YES, this is my tip for today!  I raised my daughters that every voice counts.  Even more powerful is the sacrifice woman made for years…fighting to even have the right to make their thoughts know!  It is our responsibility as citizens and woman to participate in the process of democracy.

When my oldest Lindsay was about 7 years old a commercial for M&M appearing during one of her television shows.  It was the one with Halle Berry talking to (I think) the red M&M.  She was very sensual, erotic and suggestive.  I sat there thinking “Who is M&M targeting in this commercial??!!”  During the Magic School Bus cartoon show??  This is a children’s show for God sake!  Of course I made my thoughts known verbally and my daughter looked at me and asked “Mom, what could I do about it?”  I told her she could write a letter to the Mars Corporation.  Let them know how you feel about the portrayal of woman in this commercial and ask why it is running during your television show?

Both of my daughters are now of age to vote…and vote they do!  Whether you agree with our governmental process, even if you believe our system is in desperate need of a hard look…it is your RESPONSIBILITY to vote!  As woman, our predecessors found too long and hard for our right.  Time to make you voice heard!  (And if you don’t…don’t bitch about our state direction!)  Your thoughts?

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I can’t begin to collect my thoughts about this subject matter.  A young mother giving her 8 year old daughter Botox injections to further her “pageant” desires.  Any mother who has any affection for their children would find this story appalling and disgraceful.  Lying or not, true or false….a bad parent is a bad parent.  I impressed a sentiment to my daughters for several years;  you need a license to shoot a duck, to cut someones hair, to practice law, to catch a fish and in Memphis you cannot panhandle without a license!!  In Massachusetts you need a license to tell fortunes!  But ANYONE can procreate!

As a rule, I hate bring attention to a story that brings that “15 minutes of fame” to an individual who is less than deserving of the media crazy…I have no problem showcasing this mother’s interview!  Look, watch, think…is procreation a right or responsibility?

ABC NEWS!

How do you talk to me Mister/Miss business owner?   Being in the marketing industry for over a decade it still amazes me that most businesses don’t have the first clue on how to talk to woman or to moms.  How are you solving my problem or my need?  Do you know what they are?  Where do you go to learn about me?

With the explosion of technology and social aspects available on line, moms have been given more empowerment.  We now learn from each other and the intimidation we once felt facing the challenges of right or wrong decisions is fading.  We (Moms) are more confident and self assured!  We are out in the work force finding our way.  We are the most powerful financial force today.  When a decision to buy is  made in the average household today, women have the largest influence.  Yet, you still don’t know how to talk to me!?

This article from Media Post by Stacy Morrison addresses one key to understanding our voices.  She is the editor of Redbook and the article is “How to talk to Moms?  Listen.” 

Yes, we moms want to be witnessed, to spend some time on our “to-be” list, instead of merely living our “to-do” list, to get to be women first sometimes, just for ourselves. We get to be a “mom and” these days, not “just a stay-at-home mom” or a “working mom,” but a mom and a yoga teacher, a mom and an entrepreneur, a mom and a community organizer, a mom and a beauty addict, a mom and a church leader, a mom and so much more. And the only way for a marketer to learn the “so much more” is to open your ears (and your email in-box, and your Facebook page, and your whatever else you can imagine) and ask the question: “Hello, who are you?” And then listen.

She makes note that the social medium has allowed not only given herself, but other business as well, the advantage to actually learn about their potential readers and customers.  With Facebook, Twitter and others it gives them the opportunity to really listen to their concerns, problems and needs. 

So, all you out there who want me as a woman and mother to come through your door, buy your product, or refer you to my friends…are you listening?

Photo by Thibodeau