Looking for affordable Ballet Shoes? Body wear? You can find it all in a discount dancewear store. Exciting and attractive dancewear is in demand and is the passion of dancers all over the world. And the reason for that is simple: Without dancewear, dancers feel dull and uninspired. In fact, dancers have been buying dancewear for years, and many have closets full of their dancewear. If you are careful in your selections you will certainly enjoy your new dancewear

Beginning dancers often buy discount dancewear because the prices are low. Of course, beginners will start with only a few dancewear outfits, but that’s all right. As their passion for dancing develops, their dancewear outfits will increase. Beginners should ask where discount dancewear is sold. As time goes on, they will be able to find the best stores. The initial cost of dancewear can be high, however. There are a lot of dance shoes, costumes, liturgical wear that are needed, but you can often find discounts.

You can find the best discount dancewear in your local stores. If you look around, you will find shops and boutiques that have lowered their prices considerably. If you find a shop that offers the lowest prices, continue visiting so as not to miss more bargains. Most discounted dancewear originally sold for a lot of money. In some case, the discounted dancewear that you find is brand new. The discount is to move the items out of the store so the owners can restock with new outfits. Sometimes you can find discount dancewear with a savings of as much as 50% off the original price. Even a 25% discount will save you a lot of dollars.

When you are buying discount dancewear, be keen and wise. Some shops and stores may be offering discounts because the dancewear has flaws in it. You should examine and look at the dancewear closely. Don’t be fooled. Stay within your budget as well. If a discounted dancewear looks old be careful. It may have been in storage for a long time. It you come across something like this, ask for a discount. Also if the dancewear is out of style, it should be discounted heavily. If not, pass on it.

Another good place to buy discount dancewear is through the Internet. Most dancers have purchased their dancewear through the Web. If you are looking for a variety of dancewear with great deals, go online.

Online shopping for dancewear is the best choice to shop because it allows you to choose from thousands of dancewear outfits from all over the world. You can also compare prices and look for the ones that offer the best deals. So why wait? Find your discount dancewear today!

Hannah Roberts has an interest in Dance Wear. To access more articles on Dance Wear’s or for additional information and resources visit this Dance Wear related website


10.01.2010. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Despite warnings about the risks, people continue to flock to tanning beds. Tanning bed lotions are a necessary accessory, whether you are a regular tanner or just trying to get a good base tan before the summer holiday season or for a vacation. Lotions come in a variety of formulas for every skin type. Cooling lotions help keep the skin cool in the bed. After tan lotions extend your tan and can help shorten the time you need to spend in a bed to maintain your tan.

Benefits of Using Tanning Bed Lotions

Lotions help regulate the amount of UVA and UVB rays that are absorbed into your skin. Your skin absorbs more rays in less time. This allows you to limit your exposure to the rays and still get the tan you want. Moisturizing lotions add moisture to your skin. This helps prevent some of the drying effects of beds. Since moisturized skin tans faster, you will achieve your desired color faster and your tan will last longer.

You should use the best lotion http://www.tanning-lotions-tips.com/tanning-bed-lotions.html that you can afford in the bed. The type of tanning bed you are using and your skin type help determine which lotion is best. Light, medium or dark skin tones require different lotions. Using a lotion intended for experienced tanners on fair skin can be disastrous. The salon owner can help you choose the right lotion for your skin type.

Products for indoor tanning come in lotion, crme, gel or oil forms. As long as the product is right for your skin type and the bed you will be using, the rest is a matter of preference. The preparation isn’t as important as the ingredients, so learn to read the labels.

Ingredients in Tanning Bed Lotions

The best products contain natural ingredients to stimulate your tan and nourish your skin. Look for as many natural botanicals, plant extracts and vitamins as possible. Each has a different purpose.

Amino Acids

Just about all lotion or crme products contain amino acids. They stimulate the production of melanin in your skin. The action of the amino acids produces the tanning effects. The most commonly used amino acid is tyrosine.

Moisturizer

The moisturizers in lotions help reduce the drying effect the UVB rays in the bed have on your skin. Look for rich, natural moisturizers, like aloe or hempseed oil. These are in both suntan lotions and after tan formulas.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants help prevent the fine lines and wrinkles that result from UV exposure during tanning. Vitamin E and grapefruit extract are common antioxidants found in lotions.

A Safer Alternative to Tanning

People are becoming concerned with the safety of tanning, either in a bed or in the sunshine. UV exposure during tanning has been linked to skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. The only safe alternative to getting the color you want is a fake tan. There are pills that are said to give you a tan, but there is controversy over their effectiveness. The best way to get a completely safe tan is a sunless tanning spray ( http://www.tanning-lotions-tips.com/sunless-tanning-products.html ).

You can apply a sunless tanner at home, or you could go to a spa or salon for spray on tanning. In the salon, you stand inside the booth and the tanner is applied with either spray nozzles built into the booth or with a hand held airbrush unit by a technician. Mystic Tan and Sunshower are common brands for booth tanning.

Ciara McNamara reveals frequently for www.tanning-lotions-tips.com . Within the site Ciara is specializing in tanning bed lotions .


29.11.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

I think that one of the most exciting times in a little girl’s life is her first visit to a jewelry store. Then again, I think that a lot of women never grow out of that feeling of excitement either! There is something magical about looking at all of the sparkling pieces glittering in the jewelry store window, even if you cannot afford to buy everything that you see.

My youngest daughter’s face lit up when she saw all of the lovely children’s items when I first took her to a jewelry store. When we went inside she felt like a princess being able to try on all of the bracelets and necklaces with cute designs and the jewelry store workers seemed to enjoy the experience of watching her almost as much. When we left the jewelry store with her new bracelet safely wrapped up she was clinging onto the bag as if it was the most precious thing in the world. She still has that bracelet even now, although it has long since gotten too small for her to wear, and it reminds me of that first trip we took to the jewelry store together.

Of course, a jewelry store can also be an extremely romantic place. Sound strange? Well, think about it. How many couples go to a jewelry store together to pick out their wedding rings? I know how electrifying it felt when my fianc? and I went to choose our wedding rings and finally found a jewelry store that had the perfect ones in their window. When we went inside we both had a feeling that this was going to symbolize the start of our new life together and the jewelry store played an important part in that.

I guess it doesn’t matter what you buy in a jewelry store they always seem to have an air of something special about them. It might be the fact that there are a lot of expensive items around and everything is shimmering with that newly-cleaned look that only jewelry store workers seem to be able to achieve!

Sometimes it is easy to feel a little underdressed, especially when you enter some of the more exclusive types of jewelry store that you have to ring a bell to be let into but I love them all the same. I must admit that I am not a big jewelry wearer but I do like to have a couple of nice pieces for special occasions and often take a look around the local jewelry store when I need cheering up. It might sound silly but maybe you should try it too - all that brightness around me certainly seems to rub off and raise my spirits.

Find more information and tips about jewelry by visiting www.jewelry-guru.com


22.05.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Gold is one of the metals taken from the earth and is probably the first metal known to man. Its first use has been traced back to 3600 B. C. and was probably originally obtained in Egypt, as the ancient methods of obtaining gold in Egypt are illustrated in early rock carvings. It is said in the book of Genesis that Abraham, in the twentieth century B. C., when he went out of Egypt, was very rich not only in cattle but in gold and silver both in dust and ingots. In Exodus xxv, 29, we read that Moses was commanded by the Lord to make spoons of gold for the Tabernacle. In the writings of Homer, Sophocles, Herodotus, Pliny and others, gold is frequently mentioned.

Gold is widely distributed in nature and is found in many ways and in all parts of the world. It is found in water, in the ice of Alaska, in the sand of South Africa, and in the quartz of Colorado, and is frequently found native, though usually alloyed with silver or iron. The purest specimens of native gold have yielded from 96 to 99 per cent, pure metal.

It is remarkable that all of the races of mankind have selected gold as the first and chief representative of value. In the earliest times it was used as a medium of exchange in the form of bars, spikes and rings; the rings could be opened and closed so that a chain could be made for convenience in carrying. Gold was also used at a very early period for the construction of personal ornaments, as the savage found it easy to beat out the pure ore into circlets to adorn his limbs. The universal use of gold in preference to all other metals is due to its many properties; its color and luster, its malleability and its indestructibility. Gold does not tarnish nor can it be destroyed. It may be reduced to a liquid and the liquid transferred to a powder, and the powder when melted in a crucible returns to its natural state. It is the most malleable of all metals and has been hammered into leaves 1-282,000th of an inch thick. An ounce of gold may be drawn out into a wire fifty miles long. The tenacity of gold is seven tons per square inch.

Pure gold, being too soft for all ordinary purposes, is generally alloyed with other metals. Silver and copper are the principal alloys used, although iron is used in small quantities for different purposes. Pure silver has a brilliant white color and is the whitest of all metals. No metal surpasses silver in its luster and hardness it ranges between pure gold and pure copper. It is more fusible than copper or gold, melting at a bright red heat or at 1873F. It is commonly used for the purpose of alloying gold in its pure state, but if too much is added it makes the gold pale. Pure copper is the only metal that has a reddish appearance. It is both malleable and ductile; hence it is very useful as an alloy for gold.


10.05.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Summer is the season of fun at the beach and there is plenty of sunlight making it imperative to put on sun protective swimwear . Whilst the great pastime time during this period is sun bathing, the greatest danger lurking along beaches and swimming pools is ultra violet rays from the sun.

Ultra violet rays are emissions from the sun that has the potential of causing damage to unprotected skin surface.

Sun protective swimwear are clothing that we put on to fend off the negative effects that these radiations can have on the body.

The manufacture of sun protective swimwear is an elaborate process. Although the clothes themselves are made up of ordinary, everyday fabrics, it is the lining and the special treatment of the clothes that turn them into sun protective swimwear.

One technology is to use durable, breathable, lightweight, and very comfortable fabric with a 4-way stretch. The inner part of the fabric is lined with the ultra violet light protective coating. If the sun protective swimwear is going to be used for swimming in a pool, then it is made from chlorine resistant swim fabric.

For people who are highly sensitive to sunrays or photosensitive skin or skin cancer, the choice is high-SPF clothing. These contain containing colorless compounds, and treated resins that absorb ultra violet light.

The essence of sun protective swimwear is to reflect as much as possible, the dangerous ultra violet rays from the sun as much as possible. This means, shiny, silky or reflective clothing are the best.

Another technique is to use tightly woven micro fiber containing enhanced titanium dioxide which diffuses ultra violet light and CoolMax mesh to ensure ventilation and moisture management.

There are several types of sun protective swimwear available. There are some for babies, some for men and some for women. Between these we have ordinary and high end designer swimwear. Although all of them have the protection against the sun, there are vast differences in quality of fabric, design and appearance.

There are some sun protective swimwear that cover the entire body and some that are just top wear, shorts or pants.

With the high end fashion, you can have two, three and even sometimes four piece sun protective swimwear with a hat or sunglasses to match.

Of increasing popularity are men’s sun protective swimwear comprising of a shirt, shorts and matching glasses. These products are both in the regular version and high end fashion.

Before we get on to why we need sun protective swimwear , it may be helpful to look at ultra violet rays. Ultraviolet rays (UV) or radiation is the invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation can damage the skin, cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. There are two types of UV rays - there is the UVA which causes ordinary sun burn and the UVB which penetrate deeper into the skin to cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer.

Physiologically, overexposure to UV radiation can disturb the body’s immune system and the skin’s natural defenses.

Sun protective swimwear offers you a kind of filtering against these harmful rays. People most susceptible to these rays are those with light clothing and in areas where there is no overhead protection like the beach. Sun protective swimwear is also needed during summer when the sun shines a lot and consequently emits more ultra violet rays.

If you are interested in the stats,

• 1.3 million New cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year.
• One in five Americans will contract skin cancer.
• Malignant melanoma, the worst form of skin cancer, has increased 1,800% since 1930

It is likely that many patients can save themselves the discomfort of these illnesses by putting on some sun protective swimwear .

You need to exercise a lot of discretion in buying protective swimwear.

Sun protective swimwear is categorized per UPF rating. UPF is the amount of radiation that can pass through the clothing. For example, a fabric with a UPF rating of 15 will permit one fifteenth of the UVR to pass through it and a UPF 20 fabric, one twentieth of the UVR to pass through it. What this mean is, depending your skin sensitivity, you will go for the clothing that suits your skin type, and of course, how long you will be exposed to the sun.

It is also important to consider weave type. Generally, the tighter the weave or knit, the better the protection against the sun.

The less the light that can pass through the clothing, the better. To test porosity, you can hold the sun protective swimwear against the sun and see how much light comes through.

Darker clothes should also be preferred against lighter clothes.

The price of a sun protective swimwear ranges from $49.95 upwards and there are several shops offering regular and high end fashion sun protective swimwear.

Sun protective swimwear can be pretty expensive and therefore need a lot of care to prolong their life. Here are a few tips on how to care for them:

Avoid oil-based suntan lotions which can stain the fabric and cause it to stretch. Stretching increases porosity and consequently permits more UV light to come through.

Soak clothes in vinegar to prevent fading which permits more light to come through the clothes.

Chlorine can interact with the sun protective swimwear and damage it. Try to soak your body wet before jumping into the pool to minimize the chemical reaction with the chlorine in the pool.

Enjoy the sun, tan as you want but be mindful of the danger of UV - put on your sun protective swimwear and save your beautiful skin.

For more swimwear information, please visit www.beach-gear.info


6.05.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

In Part 1 of this series of articles I discussed female home buying trends in the US and things women commonly consider when making an important real estate purchase. In Part 2, I would like to continue this discussion from an investment, relocation and selling perspective. Women are now beginning to invest in real estate to improve their portfolios. The purchase of a second home, rental property or rehab project are all ways to build an investment history. In recent years the stock market has been unpredictable while real estate has continued to appreciate. Even though the real estate market does not grow as fast it is more stable over the long term, this appeals to many female investors. Female homebuyers and sellers have begun to recognize that a home can be the cornerstone of a personal financial strategy to build wealth and security.

It’s Tool Time Ladies!

Stop in to any Lowe’s or Home Depot and you are sure to find all types of women. Tools, light fixtures, rakes, paint; you name it and women are buying it. One of the biggest responsibilities for a homeowner or investor when rehabbing, renovating or upgrading is home maintenance. A 2003 Forrester Research study revealed that almost half of all purchases made at Lowe’s and Home Depot are made by women. Trends suggest women are not afraid to make a home maintenance commitment in order to have a higher return on their investments. In 2004 Sears did a study that reported sixty-nine percent of female homeowners considered themselves somewhat handy with home maintenance projects and seventy percent said they enjoyed doing home repairs. A home is a large asset and women are not afraid to maintain and increase the value of this asset. Currently, women can purchase a variety of home repair and renovations books and videos created and tailored just for them.

Climbing The Ladder and Relocation

Across the country in cities everywhere women are accepting executive level, professional jobs. Many women are dedicated to the advancement of their careers and to do so they move in order to accept higher level positions. It is situations like this that inspire a female homebuyer to become investment savvy. Knowledge, strategy, clearly defined goals and trusted real estate professionals are the key to success. Purchasing a home in an area you know will be in demand in the future, realistically assessing the necessary repair work and careful planning will help you make money rather than lose. Remember, the three main reasons a property does not sell are location, price and condition. Consider the weaknesses and strengths of a property and make an educated decision.

Retirement and Downsizing

A series by Jean Chatzky, an editor for Money Magazine, called “Today’s Money For Women” was featured on the Today Show in 2004. She began her series with this quote, “You’ve probably heard that thanks to divorce and the fact that women outlive men, ninety percent of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives.” Many women after retirement find themselves living alone for the first time and often they are still living in a home made for a family. As time goes by the cost, physically and financially, of maintenance and upkeep are taxing and it is time to downsize into a home better suited to your needs. Choosing a real estate professional that listens and is attentive to your individual situation is essential, as well as having support from friends and colleagues.

Tips For Female Sellers

All sellers should keep some important tips in mind. First, watch your neighborhood and keep track of what sells and the price. Second, be certain to make all of the necessary repairs or upgrades. Consider having a pre-inspection and always complete a termite moisture check. Third, choose your upgrades wisely. Think from the buyer’s perspective. Fourth, be certain you have enough money to cover the closing costs when the sale is final. Don’t complete the sale owing money. To read more articles on topics related to selling homes please visit VoncannonRealEstate.com and peruse articles like “Bring It To The Bank: Renovations and Upgrades”, “Increase Your Buying Power With Capital Gains Reinvestment”, and “The Seller’s Guide To The Buyer’s Eye”.


4.05.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

You’re in the market for your wedding rings. You’ve put alot of thought into them, and you don’t want the plain bands everyone else is wearing. You want something different, more unique. Here’s some ideas to toss around.

You can have custom bands done by a jeweler. You could pick a theme that’s important to both of you. Or you could just choose a style and design you both like. When you choose your jeweler make certain he is creating a one of a kind set for you and then disposing of the mold. Otherwise, your unique bands won’t be unique for long. Choose a design and style that fits your likes and lifestyle. It will give a hint of your personality and make your fashion statement!

You can choose a different mix of metals. Titanium has become very popular, as has stainless. You might find something a little different in these metals. They won’t be truly unique, but they won’t be common either. You can also choose from white gold, platinum, gold, sterling, and a host of mixes.

Celtic bands have become very popular, offering a host of various celtic knots. Dragon bands have also gained popularity. There are some very unique and unusual Celtic Bands on the market. They are works of art with plenty of history tied to the designs.

Engraving on the bands has become very popular. In the past one might engrave something on the inside of the band, but these days inscriptions are being engraved on the exterior as well. Today bands are being engraved, on the inside, outside, center, where ever you wish. Engraving has become an art form onto itself.

Wanting to engrave them, but don’t want them to say the same old thing you always see like your wedding date, or I love you. Then come up with your original saying or inscription. Something that is important to you.

Here are a few more unusual inscriptions you might want to consider. Amor VIncit Omia [latin - love conquers all], Now & Forever, From This Moment On, Mon Coeur est a vous [French - my heart is yours],

If your looking for something funnier try - Nonrefundable, All sales final, Or I can’t return him/her I lost the manual. Something simpler, try your wedding date with your initials, how about the title of your wedding song, or the title of your favorite song, My best friend, Love is Eternal. Symbols work nicely also.

Some of the more common engravings are - all my love, my love forever, with all my heart, the date of your wedding with your names, just your names, or just the date.

Uniqueness is dependant on you as a couple. By this time in your relationship you know what is special to both of you, so choose a theme and go with it!

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.


3.05.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Many people looking for a permanent or long-term way to remove unwanted body hair look to the laser hair removal procedure. This popular procedure removes the hair relatively quickly, and for a much longer period of time than the traditional methods of hair removal, such as shaving or waxing. Practitioners promise to swiftly remove of hair at the root, and pledge that your hair will grow back at a very slow rate. However, if you are looking at laser hair removal as a long-term answer to your unwanted body hair problem, it is vital that you know all research all characteristics of the procedure, from knowing the basic principles behind it to knowing what to look for in a trustworthy practitioner to perform the procedure for you, and especially what the approximate cost of laser hair removal will be for you.

There are several obvious benefits to having laser hair removal, which is why it is becoming more common. The primary reason people pay to have the procedure done is for the lasting removal of unwelcome body hair. Even though laser hair removal has not been proven to be a permanent solution, there is often a permanent reduction in appearance of your hair. Often, your hair grows back in a lighter color and a finer texture, which can be a more manageable alternative to what a person deals with before having the procedure done. Laser hair removal is safe as long as it is done correctly and cautiously. Laser hair removal seems to be the best solution for those who have a large area on the body that they wish to treat, such as the back, chest, or legs. In these cases, laser hair removal might be a preferable option to something even less permanent like waxing, because of the longer-term effects. Candidates with paler complexions that have darker body hair usually get the most favorable results with laser hair removal.

There are several reasons that you will want to give laser hair removal some good thought before jumping in. There has been no medical proof that laser hair removal is completely safe or effective. And it is difficult to establish a set yardstick of regrowth rates, because every body is diverse. The process does not work as well on gray, red, or blonde hair, and people with darker skin tones or on people who tan themselves really need to approach it carefully. There is a risk of burns, abrasions, or skin discoloration as a result of the procedure. Since it can take several sessions to complete the preferred outcome, the cost of laser hair removal can be quite expensive. Some people do not react to the process at all, which can be a waste of time and money.

As with most types of cosmetic surgeries or procedures, the cost of laser hair removal differs by geographic area, and by the practitioners that perform the procedures. If it is the bread and butter of a business, the cost might be significantly higher than if laser hair removal is performed by a plastic surgeon or clinic that specializes in several types of procedures. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, there are a few other factors that might have an effect on the cost of your laser hair removal. If you require several treatments, if you have a larger area that you wish to have treated, or if you have particularly dense or thick body hair, laser hair removal might be more costly than average for you. When you are looking for a practitioner, try to find special offers, and check to see if the office you choose offers financing.

When looking for a practitioner that performs laser hair removal, not only do you need to consider cost, but you also need to consider the reputation of the business you are interested in. Schedule several in-office consultations with the practitioners that would perform the procedure on you. Make sure the office is clean, and make no commitments until you have had the opportunity to speak to other patients that have had the procedure done. It is important to know the risks, physically and financially, of laser hair removal. It is important to know that it isn’t necessarily a permanent solution, and that the cost of laser hair removal can be quite high depending on your individual situation and your geographic location.

Learn the essential information for picking the right beauty clinic for your treatment. Laser Hair Removal Costs


1.05.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

As we go through life, we are faced with many obstacles, and sometimes we make the wrong decision, assumption, and sometimes we just simply make mistakes. We are all human, we all make mistakes and in reality we all can learn from them.

After making a mistake, its normal to feel bad about what we did. We wonder how or why we made that mistake, regretting it, and sometimes we may even dwell on it to the point of feeling depressed. Of course its ok to feel bad about it, but don’t feel bad for too long because life does go on.

Through the years I have learned to look at my mistakes and turn them into a lesson for myself, a positive lesson. No matter what the situation is, I learn and grow from it, and if ever put in the same situation again, the outcome is a more positive one.

The next time you make a mistake, accept it, deal with it and then think about the positive lesson you can learn from it. You may be able to give someone great advice based on mistakes you have made.

Mistakes are all a part of life; they are things we can call our own. Learn from your mistakes because life is a never-ending lesson.


30.04.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off

Where would we be without mothers? In my opinion, Motherhood is very special profession. Motherhood also has very unique and demanding characteristics that are frequently misunderstood. Let me tell you why I believe that motherhood is an amazing and special profession.

Motherhood is the most important profession in the world. Mothers are entrusted, and are almost totally responsible for the health, care, training, morals, security, emotional strengths, attitudes, social understanding discipline, and learning success of their children. Collectively, mothers control the development and growth of almost all children in the world, who eventually mature into adults. The relationships children and even adults have with their mothers shape who they become as adults. The results of the efforts of mothers are universal, extremely powerful, everlasting, and extremely important to every person on the globe. Unfortunately, motherhood is not given the respect and honor it deserves, as the world shaping profession it is.

Motherhood is a very difficult and diverse profession. Mothers are required to possess the knowledge, practice the skills, and perform the duties of so many different life functions that it would be impossible to list them all. Here are but a few. Mothers must successfully perform as nurses, cooks, nutritionists, teachers, trainers, educators, coaches, therapists, disciplinarians, financial advisors, protectors, cleaning specialists, transportation specialists, sports enthusiasts, clothing and appearance specialists, peacemakers, mediators, and spiritual advisors. Wow!

Mothers are given little, if any, prior formal training. A vast majority of the knowledge, skills, and experience of performing all of the important motherhood life functions are learned ON THE JOB. I know of no college or university that teaches or trains mothers. They must learn motherhood on their own, and by following their instincts. Other professions like attorneys, medical doctors, and dentists, must attend anywhere from six-to-ten years of additional education after high school to be qualified to begin their profession. Yet, mothers are required to be fully knowledgeable of all motherhood requirements and operate at almost full speed from virtually the very beginning of motherhood, with very little, if any, training.

Motherhood is a non-income producing profession. Even though mothers perform the most important profession in the world, they rarely, if ever, generate monetary income from their motherhood efforts. Mothers are not paid to perform their multitude of very important duties and activities. Mothers are rarely paid to change diapers, prepare meals, or train their children. Mothers are frequently supported by their husbands, who are expected to generate enough income to pay for their needs. Unfortunately today, there appears to be an increasing trend of expecting mothers to continue performing their full time motherhood professional duties and also work at an income-producing job to generate money.

The time and energy demands on mothers diminish with time. As the youngest child grows up, the time demands, effort demands, mental involvement, and personal contact by mothers with their children will shrink. Motherhood with young babies is almost a 24 hours, seven days a week profession. Think of the relief mothers feel when their youngest baby finally sleeps through the night for the first time, without awakening for feeding or to have a diaper changed. The job requirements of motherhood are greatly reduced, as their youngest child goes off to school. Time and energy demands on mothers diminish even more as their youngest child continues to grow and attend even more out of the house activities. Eventually, mothers will be faced with an empty nest as the purposes of their motherhood vocation depart.

Mothers feel frustrated in their quest for a new profession. Mothers frequently feel stymied when they seek new careers. They feel inadequate because they have been out of the work force for so long, or because they feel they have less education than they think is necessary, or because they are older than other potential entry level workers, or because finding and applying for jobs and can be a daunting and confusing process. Unfortunately, the normal Human Resources culture of the corporate world and the owners of small business don’t always treat empty nest mothers as a valuable source of productive workers.

Mothers bring exceptional skills and experience to the workplace. Mothers are far more qualified and far more valuable producers than they, or the business world realizes. The skills, experience, knowledge, sense of responsibility, wisdom, patience, leadership, organizational capabilities, resourcefulness, human relationship capabilities, and other real life skills that mothers developed over the years of motherhood are extremely valuable to people who recognize their true worth.

If you are a mother at this stage in life…

You will want to fill the void with another supportive profession. You will always be a mother to your children. However, you will experience a void when your children begin to leave home. You will eventually want (and most often need) to fill this void with another career or work position. At some point in time, you will want to convert your experience, your energies, your need for achievement, your need for involvement, your passions, and your knowledge that was fulfilled through full-time motherhood into something else. You will want to discover and operate in a new profession, or work position, or career that allows you to fulfill your many passions and desires. You want to do this without interfering with mother-related responsibilities and on your own terms.

You will want to take control of your work selection process. You will not want to rely on the unappreciative and unmotivated corporate and business worlds to select the right professions for you. When you take control over your work selection process, you will be able to discover your true value and unleash your energies towards a new career that will be an excellent fit for you at this new point in life. When you chose the new career that best suits your passions, priorities, experiences and talents you will achieve exceptional successes. You will also discover how much easier it will be to attract significant monetary and personal rewards when you operate in the new career that you love. It is never too late for you to capitalize on what you have to offer and what you want to do, when you focus your efforts towards the right work situation for you.

It’s time to consider yourself first for once. The key to you being able to discover then attain the next career that best suits you is to look within yourself first. You come with a multitude of different experiences and priorities. Many times you are faced with option overload when you try to pick the right post full-time motherhood career. You have also focused so much of your time, energy, and thinking on the growth and improvement of your children (and spouse) that you have forgotten to take care of yourself. You will want to stop, take a deep breath, and seek what you want out of the rest of your life.

Find the right person to assist you. How will you be able to change directions and concentrate on yourself first, to discover what personal motivations you have, after years of putting others first? You will want to find the right person who will focus only on you as a person and assist you to unravel the mystery of who you are and who you want to become. You want someone who is highly motivated to assist you, who is trustworthy, who is objective, who is nonjudgmental, and has done this before. You might consider using a friend, but objectivity becomes an issue. You could consider using a therapist, but you do not need to be fixed. Another alternative would be to consider using a professional life coach to support you in this process. We have found that mothers who use a life coach transitioned into wonderful and enjoyable new lives, without interfering with their motherhood.

Conclusion

Now you see why I believe that Motherhood is the most intriguing, important, and under appreciated profession in the world. Yet, most mothers don’t anticipate that motherhood also has a very unique and misunderstood reduction in the time and effort demands as their children grow up. As a mother, you will want to recognize and plan for the need to re-direct your wonderful talents and passions towards a new vocation as the daily demands of motherhood wind down. Making the transition to a new vocation can be daunting. The best course for you to take control over this transition and select the right vocation for you is to seek assistance from the right person, and not try to do it alone.


30.04.2009. | Categories: School of Gender Studies | Comments Off