Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Article for Job Application

OK, so I posted about the job I am applying for. Well, I had to write an article about something related to stay at home moms for it. It will be writing geared for stay at home moms. So, here is the article I wrote and submitted (I just barely wrote it yesterday and submitted it, oops, it took a while!) So, let me know what you think!

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The one big question all stay at home moms face is how to find the time to interact with other adults and get away from ‘kid talk’ for a little while. Not possible you say? Oh, but it is, and here are some tips to help you rediscover some adult conversation.

While your significant other is one of the most important people in your life, it’s easy to lose track of that. So, tip number one is to talk to them. Set aside a little bit of time every day to talk to each other. Whether it’s first thing in the morning, right after they get home, or over dinner; find out how each other’s day went, talk about the weather, or what you’re watching on T.V. It really doesn’t matter what you talk about as long as you find some time to talk about something other than the kids and kid related stuff.

Next, you’ve got to find another stay at home mom to do things with. Whether she lives down the block, across the neighborhood, or on the other side of town, having a friend who can relate to where you are in life is very important. If you both have kids around the same age, even better, your kids can play while you get to have some of that elusive adult conversation. You can also take turns swapping babysitting for each other. Then you can find the time to go out with your significant other, a trip to the store, or one of those times when something comes up and you need a last minute sitter.

Join a playgroup. There are a lot of resources online to help you find a playgroup in your area. You can also check your local newspaper or town’s newsletter for ads or information on local moms groups. If you belong to a religious organization and they don’t have one set-up, get one started. Chances are there is at least one other mom there wishing for the same thing. The benefits to playgroups are that not only do the kids get to run off some energy; it gives you a chance to talk to other adults.

Then, find some one to exercise with. You can join an aerobics class, a walking group, or partner up with someone to go to the gym. The key is to not do it alone; things are always more fun with a friend! Not only will it help you feel better, but you’ll get a chance to talk about things other than housework, yard work and nap time schedules.

Also find a hobby that gets you out of the house at least once a month. It doesn’t matter what the hobby is as long as it is something you are interested in. Chances are you’ll meet people while you are doing this that you’ll have things in common with that will be a good source of adult conversation, even if it’s just bragging about your kids.

Keep in touch with your friends you used to do things with. If you’ve lost touch, reconnect. In order to not lose sight of whom you used to be and who you’ve become, it’s important to still be able to talk to those who knew you then. But it also gives you a chance every once in a while to reminisce about the old days. Don’t get caught in the trap of reliving who you used to be and forget who you are now, but also don’t forget to remember because knowing where you’ve been can help you relate to others you can come in contact with and can even make for some great conversation points.

The internet also has a lot of ways to find some adult interaction. You can join an online message board. It can be for stay at home moms, about your hobby, for people in your area or just about any thing else you can imagine. There are sites out there designed for just about everything so you’ll be able to find other adults who are as passionate about something as you are. Then there are Blogs, which are another great way to keep in touch with those you don’t see very often. While it doesn’t give you actual adult conversation it allows you to spend a few minutes collecting your thoughts and getting to think as an adult which is an important skill you’ll want to have available when you do get some time away from the ‘kid talk.’

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