Words of Encouragement for All College Moms

College moms face unique challenges when going back to school. I wanted to share some encouragement that might help in reaching your academic goals. I always believe that "tough times don't last always, but tough people do." Here is a short video ...

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College moms face unique challenges when going back to school. I wanted to share some encouragement that might help in reaching your academic goals. I always believe that “tough times don’t last always, but tough people do.”

Here is a short video of encouragement for all the hardworking college moms.

Going back to school and need support?

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Pregnant + MBA? This Mom’s Experience in B-School

We love hearing from our Divas! In this blog post, we sat down Elois Joseph to discuss her back to school journey as a soon-to-be mom in an MBA program. This weekend warrior inspires us to step out in faith and pursue our goals no matter what! &nb...

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We love hearing from our Divas! In this blog post, we sat down Elois Joseph to discuss her back to school journey as a soon-to-be mom in an MBA program. This weekend warrior inspires us to step out in faith and pursue our goals no matter what!

 

Keep reading for your own inspiration.

 

Q: What made you go back for your MBA?

A: I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’d worked for the same company for more than a decade. I thought my patience and loyalty would put me in a position to advance. After patiently waiting for almost a decade with no advancement, I decided it was time to move on. I also realized that my skills and ideas were stale and that my confidence was low. I knew that if I wanted to compete in today’s job market, that I needed to reinvent myself.

 

Q: Did future family plans play a part in your staying in your position for so long?

A: Not at all. I had too much faith in my manager/company.

 

Q: Gotcha. What was your MBA program like?

A: I did the “Executive” format which worked for me. That meant 8 hours of class time on Saturdays.

 

Q: Was it hard being in class so long being pregnant at the same time?

A: I was being so fulfilled and having my confidence renewed with my new skills that it didn’t bother me one bit. Not to mention the school was 40 miles away so it took an hour to get there, and 2.5 hours to get home due to traffic. I also didn’t want to let my cohort down or show a sign of not being able to handle it all. But I had a great pregnancy which helped a lot.

 

 

Q: That is definitely a blessing! What about your educational journey do you think being pregnant made unique.

A: We had a capstone project for a final project, as opposed to a thesis. The company, Scot Forge, was quite a distance from home so on site meetings in my last term made me nervous only because I was carrying an 11 pound baby that I delivered about 7 days after graduation.

 

 

Q: What made you continue knowing that being pregnant would present more challenges?

A: I never thought that being pregnant would present challenges. I had a great pregnancy so I moved through the school, work, pregnancy flow rather gracefully. Another great motivator was based on statistics. Black girl from the hood-hood of Chicago, single mom, absent father— you know how the story goes. Then to be told that I could never have kids, and to work in a non-diverse sector like the financial industry for 20 years, I was in beast mode. In theory, My life was sort of set up to fail. I was driven…a real corporate go getter and very much of a “I can do anything a man can do” type personality. So to do all of these things; work, school, pregnant, I was on fire. No weapon formed against me stood a chance.

 

Q: What was your support system like?

A: Excellent support system. It was just my husband and I so he was cool and very supportive of me going to school 8 hours, every Saturday for two years. Once I was finished, he was inspired and enrolled in school.

 

Q: What tips do you have for any of our Divas either going back to school or thinking about going back to school while pregnant?

A: Do it. Even if you have to take part time hours to make it work for your life, do it. Take advantage of employers’ tuition reimbursement. It may seem like a long journey, but it goes by so quickly. If you’re not an entrepreneur, an education will increase your knowledge/skills and open up many doors. I’m very pro-education. Even if you are an entrepreneur education will make sure that your skills are never stale. NEVER allow your skills to become stale and outdated and stop fighting glass ceilings. Always invest in yourself and remain competitive with an education and trending skills.

 

 

 

 

 

How this woman makes $140K a year with JUST a 2 year Degree

How THIS woman makes $140K A Year WITH a 2 year Degree

You thought going back to school would be a step toward a bigger paycheck, but you found out that the idea wasn’t all it was hyped up to be? You’ve got mountains of student debt and...

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How THIS woman makes $140K A Year WITH a 2 year Degree

You thought going back to school would be a step toward a bigger paycheck, but you found out that the idea wasn’t all it was hyped up to be? You’ve got mountains of student debt and degree after degree and you haven’t even cracked 6 figures yet?

 

As costs of a college education rise and salaries seem to stagnate, many women are realizing that going to school longer for the traditional 4-year degree doesn’t necessarily help them bring in the big bucks. In some cases, it only helps them get into more debt.

 

LendEdu analyzed a College Pulse survey of 7,000 college students from nearly 1,000 colleges and universities and found that students, on average, expect to earn $60,000 in their first job out of college.

 

But a recent survey from LendEdu shows actual salaries are closer to $50,000.

 

Yet, there is hope for those who are looking to follow a less traditional route.

 

Read the interview below to learn how Neece Lewis, age 32, was able to turn a 2-year degree in Industrial Systems Technology into a $140K a year job in Nuclear Power.

 

Back to School Divas: Nuclear Power is such a non-traditional field for women. What made you decide to go in that direction?
Neece Lewis: Lol! I get that question more than you know but truth be told…I wanted to try something different. I found no interest in the conventional jobs that were for women.

I loved math but didn’t want to be behind a desk. I loved figuring out things and how they work but absolutely hated the idea of sitting behind a screen all day. So, I actually started off as a mechanic and all of these men thought I was a joke with my nails and hair but I was good… damn good…

Later I had the opportunity to work in the nuclear field. In this field, they usually promote within and I passed every test I sat down to take. So, now I’m here as a Nuclear System Operator and I absolutely love it…

What program did you attend?
I went to a local community college named Wallace Community College (WCC)…I majored in Industrial Systems Technology.
But nuclear power can be so broad that anything in science, technology, engineering, or maintenance can get you a foot through the door.

How old were you when you started the program?
I was 26 when I returned to school (32 now). I graduated when I was 32.

I was the same age when I graduated! What is the best way to get into the field of Nuclear Power?
Experience or a certification/degree that relates to technology, engineering, maintenance, or engineering. They need more women as they are currently trying to make this field more diverse. So, being a woman gets you a leg up.

How is work-life balance?
Ehhh… I personally love it. I do work shift work which I know a lot of people don’t like but my regular work schedule consists of me working only 14-16 days a month (either days or nights…12 hr shifts)…but they give us ample amount of vacation days where I can reduce that if I’d like to and we have extra help on shift if you should have to leave for any emergencies…

Do you have children also?
Yes. Two (a daughter-7, a son-10)

Awwww, how old were they when you started the program?
Lol!! My daughter was 2 and my son was 5.

Oh, wow! Was it hard to manage them and the Industrial Systems Technology program as well?
Yes! I can’t lie. I was a single parent and had no help from their bio fathers. The program work, itself, was pretty easy and it consisted of a lot of hands-on work. Juggling that, working, and my kids is what made it hard. I also received a scholarship that would pay me 11$/hr at 20 hours a week but it wasn’t enough to care for my children so I ended up having to work 2 jobs and go to school.

There are a lot of companies that are invested in these types of programs at community colleges because this field is needed. They paid for all my tuition and school supplies/tools…and when I graduated, they gave me a full-time job with beginning pay at 26$/hr! So it was worth it in the end.

It sounds like it! Do you know if any of those companies specifically?
I don’t…it usually depends on the school so, the admissions department would be a great place to ask for all that info

Anything else you want to add that you think other women might need to know?
There are a lot of unconventional jobs that we can be awesome at. Women are needed! We tend to have a gift of attention to detail! We are more than teachers, social workers, and nurses. We are engineers, we are doctors…we are important. These other industries need us.

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I’m sure this will help many of our readers!
Thank you ❤️

 

Follow Back to School Divas via Facebook or click here to join the Back to School Divas FB Group to get advice on all of your degree questions in real-time!

 

Do you have a high earning degree? Tell us about it in the comments!

Fun & Affordable Things to Do with Kids This Summer

With another school year almost ending, this is a difficult time for most parents. After all, how can you keep your kids entertained and having fun for the entire summer?

 

While you...

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With another school year almost ending, this is a difficult time for most parents. After all, how can you keep your kids entertained and having fun for the entire summer?

 

While you may need to be at work or taking summer college classes, kids need their own affordable things to do, activities that keep them distracted and having fun after a whole year at school. However, at the same time, you don’t want to spend a lot of money. And we all know how those summer camps can be pretty expensive.

 

You’re looking for the best summer activities that you can do with your kids that are not only fun but free (or at least cheap). The main goal is to keep them active and engaged in an activity that’s fun for them. Besides, believe it or not, these will be the best memories your kids will have from their childhood when they grow up.

 

So, let’s get started.

 

Affordable Things to Do with the Kids This Summer

 

– Go hiking or for a nature walk: Kids love being in contact with Nature and it’s great for them as well as for you. You can even take the chance and do a picnic. In case you have more than one day, you can go camping with kids.

 

– Visit a local farm or an aquarium: Spend an afternoon teaching your kids know where their food comes from. The experience of visiting a farm and helping with plants and animals is absolutely amazing (especially for suburbanites).

 

– Visit a fire station: As a parent, you know that it’s important that your kids know who can help them when they are in danger. Plan a visit to a fire station to visit with firefighters, tour the station, and inspire heroism in your little ones.

 

– Pool day: What can be more fun for kids than spending the day at the pool? Look for free neighborhood pools, YMCA pools, or other community center pools for affordable swimming pool options.

 

– Scavenger hunt: Kids tend to love this activity and can be a lot of fun for the entire family. Look on Pinterest for scavenger hunt ideas, or make up your own with fun items in your home.

 

– Make stovetop s’mores: If it’s just too hot outside, you can simply stay at home and make stovetop s’mores.

 

– Pillow fight: Get a little spontaneous with a pillow fight. You can take this one step further by staging a sleepover with kids, laying with them until they fall asleep. It’ll make for a fun memory with your kids, and will be heartwarming for you, too.

 

 

– Make homemade ice cream: There’s nothing that feels as good as a good ice cream during the summer. To make it even better, make a delicious homemade ice cream at home with the kids.

 

– Go mini golfing: Mini golf is always a fun summer night activity with your kids. Look for fun themed golf courses like glow in the dark golf, or courses at affordable local theme parks.

 

 

– Water balloon fight: Keep fun close to home with a friendly water balloon fight in the yard—perfect for neighborhoods with lots of kids.

 

– Build a cardboard box castle: Kids love to build their own castle. Help them build it and leave the waiting and decor to your little experts.

 

While all these free summer activities are great options for the family, there are times when you just need some grownup time. Help your kids discover better ways to entertain themselves outside of familiar screens.

Fun Summer Activities for Kids

 

– Play hide and seek

– Play Simon Says

– Make paper airplanes and create a contest around it

– Hula hoop

– Play Would You Rather

– Build with legos

– Read a book

– Play a card game

– Get creative with arts and crafts

– Make a blanket fort

– Walk the neighbor’s dog

– Do a puzzle

– Water play in the backyard

– Make paper bag puppets

– Play an instrument

– Jump rope games

 

Love these free summer activities? Join the Back to School Divas Facebook group, and share your favorite summer activities!

family running at the park

50 Productive Things to Do on a Long Weekend

family running at the park

It's not very common to have a long weekend. From work holidays to Monday Mental Health days, taking a long weekend can be a great opportunity to get stuff done. So, you want to make sure that you make the most out it, Diva.

&nb...

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It’s not very common to have a long weekend. From work holidays to Monday Mental Health days, taking a long weekend can be a great opportunity to get stuff done. So, you want to make sure that you make the most out it, Diva.

 

Productive Things To Do 

As you can imagine, both indoors and outdoors, there are always things to do. Nevertheless, you also want to ensure that you should some activities that you can do with your kids as well.

50 Ways To Increase Productivity On A Three Day Weekend

 

#1: Visit The Family:

In case your family lives a bit far away and you don’t have a chance to see them often, a three day weekend is perfect.

 

#2: Go Shopping:

There are always things that you need to buy for your home and for your kids. So, you can take some time to go to the shopping mall.

 

#3: Read A Book:

One of the best pleasures in life is enjoying a good book. So, why not take the afternoon off and read a book for your kids? You can even leave the end of the story out and make them imagine it.

 

#4: Visit A Museum:

There are always museums that don’t charge an entry fee, especially if you’re taking kids. And even if they do, this is a great option when the weather is bad. Besides, learning new things is always interesting.

 

#5: Watch A Movie At Home:

If you’re feeling a bit lazy and you don’t feel like getting out of the house, you can rent a movie to watch with your kids. It can be an animation movie or an old one.

 

#6: Do Some Gardening:

Gardening is a great hobby and you have so much space in your backyard that you aren’t really using. So, why not grow some vegetables or fruits? In case you live in an apartment, you can also do it. Just get some vases and plant some herbs.

 

#7: Day Trip To State And National Parks:

If you want to spend the day out with your family, you have the option to do a day trip to state and national parks. You will all be able to enjoy the fresh air and be in contact with nature. It can be pretty refreshing and stress relieving.

 

#8: The Zoo:

Kids love going to the zoo and most adults love it as well. So, you can definitely use a day (or an afternoon) and check the new animals at the zoo.

 

#9: Take On A Project At Home:

Remember that project that you keep postponing because you don’t have the time to do it? Well, just take this long weekend to take care of it. You can get your kids involved as well. While you may not be able to complete it as fast, it’s a great opportunity for kids to see how you use tools and try them out for themselves as well.

 

#10: Have a Board Game Day:

In case your kids are always spending their long weekends glued to their computer playing games, why can’t you host the board game day? Most young kids have never even tried board games and they can be quite fun. Just choose one of the classics (depending on your kid’s age) such as Battleship, Cluedo, Scrabble, Risk, Snakes and Ladders, Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, checkers or Chess.

 

#11: Head To The Playground:

Do you remember the last time you took your child to the playground? Well, he pretty sure misses it. So, just make him a surprise.

 

#12: Host A Dinner Party:

Most people believe that spending a good day with the family deserves a celebration. So, instead of going out to dinner or ordering food, you can host a special dinner party just for the family. Just think about something that each one of the family members loves and ask kids to help you out.

 

#13: Make A Paper Fortune Teller:

Besides spending quality time with your kids, you will be also developing their skills. Besides, you will find it incredibly funny.

 

#14: The Movies

In case your kids mentioned a movie they would like to see, just make them a surprise. Don’t forget about the popcorn.

 

#15: Visit A Local Farm:

When the weather is good, you should consider taking your kids to a local farm. Besides the contact with nature, they will be able to learn a lot about animals and plants.

 

#16: Watch Wildlife:

If you like to be in contact with nature and you usually don’t have the time to do it, just grab your kids and head onto the countryside or to a local park.

 

#17: Play Pen And Pencil Games:

There are many classic games that can be played with a simple pen and a piece of paper. Besides, they can be a lot of fun. Some ideas include Battle Ships, Hang Man, and even Noughts and Crosses.

 

#18: The Arcade:

If you decided to take a walk with your family but it’s too much hot, why not visit the arcade? Your kids are going to love it and so will you.

 

#19: Bake A New Cookie Recipe:

Anxious to try out that new cookie recipe your friend gave you? Take the three long weekend and the help of your kids and head to the kitchen.

 

#20: Play the Sentence Game:

This is a great game to be played by the entire family. You just need to write a sentence in a piece of paper and fold it. Then, supply one word of the next line for the following person. You won’t believe the stories that will come up.

 

#21: Make Finger Puppets:

If you have young kids, making finger puppets is a great idea. In the end, you can even write down a story or two.

 

#22: Ten-Pin Bowling:

In case the three day weekend is in winter or it is raining outside, you need to think about something you can do indoors. So, why not take the family for a ten-pin bowling?

 

#23: Origami:

Origami is a perfect activity to do with kids when the weather is not inviting to go outside.

 

#24: Go Swimming:

In case the weather is good, just find the nearest leisure center.

 

#25: Arts & Crafts:

If your walls are a bit empty at home, why not taking this long weekend to create some painting with the kids. You can then frame them and display them.

 

#26: Laser Tag:

When you are looking to have fun as a family, you need to try out laser tag. Most venues rent the equipment so you just need to get ready for action.

 

#27: Play Hide and Seek:

In case you’re just in the mood to be a child again, why not play the “old” hide and seek?

 

#28: Indoor Sports:

While most sports need to be done outdoors, you also have plenty of indoor sports. Just find one that suits you. It’s always a good time to exercise.

 

#29: Create A Time Capsule:

One neat idea that you can convert into reality in a long weekend is to create a family time capsule. Then, bury it in your yard.

 

#30: Play Indoor Volleyball:

When you want to keep moving and don’t know what to do, just grab a balloon and play indoor volleyball.

 

#31: Go To An Adventure Park:

An adventure park is a great way to exercise and to spend time with the family as well. You’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of challenges without any phones nearby.

 

#32: Print Your Best Photos:

A perfect craft to do with your kids. Just choose the best photos and make a beautiful collage with their help.

 

#33: Build A Fort:

No matter if you build one in the backyard or in the living room, your kids are going to love it. And you will too.

The chances are you have a duvet or sofa. Cardboard boxes are also useful. Construct a mini-fort for yourself and your family and enjoy being childish for a day.

 

#34: A Picnic In The Park:

When the weather is great, it just feels like you need to be outside. So, why not have a picnic in the park?

 

#35: Check Out The Stars:

One of the things that you can also do at night is to simply enjoy the stars. Buy a telescope and take the time to teach your kids how it works and tell them what they are observing.

 

#36: Go To An Amusement Park:

There are many different amusement parks so you just need to pick the best one for the entire family to have fun. It will be a blast.

 

#37: Build A Garden Labyrinth:

When you are looking to improve your kid’s skills, you should try to create a garden labyrinth. All you need is unmowed grass, twigs, and stones.

 

#38: Make Bubbles:

Making bubbles can be extremely fun. Besides, you just need to use some household products that you already have at home.

 

#39: Go To A Play:

When you are raising a child, it is important to give her the space to play, have fun but also to show her as many different things as you can. And going to a play is one of those activities.

 

#40: Go Camping:

If you love nature, then there is nothing like a good camping trip to reconnect.

 

#41: Go On A Road Trip:

The best thing about a road trip is that you don’t even need to have a specific destination. Just think whether you prefer to head towards the country or towards the beach. Just take the time to breathe, to relieve the stress, and to enjoy yourself.

 

#42: Ride A Bike:

Riding a bike can be incredibly fun and is great for your body and mind.

 

#43: Create a Dress-Up Box:

In case it’s raining, you can take the day to check all the wardrobes at home. Just pick the shoes, hats, dresses, and everything that you don’t wear anymore and take them to a thrift shop.

 

#44: Go For A Hike:

A good hike is perfect to reconnect with your kids and get some exercise your body will appreciate. Besides, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful surrounding environment.

 

#45: Be A Card Shark

Just choose to turn off the TV and the computer and head onto a classic card game.

 

#46: Go For A Walk:

Sometimes, a simple walk is revigorating.

 

#47: See An Outdoor Art Installation:

In case you like art and the weather is good, you don’t want to go to an art museum. However, you can definitely opt to see an outdoor art installation.

 

#48: Go To The Beach:

Soaking up the sun and swimming in a beautiful sea is a great way to take advantage of a long weekend.

 

#49: Frame It:

While you’re at the beach, just gather some beach glass, seashells, pebbles, sticks, and create a beautiful frame.

 

#50: Get To Know Your City:

While you keep moving around your city, most people don’t even know if. So, just head to the places that tourists usually see.

 

Want to get really productive over your long weekend? Download the Back to School Divas planner to put together to-do lists, manager your projects, make grocery lists and more!

Beautiful girl with Christmas gifts isolated white background

Gift Guide for Moms Going Back to School

Beautiful girl with Christmas gifts isolated white background

Searching for the perfect gift for mom going back to school? We put together a few of our favorite options into our first-ever gift guide for moms going back to school to resume pursuing their academic dreams.   While the list may not incl...

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Searching for the perfect gift for mom going back to school? We put together a few of our favorite options into our first-ever gift guide for moms going back to school to resume pursuing their academic dreams.

 

While the list may not include a whole village or breakfast with giraffes (looking at you Goop), it does have a selection of gifts for moms going back to school.

 

Let’s dive right into the gift guide!

 

Canon PIXMA MX490 Wireless Office All-in-One Inkjet Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine

 

Reliable, multipurpose and affordable. These three traits best define the Canon PIXMA MX490. This affordable, multipurpose printer combo is the perfect addition to this gift guide for busy moms going back to school.

 

Whether they have to print out quick assignments for themselves or their kids, or if their goal is to print out grocery lists, budget sheets, and electronic receipts, this powerhouse of a printer would be able to serve those needs.

 

The best part is that it doesn’t break the bank at $55. Practical and effective, it is easily one of the best gifts for moms who’d appreciate functionality and ease of use. Do them a favor and save them a lot of trips to the local store or the library for pricey prints!

 

YOREPEK Water Resistant Backpack with USB Charging Port

 

Moms transitioning back to student life need a few back-to-school staples to start their schooling in the right way.

 

A backpack is one of those staples.

 

Having a large backpack goes a long way to hold notebooks, laptops, and a few snacks andstaples for their kids while they juggle their own school and kids needs every day.

 

This YORPEK Water Resistant Backpacknot only fulfills those requirements but also comes with an additional set of handy features: a water-resistant design helps moms steer clear of unwanted spills, and a USB charging port ensures their devices do not run out of juice during their hectic day.

 

With a variety of both bright and muted colors to choose from, the bag is originally available at $50.99.

 

Robrasim Leather Journal/Refillable Travelers Notebook

 

With an old-school notebook, moms can focus on the task of writing and studying. Some research even suggests that writing things down in an analog style promotes better retention (perfect for long study sessions before a test!)

 

The Refillable Traveler’s Notebook by Robrasimdoes not only serve that purpose but does so beautifully while being clad in a luxurious, handmade leather finish.  It comes with the feature of being refillable, so if it runs out of paper, it can be replaced very easily without having to do away with the whole journal.

 

The journal fits inside most bags easily, which also makes it easy to carry. At $18.95, it is nothing short of a bargain.

 

Beats PowerBeats 3 Wireless Headphones – Neighborhood Collection

 

There are only a few things out there that could help motivate people during work or study as much as music. This benefit is especially crucial for moms who have to focus on doing their work as fast as possible during the limited time they have.

 

A nice pair of headphones can bring the beauty of music to a busy mom. The Beats PowerBeats 3 Wireless Headphonesare the perfect gift choice for just that purpose.

 

Available in a variety of colors, these wireless headphones are a sturdy build and provide amazing sound quality. What makes them one of the great gifts for moms are their ability to be charged for only 5 minutes for one hour of playback. When fully charged, they can run for up to 12 hours.

 

As if these qualities were not enough, the headphones are also sweat and water resistant, so moms can count on them to be as tough as them. At a discounted price of $99.99, these headphones are perfect for those who appreciate their music.

 

Zimtown Nature Bamboo Folding Lapdesk

 

The Zimtown Nature Bamboo Folding Lapdeskturns any bed or chair into a productive yet comfortable desk setup. It’s the perfect present for a mom who also has to study every day.

 

With an adjustable elevated platform for the laptop and a side space to keep their phone, this lap desk makes for a fantastic stand that could help a mom work right from their safe space.

 

At $24.98, it is available for practically nothing as compared to what it brings to the table (pun intended).

 

Find Even More Ideas About Gifts for Moms

 

With all of these presents in the gift guide, you can make life easier for many moms out there who value comfort and productivity throughout their day.

 

Share this list with your friends on Facebook and help them find great gifts for moms going back to school!

 

To learn more managing the holidays as a mom going back to school, join the BackToSchoolDivas community today.

 

mom and toddler on bed

New Mom Tried “The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula” For A Week And This is What Happened

mom and toddler on bed

New Mom Tried “The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula” For A Week And This is What Happened

Author and Business Consultant Bedros Keuilian created a system to help you sleep better, wake up earlier, get more done,...

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New Mom Tried “The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula” For A Week And This is What Happened

Author and Business Consultant Bedros Keuilian created a system to help you sleep better, wake up earlier, get more done, and feel great doing it. It’s called the 10-3-2-1-0 formula!

We all want to “wake up early and get stuff done!” But with busy schedules, classes, kids, and showering, all you want to do is squeeze every last minute out of your sleep. Hello, snooze button! This method promises better sleep and improved focus.

What Is The 10-3-2-1-0 Formula?

The 10-3-2-1-0 formula breaks down like this:

  • 10 hours before bed – No more caffeine.
  • 3 hours before bed – No more food or alcohol.
  • 2 hours before bed – No more work.
  • 1 hour before bed – No more screen time (turn off all phones, TVs and computers).
  • 0 – The number of times you will hit the snooze button in the morning.

Keuilian uses science to back up his claims. Caffeine takes longer than you might expect to leave your system (about 10 hours.) That residual caffeine lives in your system and can make it hard to unwind. Eating large meals, spicy foods, and drinking alcohol can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep all night—even though having a glass of wine in the evening may seem to make it easy. Plus, working, thinking about work, and staring at screens can keep your brain active when it’s time to turn the lights out.

This method is designed to help power down your brain so you can wake up refreshed.

Sounds interesting, right? We wanted to put this formula to the test, so we enlisted a real mom to try it out for 7 days. Would it live up to the hype?

A New Mom’s Experience with 10-3-2-1-0

New Mom Briana Scott is a Wife, Full-Time Employee, Part-Time Online Student, and Mama to 1-year-old baby girl. With so many roles and responsibilities, she was excited to try a simple method designed to help her feel better and get more done!

Briana tried the 10-3-2-1-0 formula for 7 days and reported back on her experience.

What was the first day like?

Rough! It was definitely an adjustment. Usually with the caffeine side of things, I drink a Grande size drink from Starbucks around 7 AM! To go without it, on most days, was difficult and made it hard to stay awake for homework after work. Because I have a couple classes and a full-time job to prepare for every night, I never got to bed at a decent time throughout this experiment.

How was the last day in comparison (easier, harder, did you want to quit?)

It was easier than the first day for sure, but it was something I had to keep remembering to do. So, it was almost like adding to the list of things in my day to be aware of. It was a great experiment, though, and would do it again when I’m off track.

What were some challenges you faced in doing the method each day?

Staying on top of it. There was a day or two that I forgot what I was doing with this. Again, that’s only because I had a few other things going on.

Did you notice any benefits in your work, school, or personal life?

I did! Whoop, whoop! The nights that I made myself follow the sleep part of this routine, I woke up the next day on time, refreshed and alert! I loved this result!

Does this method fit your lifestyle? Would you keep it up?

It does and it doesn’t! It holds me accountable for making sure I get the rest/relaxation I need as a parent, student, wife and full-time employee. If I can stick to something like this, I would be well-balanced all the time.

Will you try the 10-3-2-1-0 formula? Have your discovered a “secret recipe” for better sleep? Let us know in the comments!

 

mom working at a desk holding a baby

How To Go Back To School As A New Mom

mom working at a desk holding a baby

How To Go Back To School As A New Mom

It’s true what they say: it is NEVER too late to return to school as a new mom. Between feedings, changings and excitement over your little one, being a mom going back ...

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How To Go Back To School As A New Mom

It’s true what they say: it is NEVER too late to return to school as a new mom. Between feedings, changings and excitement over your little one, being a mom going back to school may be the last thing in your mind. But whether you’re in the middle of pursuing your degree or you want to take the time to elevate your new family’s future. Getting started is the first step.

Focus On What Matters Most

Becoming a mom has a powerful effect on your mindset. You want to do everything you can to improve your life and your child’s, and going back to school is a great way to do that! It will be more important now than ever to  allow yourself to take a break by allowing others to help in caring for your new baby.

To get started on the right foot, be sure to:

  1. Outline Your Goals: Keep them realistic, attainable and pertinent to your future career. Articulate your goals to friends and family who support you. Find a study partner who is on a similar track.
  2. Evaluate Your Lifestyle: Choose the college environment that’s best for you and suits your learning needs and style.  
  3. Find Help: Locate an advisor to help you devise your course of study and to keep you on track.

Create A New School-Friendly Lifestyle

Once you’ve decided exactly how you want to go back to school as a new mom, experiment and discover a new way of life that allows all your needs to be met.

Set yourself up for back-to-school success by:

  • Choosing course times and styles that are convenient for you
  • Build a support system by enlisting your partner, an older child, trusted friend, or a babysitter to watch and care for your newborn while you study
  • Create a reasonable timeline for completing school (3 years, 4 years, any breaks) and share with your loved ones! Not only can they better understand why and how things are changing around the house, they can serve as your accountability partners.
  •  Remember to make yourself a priority in the household as well. Schedule time away from everything to do an activity you love, care for your body by going to the gym, or relaxing in any way you like.

 

When you’re going through a big life change, finding a community of like-minded women who share your challenges is crucial! Sharing your jouenry as a new mother going back to school and knowing there are others going through a similar challenge can keep us on track and hold us accountable to completing what we set out to do.  

The Back to School Divas Facebook group is a great place to explore! There are hundreds of women like you sharing inspiration, challenges, and friendship there.