Winter Edition 2013

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In this Issue

6 Seven Secrets to Successful Relationships

9 With Wellness in

Mind 12 Make Time for

Yourself in the New Year

14 Staging Tips to Sell

Your Home in 2013 21 Birthday Round Up

PublishersChristina CastroJennifer Po

Contributing EditorLaurie Rein

Regional Directors Lisa Becker Amanda Krug

Art DirectorLisa Ball

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected] or Call 917.586.2650. All written requests can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1521, Cranford, NJ 07016

NJ Moms Guide is owned by Moms Guide, LLC. All Rights Reserved 2013. © No part of this issue may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors in which may appear in this issue. NJ Moms Guide in no way represents or endorses the content of any advertiser featured in the issue.

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We’re 2! Help us Blow Out the Candles and Celebrate another Year!This January marks NJ Moms Guide’s 2nd Year Anniversary! It’s been an extraordinary year and an exceptionally busy one. In two years we have made great strides reaching close to 3,000 Facebook followers, creating new events just for moms and expanding our team which now include our special feature writers, regional sales reps, web and print designers, and a social media specialist. We are also in the works of launching MomsGuide.org, a general website where moms can visit for related stories and tips on health, fitness, money matters, business, travel and more.This February, we will also host the Big Birthday Bash where local businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their birthday party-related businesses and services to hundreds of families. This fun-filled event will have everything from balloon artists, magicians, performers, gift bags and cake for the kids to enjoy. Make the Big Birthday Bash your one-stop shopping for all your family’s birthday party planning needs, and have a fun day out with your kids while you’re at it. For more information, visit us at www.njmomsguide.com.So, as you can see, we have lots to celebrate. Thank you to all of our NJ Moms Guide subscribers for your continued readership and support and most of all to our advertisers. We hope you will continue this journey with us for many more years to come.Cheers to 2013! Best,

Christina and JenniferChristina and Jennifer

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Is there a way to have a good and happy relationship even during the most challenging years of parenting? The answer is yes! Here are seven secrets

of successful relationships which apply no matter where you are in your parenting journey.

1) Create time to connect emotionally every day. It could be as simple as asking about each other’s day and really listening to the an-swer, validating each other’s feelings or sharing details of a special moment with your child. Tell your partner what kind of response you’re looking for: do you just want to vent, get his/her opinion, figure out why you’re upset? This will help your partner meet your needs and also feel successful in the relationship.

2) Have technology free family dinners. This means no TV, phones, electronic games or texting. Family dinners, held daily whenever possible, provide time for children and parents to engage in conversation, share thoughts and information about their activities and generally feel cared about. In contrast, if you don’t engage with your children over dinner, they are likely to be looking for that attention later on and they might even act out to get it, taking away from what should be late evening “parent only” time.

3) Observe the “one week rule.” This rule states that you have one week to voice a complaint about something that your partner has done. Once seven days has passed from the time of the incident, you are no longer allowed to complain or voice disapproval of his/her actions. Letting go of the past and confronting new issues as soon as they occur will prevent small problems from blossoming into major conflicts.

4) Make parenting decisions behind closed doors. There are few things as upsetting as having your partner reprimand you in front of your child or take your child’s side against you. If you have a parenting issue to discuss, do so privately and always show your children a united front.

5) Put good will in the bank. Try to focus on what your partner does for you and the family and show your appreciation in words and ges-tures whenever possible. Showing good will to your partner prompts him/her to be attentive when you later have a complaint, and slower to anger when you do something hurtful. Even during a busy day, find time to say, “I love you” and behave in a way that demonstrates this to your partner.

Seven Secrets of Successful Relationships

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6) Make alone time a sacred appointment. Going out to-gether, even for a cup of coffee or a walk, is important and should happen regularly. The point is to get out and spend time talking about things other than your day to day problems. Use this as an opportunity to regroup, set new goals and reaffirm life priorities.

7) Make your battles short lived. Make up early, learn to say “I’m sorry” and learn to forgive. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share that you were hurt. Being vulnerable should prompt the other person to share, in words or gestures, that he/she was also very upset by the argument. If instead, your partner uses that vulnerability against you or responds with rejection or consistent criticism, then short term counseling might help stop this negative pattern and get your relationship back on track.

Life is short – invest time in your relationship and your personal happiness. You will be teaching your children how to live a good life.Lisa A. Sturm, LCSW is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Mountainside, NJ. She can be reached at (973) 903-1205 or [email protected].

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The Wellness Lounge, located in South Orange, New Jersey is an oasis where people can feel inspired to learn alternative approaches to improve their health and well-being. A Wellness Interactive, Inc. brand, the Wellness Lounge has been successfully implemented all over the country for the past 6 years as a “pop-up” wellness platform for companies and organizations. The mission is to educate individuals on preventive care and how to navigate a wellness lifestyle through workshops, classes, hands-on healing treatments and learning about green living. Not only is it a relaxing place to retreat to, it is a place where MIND, BODY and SPIRIT are integrated to enhance the well-being of all individuals. The company’s model is based upon the premise that the journey to optimum wellness begins only when the mind, body and spirit

are in complete harmony. Whether it’s experiencing alternative therapies, taking workshops or sampling soothing specialty teas, all of these modalities serve to calm the total person and energize the spirit.Dedicate a wellness day for yourself! Visit the Wellness Lounge and learn how to proactively develop a wellness lifestyle that supports your very best being. For more information, please visit www.wellnessinteractive.com.

With Wellness in Mind

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Promote Your Business in the Spring/Summer Issue of NJ Moms Guide

The Deadline is March 1st! For more information contact [email protected]

New Jersey Moms Guide

Visit us on: facebook.com/newjerseymomsguide

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Article by Laurie Rein

Motherhood is a 24 hour a day job, minus vacation and personal days. The stress of juggling family responsibilities can take a toll on moms. Mommy burn-out can affect the physical and mental well-being of the entire family. It’s important that moms give themselves the occasional time-out, in order to re-energize and refocus on the joy of being mom. It may be a challenge to arrange alone time around your family’s schedule, but there are ways to score some “me time,” whether you have a few moments or a few hours. Below are some cures for mommy exhaustion:

BURN SOME ENERGY Working out is a great stress release, whether you belong to the gym, take a yoga or Zumba class or just go for a run. Many fitness centers offer child care, so you can enjoy your workout while the kids are having fun. And speaking of childcare...

PAMPER YOURSELF Moms deserve some pampering, away from the Pampers. A massage, manicure or even just a haircut could boost confidence and make mom feel human again.

NETWORK WITH FELLOW MOMS Joining a local mom’s group is a great way to meet moms in your area. Aside from monthly meetings, clubs offer girls’ night out events, book clubs, game nights and playgroups. Some organizations offer babysitting co-ops, where moms exchange free babysitting hours. Check meetup.com for mom’s clubs in your area.

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT If you can arrange for a free night, catch up with girlfriends over drinks or coffee. And try not to talk about the kids too much!

RELAX AT HOME If leaving the home isn’t an option, try to schedule some decompression time in the house. A long bath, or even a shower,can be a rare treat for mom. Lock yourself in the bedroom and catch upon your DVR. If your child still naps, take advantage of the temporarily quiet house, with magazines, email or even a nap of your own.Remember that having a little time of your own makes for a happier, healthier mom. And happy moms result in happy families.

Making Time for YOURSELF in the New Year

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STAGING TIPS to Sell Your Home in 2013As a realtor, I am often asked by Sellers how they can best prepare their homes for sale. The answer is simple.... Bring in a PROFESSIONAL Stager! I am not talking about a full on staging job that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. I mean bringing in a Professional Stager to tweak the home with suggestions for cosmetic fixes and furniture placement changes that freshen the home and increase it’s desirability.

Here are some of the tips and strategies that are given to my clients prior to listing a home:

1. Start packing away all items in all your closets that you will not be using. (Remember, you are MOVING, so think of it as packing. The reality is, the more spacious the closets and storage areas appear to be, the happier a Buyer will be.)

2. Get all items off of floors in closets and linen closets. Clear off all dresser tops and bathroom vanities.

3. Replace broken light bulbs and lighting fixtures, if any (Dark and dismal appeals to NO ONE!)

4. Keep house spotlessly clean at all times and always HAVE beds made each morning.

5. Throw all towels in dryer each morning after showers (they get smelly!)

6. Keep all personal hygiene items tucked away and off counters in bathrooms

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7. Keep all blinds and curtains open to let in more light. (Make sure your windows are clean!)

8. Pack away all books that you are not currently reading or using for work. Show space – buyers like space

9. Neutralize all pet odors and replace any stained carpeting10. Pack away all family photos (yes, they are beautiful,

but trust me, buyers get distracted by pictures and diplomas. We want the focus to be on the house, not it’s inhabitants!)

My job is to help my Sellers achieve their goal of getting the highest price in the shortest amount of time. By following these tips, and utilizing a Professional Stager, a Seller can best prepare their home for sale in a competitive market. Pricing may be key, but presentation is also vital!

For more information, visit my website www.sharonsteelerealestate.com

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Musical EntertainersMr. [email protected](908)309-4188http://www.mrray.com

Preschool of [email protected]://www.preschoolofrock.org

Cooking/Baking PartiesClassic Thyme710 South Ave., WestWestfield, NJ(908)232-5445http://www.classicthyme.com

SplurgeMillburn, NJ (973)379-0740http://www.splurgebakery.com

Dance PartiesDancer’s Pointe (various studio locations in NJ)908-241-9595http://www.dancerspointenj.com

Pure Dance MovementBerkeley Heights, NJhttp://www.puremovementnj.com/

Party VenuesBigg PlaydateScotch Plains, NJ(908) 490-1900http://www.biggplaydate.com

Build ‘n Blocks Livingston, NJ(888) 959-BLOCKS (2562)http://www.buildnblocks.com

I Love Little Scoops Cranford, NJ(908)497-7090http://www.ilovelittlescoops.com

Parti-liciousGarwood, New Jersey(908)228-5291http://parti-licious.com

Digiplex RialtoWestfield, NJhttp://www.digiplexdest.com

The WestwoodGarwood, NJ (908) 789-0808http://www.thewestwood.com

Indoor PlaygroundsKidz VillageKenilworth NJ(908)445-7220http://www.kidzvillage.com

Gymnasiums & Jumpy • Bouncy PlayMy GymWestfield, NJ (908) 317-0888http://www.mygym.com/west-field

Screamin’ Parties!Springfield, NJ(1-877)96-PARTYhttp://www.screaminparties.com

The Little GymCranford, NJ http://www.thelittlegym.com/CranfordNJ

Face PaintersLove, Peace and PaintPhone: (908) 768-7687http://www.lovepeaceandpaint.com

CreativityDoodleBugz Boutique & Studio 55 Main StreetMadison NJ (973)410-0102http://www.thedoodlebugzshop.com

Just Bead YourselfWestfield, NJ 07090(908) 232-3411http://www.just-bead-yourself.com/

Krafty KidzChatham, [email protected]://www.strandtc.com/krafty-kidz/

Princess PartyGigi PartiesGina Fernandez(908)656-4844http://www.gigispartiesnj.com

My Fairy Tale Party(973)309-3092http://www.myfairytaleparty.com

EntertainersMad Science Birthday PartiesServing all of New Jersey(800)281-9709http://www.madscience.org

Sweet Treats

The Cake Ball Lady(732)259-4910http://www.cakeballlady.com

Covered in [email protected]

Photo BoothStar Makers PhotoCranford, NJ(908) 272-0412http://starmakersphotofun.com

Photograhers

Photos by Lille(908) 279-9125www.photosbylillie.net

Tennis PartiesThe StrandChatham, NJ (973) 507-9412http://www.strandtc.com

THE BIRTHDAY ROUND-UP

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Winter Edition 2013