6 Tips for Working at Home with a Baby

Tips for working at home with babies...

Since mid-December, I've noticed I've had an increasingly hard time getting my blogging done. (It probably has something to do with that beloved creature you see to the left.)

Maybe you, like me, watch (in awe) as other moms carry out their work duties with newborns or toddlers, or newborns and toddlers in the house, and wonder how in the world they do it.

Since we're all moms of babies, I figured I'd ask my fellow Baby's First Year bloggers to share a tip or two with me, products and practices included. My prodding uncovered a secret multi-tasking weapon I have yet to master: Breastfeeding while blogging.

Read on to find out how it's done, and to get a few get-work-done-with-baby pointers from some pretty awesome bloggers, if I do say so.

Danielle: My biggest pointer is GET STUFF DONE when the baby is sleeping. Like right now: Little one is napping and I am drafting my posts for tomorrow.

Related: 5 reasons to just say NO to unpaid work

Meredith: I write this as my 3-year-old naps in the other room and my 4-month-old alternatively sips from my breast and dozes in and out on My Brest Friend (it really is). I work early in the morning, late at night and on weekends. I also often have to ignore my kids, but I get my work done. It's not usually ideal, but I'd rather do this than put the baby in daycare (my older daughter is in preschool 3 days a week). "Having it all" just isn't possible, but I'm trying my best "have some."

Casey: I didn't start blogging here until my baby was about 3 months old, but I get mine in at night when my husband is home (he knows I need at least an hour each night if not two, but I write for 2 blogs as well, plus my own because I'm a masochist.) Naptime, weekends and in the dead of night if needs be, whenever I have a moment and feel like I can write. Also, if you're a pumper you must MUST get a hands free pumping bra.

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Madeline: I totally blog while nursing (I am nursing while I type this email, LOL). For me it was all about the Boppy. It helped support the babe so I could get my hands free to type. I also recommend writing (bits and pieces of posts, at least) on something really portable. I have a tablet that I start most of my posts on because it's so convenient!

Roni: I mostly blog when my baby is sleeping but sometimes I make him the subject. We sit on the floor with blocks and toys. My laptop and camera are both in arms reach so A.) if he does something cute I can capture and blog it or B.) if he gets really distracted or into something I can blog alongside while he plays. It's been working but lately he's too interested in my computer.

Crissy: I do my blogging with the baby in a Moby wrap, kicked back in a recliner, and I have a super lightweight Macbook Air that I put on my lap. From this position, I can shout commands at the 2-year-old and pray he listens!

Have a tip to share? Chime in below! I'll be working on my nursing-plus-blogging. Nogging? Blursing? You get the idea.

- By Ali Smith

For 3 more tips for working at home with a baby, visit Babble!

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Is Gay Marriage Good for Business?

By Daniel Bukszpan, CNBC.com

Washington state may soon join Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia as a state with legal gay marriage. Like Maine, the state has had a domestic partnership law in place for several years. However, Washington's Senate Bill 6239 would extend full marriage equality to same-sex couples, and according to the Associated Press, there are enough votes in the state senate for the measure to pass.

Gay Marriage Good for Business?

The bill has the support of several major companies -- but Microsoft, whose headquarters are in Redmond, is the most high-profile business to back it. And Brad Smith, Microsoft's executive vice president of legal and corporate affairs, says the law is essential to the company's competitive edge.

"As other states recognize marriage equality, Washington's employers are at a disadvantage if we cannot offer a similar, inclusive environment to our talented employees, our top recruits, and their families," he wrote.

Not everyone sees Senate Bill 6239 as a boon to state businesses. The National Organization for Marriage is mounting a fierce fight against it, as they have fought against similar legislation in other states. "NOM will not stand by and let activist politicians redefine marriage, the bedrock of civilization, without voters having a say," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. "Just as we mounted a People's Veto in Maine and were responsible for qualifying Proposition 8 to the ballot in California, we will make sure that voters in Washington have the ability to decide the definition of marriage for themselves."

Microsoft is not the first corporation to support gay marriage. Many of its supporters hail from corporate America, as was the case in New York, the last state to legalize gay marriage, in June 2011.

"Here in New York… people understand the business component of the argument for marriage equality," said Michelle Kristel, Executive Director of In The Life Media, the company that produces the "In The Life" gay and lesbian news program for PBS. She said the push for gay marriage in New York was successful in part because the business community convinced lawmakers that marriage equality would provide a competitive advantage for them over states that had no such provision for same-sex couples. "[Mayor Michael] Bloomberg and GOP donors such as hedge fund managers Paul E. Singer and Daniel S. Loen made very significant donations to the campaign for marriage equality," Kristel said.

Gregory T. Angelo, Executive Director of the Liberty Education Forum and Chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York, says support for the passage of the Marriage Equality Act came from "a broad coalition" that included major players in the business community, including Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs, Rochelle Lazarus of Ogilvy & Mather and Dick Parsons of Citigroup.

"These business leaders used the cache of their status and the pulpit afforded to them by the nature of their position to underscore the fact that marriage for all citizens of the state would be good for business, attract and retain qualified employees and ultimately lead to more revenues for New York," Angelo said.
He believes Microsoft's decision to support legal gay marriage in Washington State wasn't just a question of good timing. "They want a robust and competitive workforce, and they understand that support for equal rights for all of its employees -- and potential employees -- is the way to make that happen," Angelo said.

Although no one can say for sure what the fate of Senate Bill 6239 will be, Angelo believes the business argument for its passage is too strong to ignore. "At the end of the day it's simple math," he said. "A broader pool of employees makes for a stronger workforce, a stronger workforce allows a company to thrive, a thriving company will hire more workers and more revenue will be provided to the state. It's just good business sense."

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Oscar Nominations Are Out. Let's Hear it for the Ladies

Score! McCarthy earns herself an Oscar nom.

When was the last time a woman was nominated for an Oscar for farting and doing weird things with a sandwich? Bridesmaid's Melissa McMcarthy has definitely made history for her game-changing breakout role. She joins The Artist's Berenice Bejo, The Help's Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer and Albert Nobb's Janet McTeer in the best supporting actor category.

The nominations, announced early Tuesday morning, also included some regulars at the party. Meryl Streep earned her 17th Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. Glenn Close and Michelle Williams also landed on the best actress list. The Help's Viola Davis and Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara rounded out the category.

It's a man's world behind the camera, at least as the Oscar voters see it. Bridesmaid's Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo earned a nod for best original screenplay. Bridget O'Connor is on the adapted screenplay bill for Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, but that's it for the ladies in terms of writing or directing nods.

Best picture noms War Horse and Moneyball both have female co-executive producers. Brad Pitt, who's also nominated in the best actor category for Moneyball, is probably pretty excited about the best picture nod he might claim as a co-executive producer. (Movie buff question: Is Brad our generation's producer/star/powerplayer version of Warren Beatty?) Angelina did not get a nomination so he's going to have to tread lightly at home. But his bestie George Clooney is joining him in the Best Actor category. If Clooney wins, Brad will probably be the subject of another doting speech about how he's changing the world so that's good for him.

Only two ditties were nominated for original song, none of them were by Madonna. One is from the Muppets. Which reminds me: Piggy got shafted.

For a complete list of Oscar Nominations and a guide to the biggest awards show of the year, check out Yahoo's Academy Awards hub.

At-Work Wellness Boosts the Bottom Line

By Jennifer Leigh Parker, CNBC.com

The real motivator for Americans to get fit at work isn't smaller jeans - it's a bigger bank balance.

Survey results show that employers who invest in wellness programs see increased employee retention, attendance, …

Employees enrolled in workplace wellness programs report reduced personal healthcare costs, most commonly because of fitness center discounts and free preventative screenings, according to the findings of a recent survey by Principal Financial Group.

While the survey does not quantify the dollar amount of costs saved per employee, Principal's research does attempt to do so on the corporate level.

Survey results show that employers who invest in wellness programs see increased employee retention, attendance, and productivity. The numbers show that medical costs improve "by an average of $3.27 and absenteeism costs improve by an average of $2.73 for every dollar spent on wellness."
Thus far, large corporations have led the charge.

"We get gym discounts, and flu shots in-house. Our health insurance coverage is also quite good. But I couldn't imagine a large corporation not providing group health insurance benefits to employees," Sheri Appel, treasury director for Swiss Re, a global reinsurance company, tells CNBC.

According to Principal Financial's survey, small- and mid-sized businesses are trying to catch up: just ask their employees.

Of the 1,121 wellness program participants surveyed, over half said they are more productive as a result; 40 percent agreed that wellness programs encourage them to stay with their company, and over a third said they have missed fewer days of work.

While it's a step in the right direction, these employees also voiced discontent. The most common wellness benefit employers provide is online information. These employees prefer their benefits be within reach.

"There is a misalignment. Most employers offer online wellness information, and educational resources. Employees want more hands-on, tangible rewards, like access to nutritionists, and onsite fitness facilities," says Lee Dukes, president of Principal Wellness Company, a subsidiary of the Principal Financial.

The costs of hiring on-site personnel are of course larger than online software, but it is an expense employers should seriously consider, says Dukes.

For disclosure's sake, Principal Financial is a provider of retirement savings, investment and insurance products and services. They are incented to find ways to keep clients' insurance claims low and workers healthy.

But improved health has proven to be a win-win for each party involved, as the best in-practice way to reduce rising health care costs. "We help employers ensure their employees are healthier, more productive, and most importantly - at work," said Dukes.

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Don't Get Ripped Off on Repairs

By Melanie Abrahams, REDBOOK

No offense, repair guys, but we don't always trust your fuzzy math. So we asked three Ms. Fix-Its how a sister can avoid getting suckered.

THE #1 CAR-REPAIR RIP-OFF: engine work. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that auto shops - one of the 10 most complained-about industries last year - routinely charge customers for replacing engine parts they never even touched! BEAT THE SWINDLE: Tell your mechanic that you want to see any parts they remove and replace. "That way, they have to come clean about exactly what they did under your hood," says Bogi Lateiner, owner of 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix. And visit repairpal.com, where you can find the reasonable price range for many common fixes at shops in your city.

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THE #1 PLUMBING RIP-OFF: leaky pipes or faucets. Many plumbers will stick you with a higher bill claiming that the original estimate was for "labor only" and didn't include travel and parts. BEAT THE SWINDLE: Ask for all costs in writing up front. Also, buy any new parts yourself. "Some plumbers will charge you $100 just for a trip to Home Depot," says Mitzi Smith Moore, president of Sundial Plumbing in Atlanta.

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THE #1 ELECTRICIAN RIP-OFF: rewiring when you've got a short. "We've heard many customers complain that electricians replace only a few faulty wires properly, and the problem returns days later," says Angie Hicks, founder of the review service Angie's List. "Then they charge you to fix it again." BEAT THE SWINDLE: "Always ask for a warranty on the work," says Anna Procaccini, president of Anna's Electric in Dallas. The BBB says any reputable electrician should offer at least a 30-day guarantee.

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Permissions: Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

One Word Guarantees They’ll Say Yes

There is one word that will undoubtedly get you on the way to that job interview, or a meeting with a prospect or referral source - even a potential investor. This magical word will work for you when you use it in person, on the phone, in an email subject line, a text or a social media message. It's that good.

There's a caveat of course. You can't just hurl this magic word or use it disingenuously. You can't demand, cajole, nag or otherwise be irksome. You have to really mean what you're asking for, with all your heart.

The magic word is "guidance."

The caveat is that you must have honest curiosity about the subject - and no tinge of entitlement, irritation, or frustration. When you approach someone with a request for guidance, you may be expressing a bit of self-doubt, concern or just feeling unsettled by something you have experienced. You might even have a smidgen of hope or optimism in your tone. But, you can't have or express any intention of taking advantage of the resource (the person you're asking) or take a hard turn toward asking for anything more than guidance (for which you might prepare a number of questions that you really want answered).

Guidance - even more than advice - implies that you have specific questions or a problem that you can describe but can't overcome on your own. Guidance means you have an ardent desire to sit with someone more experienced or with a broader reach than you could possibly have on your own.

Think of guidance, as mentoring's little brother. What's particularly amazing is that you can ask for guidance from complete strangers. And even more fantastic? It's nearly impossible to get turned down. Of course, being humble, patient and grateful would be the winning trifecta.

It really is that simple. Here are some examples.

"Would you be able to give me some guidance on solving a problem I'm having?"

"I'm kind of stuck right now, and I'm hoping you might be able to give me some guidance about my job search."

"There's something that's a bit of a mystery to me about working in this industry, and I wonder if you could give me some guidance on what I might be missing."

"I've taken a class in your field of expertise, and I'd like to ask you for some guidance about how I could begin to approach a career like yours."

"I hope you won't mind my asking for some guidance from you."

So this magic word "guidance" is a huge door opener. It can be a game changer for you because it's so respectful and deferential; the object of your request might go way beyond answering your question. You may get a whole lot more. By that I mean, they might take you on as a cause, get you introductions and land you exactly where you were most hoping to go.

So use the word guidance with all due respect, and get the yes that can change your life.

Author:

Nance Rosen is the author of Speak Up! & Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen