Great gift ideas for working moms - Part IV

In this last installment of the working mother gift guide, we're going to look at  ideas for books and organizational tools that you may want to leave under the tree or in her stocking this year! Happy shopping!

Books

• "Happy Working Mothers Know" is a guide that offers practical advice on how to tap your own sense of joy everyday and how to be the best working mother you can be. It also provides case studies of other working moms, and interactive activities that illustrate important lessons in the book. The book is written by two working moms and reached the #1 bestseller list on the Wall Street Journal. Visit www.whathappyworkingmothersknow.com for more information. It can be purchased on Amazon for $10.62.  
• Give "99 Things to Save Money in Your Household Budget" by Mary Hance (a.k.a Ms. Cheap) in their stockings this Christmas. It's a handy and easy-to-read pocket book that offers simple suggestions that range from ways to save on grocery shopping, gift-giving and going "green" to responsible methods of cutting household expenses and finding cheap ways to be generous. The book retails on Amazon for $9.99.
• "It's not gourmet cooking. That's why I love it. Anyone can make a microwave mug cake," says Stacey J. Miller, author of the just-published "101 Recipes for Microwave Mug Cakes: Single-Serving Snacks in Less Than 10 Minutes". Miller didn't invent the microwave mug cake but she may be its biggest fan. She says "If there's a quicker, less expensive, simpler, and more foolproof way to get instant gratification in the kitchen, I can't imagine what it would be". But because she could only find one microwave mug cake online, Miller created 101 more recipes -- including a Pizza Microwave Mug Cake recipe -- and she's eager to share them with those who share her disdain for hauling out actual baking equipment and tons of ingredients. Microwave Mug Cakes are perfect for busy moms because kids can do all the baking with adult supervision, everything you need to make Microwave Mug Cakes is probably lying around your pantry right now, cleanup is a breeze, and no special equipment (beyond a spoon, a small bowl, a mug, and a saucer) is needed. The book is currently available on Amazon for $9.90.
• Sometimes moms can use a little inspiration and "Doorways To Daily Soul Nurturance: A Book For Daily Inspirational Focus" delivers. It's a spiral calendar of uplifting daily reflections, praise and gratitude. Doorways is a gift that truly keeps on giving throughout the year. It can be purchased at www.poweredbygeniuspublishing.com for $26.95.
• Do you know a mom that loves to work but may not be entirely happy with her current day job? Then the book "What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know!" may be the book for her. It centers around the concept of "Infopreneuring" which is a way to leverage your already unique knowledge and gifts— whether from a hobby, life experience or professional expertise—to make money. It is a flexible business that one can do as a sideline to their current employment or business, or as a standalone start-up at little to no cost thanks to all the free and low-cost, simple-to-use technology available via the internet. The author, Melanie Jordan, says that “Infopreneuring is an opportunity to be in total control of your own destiny, because your ability to earn a living is limited only by your personal drive and your knowledge, and no one can ever take that away from you.” The 327-page guide currently is available on Amazon $34.95 and can also be purchased from most other book retailers online.
• A new book..."Mother Daze... Tales from the Imperfect Playground" would make a perfect gift for a busy mom. The book is narrated by the author, Christine Carr, mother of three, who puts a funny spin on what life is truly like for mothers today - shuffling the kids to various activities and playdates. When does mom get to rest? Well, Carr gives moms the pep talk they need - just as if it was coming from her best friend across the street! Check out www.christine-carr.com or order it at Amazon for $10.76.

 Organizational Gifts

• baby daze products are perfect for mothers who attached to paper-based organizational tools. These are two of their products: baby daze log book - Features 8-sections for everything a new parent will encounter when caring for a newborn. Moms can keep track of baby's feeding, diapering, and sleeping schedules as well as medical information and baby milestones. Also and ideal gift if there are multiple people helping to take care of a baby (i.e. Nanny, grandparent, daycare) because they can quickly note information that a parent will want to know when they return home (naps, medication, diaper changes, etc). $19.95. sitter slips - A notepad designed to make sure that mom remembers to communicate everything she wants the sitter to know, and then helps the sitter remember everything without having to commit it to memory, such as bedtime routines, how to contact the parent (phone or text if you are at the theater), definite no-no's and food allergies. $6.99.
• Working moms need time-saving tools to keep organized, but why not give them something pretty and stylish too?  Notepatch creates, designs and prints eco-friendly notepads of 100 sheets. Moms can use the notepads to jot down reminders, thoughts and ideas or even their dreams! There is a beautiful notepad especially designed for every mother on your shopping list. Notepatch only uses recycled paper, eucalyptus paper, soy and vegetable ink. The notepads are $12 each. 

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