tough! That's when we started the family tradition of choosing an "activity" to do instead of a party. The kids could then choose a guest or two or three to come along, if they wanted--we've been on camping trips, an afternoon at the wave pool, even a concert (one of my daughter's wanted to see Jackson Browne for her 11th birthday)--the birthday became about each child getting to do something special that he or she chose, and not impressing the peer group with a party.

Parents- Control Your Kids' Behavior In School Or You May Have To Pay A Fine - Blog Entry

16 Jan 2007 11:08 AM

I really, truly agree with babydawn. I know that people are eager to blame the parents for anything and everything when the kids are young (or forever, really) and yet our kids really are independent, separate, complicated creatures. I have friends who work in juvenile and youth services and they will be the first ones to tell you that, yes, some of these kids come from "troubled" families--but plenty of them are making personal choices that are NOT a reflection of parenting (we could just as likely blame peer pressure, rock music, teachers who are unable to control their classrooms, white sugar, caffeine, or any number of trendy diagnosis.) I have one teenage daughter who has made all sorts of questionable choices through the years and had behavorial problems in school and in the community (all of my kids have actually made mistakes, and I'm inclined to think we are not a rare family.) And, while I am certainly human and a flawed mom--I've still been involved and attentive. Often I'm the one requesting the conferences and meetings and consequences with the school and not the other way around. I volunteered in classrooms, helped with homework, set consequences, led the Girl Scout troop, paid for and attended the counseling sessions, and coached many of her sports teams--not to mention taking her to music lessons, dance class and art courses. She's neither abused, nor ignored. I'm certainly not finished with my job as parent, but at some point things are "bigger" than just "blame the parent." I also don't think that spanking is a reasonable alternative, nor a representation of perfect parenting. If it "takes a village" to raise a child, then we have to stop playing the blame game and pull together to support parents and kids and find solutions. Raising kids takes time, bumps, mistakes and teamwork.

Allowing Your Child To Fail - Blog Entry

05 Jan 2007 01:55 PM

One of my daughters made this statement about a year ago: "Just because I fail doesn't mean I'm a failure." Amen. My biggest growth spurts have happened when I bumbled and stumbled. I think failure can guide us on our true paths...

The Good, the Bad, and the Inappropriate: Banning Books from Your Child's School Library - Blog Entry

30 Dec 2006 05:22 PM

I am an absolute purist when it comes to freedom of speech and unwaiveringly against banning any books, knowledge and information. I know for a fact that I wouldn't be the person I am today without the incredible collection of books I've devoured since I was tiny--the good, bad, ugly, scary and incredible. It's a big, diverse, complicated world and I think more harm has been done due to fear and ignorance than from reading a book. Public schools are still public institutions and are paid for by tax dollars. Some of the greatest books and finest authors (in my opinion) have been on the chopping block throughout history by people who wanted to ban their scary contents. I have a little pin that says "I read banned books" and I hope my kids will continue to be adventuresome and risky in their reading--reading stuff we don't agree with and figuring out why can be a more meaningful experience than just reading the easy stuff we DO agree with. For me, it's not about what the majority wants to read or who complains and barks the loudest--we need minority voices in our libraries too (yes, even school libraries), unpopular voices, ugly, scary and unpopular voices--not just those that are sanctioned and "approved" by the cultural, moral and taste police.

Santa Claus is Coming To Town - Blog Entry

25 Dec 2006 12:40 PM

My kids were all savy and wise enough to feel scared of Santa. He was a big, scary, loud stranger to them and I "got" that it didn't make sense that they should put aside their natural apprehensions and self-regulating skills one time a year to climb up on a stranger's lap in public--so I didn't push the mall Santa experience on them. When they got a little older--early elementary age--they tried out chatting with Santa but sitting on the lap was out. I was okay with that. This didn't mean they didn't believe in Santa--they did when they were younger, but as my daughter said about the whole mall Santa thing, "It was creepy" and I had to respect that.

New Uses for Old Towels - Blog Entry

25 Dec 2006 12:29 PM

Another great use for old towels--turn them into washcloth puppets for small children to use in the bath. If you have some sewing skills, this can either be done by hand or on a machine. You can draw your own pattern or borrow one from a book, the internet, or regular puppet patterns. These can be as simple or as fancy as you're inclined to make them--embroidering details, faces, etc. This can even be a fun projects for kids who are a little older to help with.