Eight years ago, I ran a marathon with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Team in Training and I raised over $3000 for the organization. I am now training to run a 1/2 Marathon in New Jersey in May. I hope to raise twice that much this time! Anyone want to join me?

I would love to have Mom Corps be recognized for bringing in a huge donation. The first five people who support me with a donation of $100 or more will earn a 30 minute call with me for you or a friend. We can talk about your career, entrepreneurship, our jobs, our franchises or whatever else you'd like, within reason :)

Please use this link donate online quickly and securely. You will receive an email confirmation of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/nj10/aokelly

Thanks and I hope we can all make a difference in the world together!

Many of the Mom Corps team members saw this clip on this morning's Today Show - congrats to Stephanie the "Coupon Mom" for her feature! It has us all inspired to start clipping coupons... Are you making a resolution to save more money this year? What are your favorite cost-cutting strategies as a working mom?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

With swine flu dominating the headlines, there's lots of talk about how best to protect ourselves from this and other infectious diseases. Health experts continue to repeat what our mothers always told us: Wash your hands. It's among the most effective steps we can take.

Most of us hear this and think "yep, check, I do that." But in fact, too often we fall short when it comes to hand-washing and needlessly expose ourselves to germs and illness that might have been avoided with a bit more diligence.

Below are seven common hand-washing mistakes. How many do you make? (Be honest!)

1. Not washing often enough. In a telephone survey, 92% of adults said they washed their hands after using public restrooms. But when researchers watched, they found that only 77% of people actually did so. Clean your hands not only at obvious times such as after using the bathroom - or changing a diaper, handling garbage, or before eating, for example - but also anytime you've touched surfaces that might harbor germs. These include doorknobs in public places, gym equipment, and seats and poles on public transportation. And to protect others, don't forget to wash your hands after blowing your nose or coughing or sneezing into your hands.

2. Not washing long enough. Too often, we're in a hurry and devote too little time to the task. It's important to wash at least 15 to 20 seconds, which can seem longer than you think. If you're too impatient to count seconds, try following the advice given to kids and sing your ABCs.

3. Not washing thoroughly enough. Just sticking your hands under the faucet doesn't cut it. Use warm, running water and liquid soap or clean bar soap. Scrub all surfaces, including backs of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails. The scrubbing, along with running water, helps dislodge germs.

4. Relying on antibacterial soaps. The label "antibacterial" gives the impression that these soaps are more effective in killing germs, but actually they're not. Using them can be detrimental if it lulls you into a false sense of security and makes you less diligent about hand-washing. Also, there are concerns that antibacterial soaps may lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

5. Not drying your hands. If you leave the sink with wet hands - something many of us frequently do - you haven't completed the job. Germs thrive in moist environments, so you need to dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer. If neither is immediately available, try to locate a clean napkin or cloth and remove moisture as soon as possible.

6. Touching restroom surfaces after washing. Faucets and other surfaces in public restrooms are full of germs, so putting your clean hands on them can undermine even the best hand-washing efforts. After you wash, avoid contact with restroom surfaces by using a towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

7. Using ineffective hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers are a great option if you don't have access to soap and water. Not all products are effective, though. Some may smell clean, but they don't contain enough alcohol to kill germs. Look for brands that have at least 60 percent alcohol. Use about a half-teaspoon and rub over all parts of your hands until they're dry.

Think you have all this down? Try this fun interactive quiz to test your knowledge of hand-washing and germs in general.

While it's essential to be vigilant, we also don't want to get carried away and become paranoid about germs. Here's an entertaining take on the subject from comedian Brian Frazer. Enjoy.

Forbes Magazine recently took a look at how the largest 50 cities in the U.S. rank on what's important for working moms, including jobs, cost of living, health care, education, crime and public parks. Is your city on the list?

Click here to view the list!

When someone dies suddenly, or there's some other family crisis, loved ones often face an upheaval in their lives and terrible emotional strain.

In addition, whether the crisis is local or out of town, they're forced to manage an endless stream of decisions, planning, errands, details, logistics, etc. Many people end up exhausted and overwhelmed.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do..."

Here are six practical things you can do:

1. Provide or arrange transportation to and from the airport or train station. If the crisis is located in your local area, have your friend outsource transportation of his or her inbound friends and family to you (delegate to others as needed). Tell your friend to give out your name, telephone number and email address to everyone in need of transportation. It's important to communicate clearly and stay organized. Research options for those who prefer to rent vehicles or use taxi or car services.

2. Provide or arrange housing for incoming friends & family. Again, have your friend outsource all of this to you and give out your name, home & mobile phone numbers and email address to everyone in need of housing. Do some research and create a list with several options, outlining prices, proximity to relevant locations, availability, etc. Consider reserving a block of rooms at a group rate, though be careful to avoid a situation where you end up paying fees or penalties.

3. Provide baby-sitting/supervision/entertainment for children. Whether for your friend's own children or for the children of people visiting from out of town, this can be very helpful.

4. Answer the telephone at your friend's house. There may be more than a hundred calls per day during a crisis, many of which are simple requests for information (dates, addresses, directions, etc.). Managing even half of these calls can be extremely helpful. Depending upon your friendship and your friend's wishes for privacy, consider offering the same help with your friend's email.

5. House and care for your friend's pets. Your friend's pets might become a burden during a crisis. Make sure you are comfortable with the animals and able to properly care for them.

6. Be a chauffer "go-fer" and helping hand throughout the crisis. Get your friend's car washed & cleaned, pick-up groceries & dry cleaning, shuttle kids to school and activities, drive out-of-town people to and from locations, etc.

"Thank you so much for allowing me to help." These words will ensure your friend knows how sincere you are (many people have difficulty accepting assistance, even when it's badly needed).

From the publisher of "The It's All Right Here Life & Affairs Organizer"
by Mark Gavagan & Patricia M. Kimble, LCSWR
www.AffairsOrganizer.com

10 Things I Learned While My Kids were Tugging at My Suitcase

Business trips are rough on kids. Yet they are an almost inevitable part of a professional woman's career. Whether you travel often or just once in awhile, you, your kids, and the caretaker left behind are put to the test as you head out for the airport.

The defining moment for me was when my oldest daughter was three. I had traveled for work since she was born, but for some reason, this day – this trip – was different. She wailed. She pounded her tiny fists on the floor. She braced her little body against the front door. She was very clear – I was leaving and she was mad. The worst part was that after many good-byes, when I finally had to leave or risked missing the plane, she followed me out the front door and onto the driveway, begging me not to leave. Standing on my front porch, with my daughter back inside the house and the door locked so she couldn't follow me out again, I could still hear her crying. It broke my heart. I thought to myself that no child, or parent, should have to go through this.

I am not alone, unfortunately. Since the launch of my children's book, My Mommy's on a Business Trip, working parents across the country have been telling me similar stories. The guilt is enormous. So is the stress of trying to balance what needs to happen while you're gone with the work responsibilities you're headed towards. Not to mention that in today's times, if your trip is important enough to take you away from the office, you can't afford to be worried about what's going on back home.

There is a better way – for kids and their parents. Make your next trip easier on everyone, including you, by following these easy, no-tears tips:

• Plan for Fun – For trips longer than two nights away, arrange with the caretaker a special night out while you're gone – a trip to the movies, a play date with a special friend, pizza for dinner, etc. Activities will depend on the age of the child, but you'll know what your child holds special in his or her heart.

• Take Flight – If someone can drop you off, have the kids come with you to the airport to say good-bye (this works especially well with Sunday departures and if you live relatively close to the airport). Many kids find airports exciting and it will help them to visualize what you're doing. Moms love it, too, because of the last minute hugs and kisses they get.

• Prepare Together – A simple, but important thing to do is create or decorate a calendar to show your departure and when you'll be back home. Try something new - glue Hershey Kisses to the calendar for a special treat each day you're away.

• Pack Together – let your child/ren pick out a special stuffed animal or token you can take with you. One mom I spoke with has her three-year old pick out a special hair ribbon to tie on the suitcase, and it changes with every trip. BFF bracelets, or other special things that both you and the child will have while you're gone, help them feel connected to you.

• Create a Ritual – if you're gone often, ask the caretaker to do something with your kids that's extra special and only happens when you're away. It could be going to a special place or as simple as getting to sleep in sleeping bags on the living room floor.

• Be on the Lookout – Place special notes or cards in the children's room, on their car seats, in the arms of their favorite stuffed animal, and other creative places they're sure to see.

• Get Some Lipstick – If you won't be gone long, put on bright red lipstick and give the kids a great big kiss on their tummies – no one will know it's there but them! A preferred method for most dads: let the kids pick out a temporary tattoo and put it on them as a special reminder of you.

• Be Silly with Skype – with videoconferencing, you can play peek-a-boo, I Spy, read stories, or look at the calendar you made together and talk about when you're coming home. Have fun!

• Call Early – So often it's hard to catch the kids in the evening, with meetings running late or business dinners. Kids are often already asleep before you can make the call. Instead, call when the kids are just getting up. That's when they're in that lovey, snuggly mindset and you can start their day off with a smile. Kids won't talk? Try reading them their favorite story (be sure to pack a copy of the book in your suitcase!)

• Capture Their Minds – Show the child/ren where you are going and tell them how you're going to get there. Your goal is to position the trip as an exciting adventure you can't wait to tell them about when you get home. Once back, don't forget to share the fun – spend time talking about the famous or typical things you did in the area of the country/world where you were. Go over the maps again, pull out your camera, or bring home some postcards and really capture their imaginations.

Once the kids feel better about you being away, you'll feel better. As you head out the door for your next trip, feeling more relaxed and focused (thanks to these tips) you'll also start to see a glint of business travel's silver lining. Whether it's the fact that you'll get an uninterrupted night's sleep for once, or that the kids and their caretaker get some important bonding time, or that you're modeling for your kids how to handle a busy, successful career, there are lots of benefits to being away for a few days. What's critically important is that parents remember to position work always in a positive light – not something that is taking you away from your kids – as these young hearts and minds will eventually enter the workforce themselves one day.

Phaedra Cucina is the author of the highly acclaimed children's book, My Mommy's on a Business Trip. Available exclusively at: www.mommytrip.com.

When it comes to the economy, lately it feels like nothing but a barrage of bad news. And because of this ominous reality, I feel this topic, issue No. 1 for many people, requires a blog post from me to you. In just about every industry I'm aware of, layoffs are happening left and right. And usually the first thing that comes to a working mom's mind is "How do I tell my family?" And more specifically, how do you communicate this news to children?

We all know that prolonged changes in a child's routine can stress them out. So, for the few weeks or months you are job-hunting, take your child's schedule into consideration as you plan how to get back on your feet. Revising resumes, scheduling and going on interviews, making follow up phone calls; these are activities necessary to re-employment, but ones that are out of the norm in your family's life. And as we all know, kids pick up on the littlest things - our moods, changes in our routine, etc. They will sense that something is different, and while spending more time with Mom is always a good thing, it will need some careful explanation in order to make your child feel safe and secure.

In a recent post on Kaboose.com, Scott Reeves relates this professional advice from Carolyn Spigel, a licensed clinical social worker and career coach at New York-based Partners in Human Resources International. "Children are watching how you handle the situation. To feel safe, children need to hear you say unemployment is something that happens to many people at one point or another in a career," she says. "Normalize the transition for them by helping them understand that unemployment is a temporary situation - not a major disaster or parental weakness. Children need to see you handle the situation with confidence. This will help them learn that they, too, will be able to manage life's challenges."

Cindy Krischer Goodman emphasized age-appropriate honesty when telling children what unemployment means for the family in a recent MomsMiami.com post: "Susan Dandes, a child psychologist on the faculty at the University of Miami, says kids worry most about how the loss of income affects them. She suggests talking openly and using age-appropriate language.

"Little ones are happier with basic information. They want to know that they are going to eat tonight.' Older kids might require more information, she says. "You might want to talk about the economy and global issues, as well as how it affects your family.'

It seems the running theme here is honesty, with a touch of simplification if necessary, and a whopping dollop of confidence and optimism that your family will get through this situation.

Contributed by Jenn Dennard, http://jenniferdennard.blogspot.com and http://www.twitter.com/SmyrnaGirl.

From the moment your child emerges from the womb, begin working on understanding her language. As you observe her closely, notice every physical movement and gesture; with an open mind and heart try to intuitively sense what he is expressing. Does he want to shift his position? Does he want you to hold him? Does he want some space? Before placing your child in any one else's arms, be sure to read the physical way that your child either agrees or disagrees.

As you work on understanding your child, also work on cooperating with his will. This practice needs to go on throughout your child's life. Cooperate with the child's will to the extent that it is safe to do so and in line with the child's development of responsible self-direction. The sooner you begin, the more deeply and accurately will you understand your child, meaning that you will know how to relate with your child and respond to her behavior in line with her best interests and your parenting goals. If a stern in-law or other person insists that you ignore what your infant is expressing to "show him who's boss right away" and expect him to confirm totally to your will, let the unpleasant quality of your relationship with that person reveal to you how misguiding is this opinion. To follow it would be to begin a pattern of conflicting with your child, instigating your child's opposition or depressed resignation to having parents who just don't understand.

Practice communicating with your child in the attempt of conveying your messages to him. This may begin with the practice of "Shining Your Light". You do this by spending at least 15 minutes a day gazing directly upon your child's face as you express through your face your absolute adoration for him. Imagine the love pouring from your face into his heart, nurturing his heart and teaching him to be loving. This helps you to develop the attunement to your child's heart that will enable you to relate with your child compassionately throughout his life. By expressing your love to your child in this overt manner, you actually do teach your child to express her love and to attune to your heart and the heart of others.

Every time that you respond consciously and sensitively to your child you help your child to feel secure. You also teach your child, by your example, to be sensitive and responsive. Many mistakenly presume that if the child is too young to conceptualize and remember an experience, no learning from the experience goes on; but nothing could be further from the truth. In the first six ears of life the child's mind absorbs every influence of her surroundings and experiences at the deepest level, and those become embedded in the foundation of her developing personality.

Relate with your infant as your teacher. He offers you a lesson of how to surrender to the natural process of your own life. The infant fully entrusts himself to the natural process of life in the womb, and that trust continues until parents indoctrinate the child with the fearful belief that he must be in a state of hyper-control over the affairs of his life to be safe. But that hyper-control itself is an unhealthy way of living; the stress makes it intrinsically unsafe. Follow your child's innocent wisdom by living with trust in his ability and glorious potential, and in life's inherent goodness. This is a healthy way of living that is intrinsically safe.

Bob Lancer is a parenting, marriage, and work-life balance expert who presents keynotes, seminars and consultations around the world. He hosts the radio show, Bob Lancer's Parenting Solutions and he is the author of t he book, Parenting With Love, Without Anger or Stress. (boblancer.com)

As spring nears, are you wondering, "What is my child going to do this summer?" Rather than having your children hang around the house all day, consider sending them to a summer camp or program. Every mom hopes that this experience will expose their child to a variety of fun activities, new friends, and the opportunity to grow in an active environment. The question is how do you find the right place for your child? Here are four areas to examine as you begin your search for creating a fun summer experience:

1. Know your child. Speak to your child about what he/she would like to do and find out his/her interests. It might seem obvious, but some parents select a program that does not interest their child and then mom and dad wonder what went wrong with their choice. Parents should certainly guide their children, but start the process by examining their child's likes and dislikes. Does he/she like the great outdoors or does the first site of the wilderness make them run for the car? Day or sleep away? Activities, educational, or both? Encourage your child to stretch their limits, while remembering where their passions lie.

2. Research! Programs exist that offer traditional camp experiences, educational opportunities, trips, community service, and a whole variety of other options. If you took the time with step one, you narrowed the field quickly and can make quick use of the web and Google to find a host of summer opportunities. For traditional camps, visit the American Camping Association or a camp search engine such as www.kidscamps.com and you can quickly identify programs in your region that offer your child's interests.

3. Examine the program in depth. Find a time to visit the program and speak with someone who can answer your questions. Most places offer a tour by a full time staff member or the Director of the program. A camp should be able to share all of its policies and procedures with you and answer any questions that you might have regarding the program.

4. Let your child go. Once you have decided on a program, the next step is to let your child go and embrace the experience. The best way for him/her to gain the most of the summer is to let them simply live it. My own two children attend the summer program that I direct and I am tempted to check in with them constantly. Yet, I resist and patiently wait to see them at the end of the day. Then I can relive their day through their own words and wonderful facial expressions. Let them share their experiences and stories and you will feel the positive and stimulating effects of summer camp.

Happy Summer!

Noel Pardo
Director, Tabor Summer Program
www.taboracademy.org/summer

Parents, perhaps more than anyone else, require the loving spice of sexy affection that is romance passing between them. They won't die without it, if by life you mean only the active heartbeat that can be sustained through artificial, mechanical means. Romance is not essential to life like air, water, food, sleep and exercise, but it is a necessity for genuine matrimonial bonding. Friendship and love-making, humane teamwork, honest communication and giving one another space for regrouping are all integral to the thriving marriage, but no more so than the consistent nurturing of the romantic spark of secret infatuation that lives when it is shared.

The influence of romance in your marriage impacts your children deeply. A dearth of it drains you emotionally and encloses your sentiment with blank stares, making you seem inaccessible and therefore unreliable to your child. The child who feels this deficit of emotional bonding soon demonstrates an excess of difficult behavior. On the other hand, when spouses give play to their romantic sides, they bring the their own overflowing heart to their child, nurturing child's trust with bright, loving patience, unity and understanding that naturally inspires the child's most caring self-direction.

Beyond impacting your capacity to bond with your child, the quality of your relationship with your mate models the kind of relationship your child will form and gravitate toward. A marriage hardened by a lack of loving softness leads children to relate insensitively with others, with themselves, and toward their environment; and it often drives them to compensate by entering wildly fiery relationships that toss responsibilities to the wind.

Out of love for our child, then, we parents need to remember that parents need romance too, and most likely most of all. Romance may include flowers and candy, perfume and feathers, a dance on a date, but not necessarily. Those special eruptions of the internal, volcanic warmth that builds through mild affectionate interplay over time are just punctuations that occasionally mark the sentence of daily kindling. Romance grows through caring looks, soft kisses that may last only a second, a fleeting touch as you walk by that leaves both wanting more.

We adults often find it easier to trust young children with our hearts than other adults because in childhood adults intimidated us with the threat of their size. The conditioning of childhood shapes the personality for a long time, until self-work undoes the limitations. So we carry our childhood fears of other adults, until we confront them.

Confronting your fear of intimacy is the first real step to kindling, or rekindling, the spark of romance and claiming or retrieving a love-life. Take total responsibility for the way that you relate with your mate. If you cannot trust her, it is not she who needs to change. If you cannot lovingly look, touch, and embrace in a way that returns infatuation, it is not he who dams the flow of romance in your life.

How you see your mate is not your mate's responsibility. The attitude you express toward another is an experience you give to yourself. Don't wait for your mate to thaw your heart's frost. Engage the warmth of a giving look melt the barriers that protect only loneliness. It only takes a momentary glance that says, "You are safe with me." You are always free to set out in a new direction. One baby step is enough to soon hear yourself calling your lover "baby" once again.

Bob Lancer is a parenting, marriage, and work-life balance expert who presents keynotes, seminars and consultations around the world. He hosts the radio show, Bob Lancer's Parenting Solutions and he is the author of t he book, Parenting With Love, Without Anger or Stress. (boblancer.com)