Helping Hands/ Working Mother

Epinions Helping Hands Review

I’m writing this because it’s worth 3 cents a visit. “Wow!” you might say. “This is really an honest reviewer. Either that or she is writing just for the money and not for the fun of it.” Well, you’d be right on two of the three thoughts. I am honest. I am doing it for the money. But, where you’d be wrong is that I am ALSO doing it for the fun of it. The fun arrived at is in garnering as many visitors as I can to this review because the Epinions money that I earn for this review during the months of November and December, will be going to help make a difference in the Christmas of one of the students at my school.

This is being written as part of the Helping Hands Write-Off that many reviewers and myself are writing for this weekend. With the proceeds earned from the review (various time periods are named in various reviews) and with matching funds from some of us (various matches from various reviewers) the money will in some way help someone in need. I am pledging to match the funds by 10 times the amount. Since my reviews usually get about 100 reads each and each one is worth, in this case, 3 cents each, my goal is to contribute at least $30.00 to our school fund that reaches out and buys presents for one of the needy students and their family at our school. By your reading this, you have helped me to help someone else. (Now you know why I chose to write in a 3-cent category!)

Now, on to the review!

Working Mother Magazine

I first read this magazine at my nail salon. Since I am no longer a working mom with dependent children (but am a working mom with adult children) you may wonder why I enjoy this magazine. And I do! The reasons are varied. For one, most of the money, food and advice articles apply to working women at any stage of their lives. Another reason that I enjoy reading it is because the articles about kids are very well written and helpful for parents. I actually asked to buy the salon’s copy of the September issue (they ended up giving it to me :)because there were many articles about kids starting back to school and the role that parents should play in their education; how to help kids to successfully do homework; and sites online which are helpful to school age children. Since my profession is a teacher, these I found informative and they contained information that I could use and share with parents at our Curriculum Open House. So, even though the target audience is Working Moms the magazine has a broad base appeal.

The only people that I think would not gain help from it would be the backbone of working moms, Moms that work. These moms are the ones that we meet most often and that are trying very hard to be good parents and hold down a job. There is a difference between a job and a profession. A profession usually pays more. And this magazine's advertisements and articles tend to provide great help for those with higher end paychecks. Although I found some of the advice about school helpful for any income parent, some of the other month’s editions that I’ve read, offer fewer of these. The type of moms who work to provide necessities probably would be frustrated by the magazine. No where does this magazine offer advice to help the struggling to make ends meet mom.

FACT: “67% of working parents have said no to a business trip because it conflicted with a child’s activities.

Throughout this informative magazine targeted at “professional” working moms,” are these Working Mother Facts. Each appears at the bottom of a page and I found these to be highlights of this magazine. They include many really helpful tips and information for working moms. Many of them have to do with statistics about kids and money issues.

Other features included on a monthly basis:

FEATURED REVIEWS:
These can include articles written about various things related to work and motherhood. Examples would be “Building Bridges” (which highlighted a survey on schools meeting the needs of working parents); “Taming the Office Shrew”, (about keeping nasty co-workers from getting to you); and “Chore Wars,” (which asks the question, “Is who does what tearing you and your mate apart?). Good solid articles with information, statistics and workable solutions.

BALANCING ACT
Under this heading are many articles that appear monthly along with issues that change with each magazine. Monthly ones would include: Health (like, will coffee keep you young this month); Look (which deals with things like fragrances and bad hair days); Personal Time which highlights resources for single moms); Tech Life All about various Internet issues from dating to kids censorship; Money which is, “surprise” about money and financial advice; The Workplace which offers different ways to cope with your boss, co-workers, and juggling the time with your home responsibilities.

MOMMY NETWORK
This section carries many articles that have to do with kids and being a parent. A featured article in the magazine might have to do with shy kids and how to help them. Supplies and Projects might give advice on decorating kids lockers at school or how to make interesting brown bag lunches for the kids and for yourself at work. News is a section that gives you up-to-date information on the latest trends in childrearing.

FOOD
The food section contains many helpful articles about how to help a working mom cut down on kitchen duty. Good and quick recipes are offered along with nutritional information.

This magazine is entertaining, helpful and illustrated with fine photography. The advertisements sell useful products for families and kids along with numerous ads selling clothing for working professionals and school kids. One only has to look at advertisements in a magazine to be able to tell who the magazine is written for. My biggest complaint is the same one I have about many magazines…too many of those cardboard type ads that make it impossible to read the magazine easily without tearing them out (and in my case, throwing them away!).

This magazine is one that any professional working mom will truly enjoy!

Other reviewers that are participating in this Helping Hands Write-Off are:
alwaysstubborn, amykhar, argonut, bgoodday, bluehawg, bluesky2, bmcnichol, bops_mom, broadwaybaby, bunnyjav, caleo, canne, ceeJay62, cntaur5, conradd, cutie_pi, cyndiA, dani257, dannyzmom, darkmistress, diverpam, dreamcatcher39, dunkjam, emeleel, francesca57, frani49, gracef, grumpifrog, gypsyrose75, jcellis, jenni1396, jimdaisy, jo.com, joubert, katetpz, kelly60, kimmiekg, kristennc, kyhiera, lildev, maddi, meanbeast, merlot, mimi369, mmounsey, monicaL2me, mskills, mspooh5, pantazis5, pianomam, prepoia, rmartin_cpa, roadiem, shanny21, soxfan, sugarbugg23, suzig, taurusmoon, thinkerlady, tipu, viper1963, wavesandshells, wickedgood, and wildbillm.

By reading this and the above reviews, you will be contributing a “Helping Hand” to those in need.  Thank you.