MamaBlogger365 - Tiger Mom? French Mom? How About Just “Mom”? by Jennifer Covello

I recently read an article in the Washington Post entitled, “What’s So Bad About American Parents, Anyway?” The writer speaks of the parenting styles of the French and the Argentines and the Eskimos and the Japanese in comparison to American parents and speaks of how we are once again looking to yet another group to figure out the parenting puzzle.

Great! Just what we need as mothers. Not only do we compare ourselves to other mothers in our own inner circles, now we have mothers thousands of miles away to compare ourselves to. What’s wrong with this picture, ladies? Can we stop the madness and just be ourselves?

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Jennifer Covello
Owner, Founder, Frittabello, LLC
www.frittabello.com
www.parentingforpurpose.com
203.524.0784

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frittabello
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jencovello
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/frittabello

Jennifer Covello is an award-winning author and owner of Frittabello baby gifts. Her passion for motherhood is evident through her writings and her speaking on topics that impact moms and children. As a divorced mother of two children, Ms. Covello, continually searches for the lessons her own children teach her along her parenting journey.

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

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MamaBlogger365 - The Demise of “SuperMom” by Jennifer Covello

Jennifer Covello

As I write this, I’m slowly getting over a head cold that lasted several days. During that time, I was unable to do many of the things I normally do not only for my work, but for my children. This is a source of frustration for me as I’m used to doing several things at once and my children are used to me doing, well, everything.

You might say that they are spoiled. You might say that they should understand that when mommy is sick, they have to fend for themselves. You’d be right in thinking that. But you can’t blame them for thinking or feeling as they do. They don’t know any better. Why? Because I didn’t teach them. So really, it’s my fault.

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The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

MamaBlogger365 - You Don’t Need A New Year to Make A Change by Jennifer Covello

It’s a new year. 2012. Lots of fanfare and hype about this year. Is it true? Who knows? But no matter what, it’s a time when we all tend to reflect on the year that has just passed and decide how we want the next one to be.

I’m not one for resolutions and I typically don’t make them. I’m more of a “resolve as I go” kind of person where, throughout the year, I look at where I am at in my life journey and see where I can make course corrections to improve my life.

Where do I find this inspiration? Usually from the people around me. Are they happy? Are they fulfilled? Are they at peace? I look at my children and see where they are in their lives and ask the same questions. Are they happy? Healthy?

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MamaBlogger365 - Pay Attention This Holiday Season by Jennifer Covello

The holidays are upon us once again. Soon everyone will be hustling and bustling through the stores shopping for gifts for the special people in their lives. Children will be writing out their Christmas lists in the hopes that Santa will shower them with all they have asked for. Parents will be trying to fit holiday preparations into their already jam-packed schedules.

My mailbox is already filling with catalogs and flyers encouraging me to shop now for the best bargains. I can’t help but think that this week’s “door busters” will be ousted by next week’s “lowest prices ever” forever tormenting me that no matter what great deal I think I got, that perhaps there was a better one.

Both of my children have made it easy for me this year. Their lists are completed and contain only a few items. The days of baby dolls and action figures are long gone and their lists are now filled with pricey electronic games, brand-name clothes, or the latest basketball shoe. And while I am grateful for the simplicity of it all, I can’t help but miss the days of shopping for the oodles of Little Tikes furniture and Transformers.

Like many working mothers, I spoiled my kids terribly at Christmas, buying nearly everything on their lists and more. In hindsight, this was clearly a mistake as I was in essence emphasizing the “gift” part of Christmas, as opposed to the “grateful” part.

How do we teach our children to be grateful? How do we show them how to pay attention to the little things that life has to offer? A warm hug. An ice-cream cone on a hot summer day. The abundance of food on the dinner tables. Is it through the over-used “there are children in this world who have nothing” phrase? Or perhaps the more famous phrase, “when I was your age.” Or is it by our example?

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MamaBlogger365 - Living Vicariously? Or Just Living? by Jennifer Covello

Both of my children play basketball. I’ve attended just about every practice and game since they started playing, so we’re talking several years. I’ve watched my son come up through the ranks and learn how to dribble with both hands and “drop three’s”. I’ve witnessed my daughter driving the ball to the basket with the speed and agility of a real pro.

I’m not well-versed in sports. I don’t understand most of them and would consider myself a true "spectator". While I do have my favorite professional sports teams, I’m usually the one asking those annoying questions like, “what’s a first down?” or “why is he just standing there?” I’m a big hit with the guys who want to show off their sports prowess and a true pest to those who just want to watch the game.

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Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our September POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.

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Tues.-Sun., 10:45 am - 6:30 pm

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MamaBlogger365 - Those Three Little Words by Jennifer Covello

Let me begin by saying that I do not permit the use of bad language in my home. Even the word that describes the passing of gas is not allowed. If a colorful word is muttered by my children, it usually results in some type of discipline that hopefully instills in them that there is no need for this type of language. Being an author and a lover of words, I know there are a plethora of words for them to choose that don’t cause people to cringe or look away in disgust.

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Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our September POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.



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MamaBlogger365 - Why Do We Need a Rainy Day to Relax? by Jennifer Covello

Jennifer Covello

The other day, I awoke to the pitter-patter of raindrops on my window. What a lovely sound, I thought. There’s something about being tucked in under your covers, hearing stormy weather outside, knowing that you are safe and sound inside.

My first thought was, “I don’t have to water my grass today!” My second thought was, “Now I can have a relaxing day.” I’m not sure about you, but during the summer months, if it’s a nice day, I feel the need to be doing something. As a busy mom of two children and a mompreneur, there’s always something to do, right? But if the weather outside is less than perfect, somehow, I feel ok about giving myself permission to slow down and enjoy the day.

So on this particular day with rain clouds covering the sky, there was no garden to tend to, no children to taxi about, and no real “to-do’s”. I was being given the gift of a day off. I stayed indoors and tended to small house projects, did typical chores like laundry, and watched a little guilty-pleasure television. Ahhh…

When the day was over and I felt somewhat rejuvenated, I had to ask myself why I needed a rainy day in order to treat myself to a bit of R&R. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to relax on a beautiful sunny summer day? The only answer I could come up with was this. When it’s raining, somehow I don’t feel guilty about staying indoors and doing nothing. But when it’s sunny, I feel like if I don’t take advantage of it, it’ll be gone.

As women, we rarely give ourselves permission to “take the day off”, whether it’s raining or not. And when we do, we nearly always feel guilty about it, as if we don’t deserve it. But here’s the kicker. Taking time for ourselves should not be considered a ‘nice to have’, but a ‘must-have’.

So, I challenge you as well as myself. Don’t wait for a rainy day to take the day off. Be bold! Seize the next sunny day and enjoy it!


Bio: Jennifer Covello is the owner and founder of Frittabello, LLC, a baby gift business. Ms. Covello has authored and published an award-winning baby journal, “My Life” and a children’s book, “Frittabello and his Angel.” Her products can be purchased online or in various upscale retailers in Fairfield County, CT. Ms. Covello created and sponsors Bumps, Babies & Beyond baby expo.

To fulfill her mission to help moms, Jennifer offers “Put Your Love on Paper” baby journaling workshops for parents to start and finish their baby journals, recently featured on Better CT. Additionally, she facilitates “Moms to Mompreneurs” workshops which assist moms who want to start a business.

Jennifer is a frequent contributor to various online magazines including “Natural Nutmeg” and “Tots to Teens”. She was also a contributing author to “Moms to Motherhood”, a Gratitude Project book and a mommy blogger for Working Woman Magazine.

She has been featured on local and regional radio and TV programs for her insights about her journey from corporate to mompreneur as a single, full-time working parent.

Jennifer is a native of Long Island, New York and had a corporate career in IT and Marketing. She is active in her local school system, having served on numerous committees focusing on the improvement of special education services. She holds a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in Marketing Management from Pace University, New York.

Jennifer resides in Norwalk, CT with her two children.

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frittabello
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jencovello
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/frittabello

Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our September POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.