Poodle Post: May 2009

Welcome to the May edition of Delta Omicron Sigmas Poodle Post

Happy Mother's Day

Sigma Style: How to be a "Stress-less" Mom

Even if you are a first time mom or a seasoned mother with grown children, the following tips can assist you in become a stress-less mom. The U.S. Census reports that 51 percent of first-time mothers return to work within four months after giving birth. A mother may return to work by choice, out of necessity, or both. Whatever the reason, it goes without saying that being a working mom is one of the world’s great balancing acts. If you handle it with care, being a working mom can be a rewarding experience. Read on for tips on how to handle being a working mom.

1. Step 1

   **Make a realistic schedule.**
   
   Your schedule should be manageable. Don’t let guilt be your motivator when planning out the week. And remember to include some downtime! Scheduling in rest and relaxation periods will give you a chance to relieve built-up stress. As the saying goes, when momma’s unhappy, no one’s happy.

2. Step 2

   **Learn to depend on others.**
   
   Gather up a network of close friends and family you trust who can serve as your support group. Make friends with other working moms who understand where you’re coming from. You and the other moms can share advice on how to handle being a working mom. Weekly play dates for kids can be arranged so you and the other working moms can look forward to a little free time to do things without the kids, like errands (and napping!).

3. Step 3

   **Have faith.**
   
   If you are a working mom who believes in a higher power, now is the time to immerse yourself in that faith. Believing in a higher power often has a calming effect on people, especially working moms. Several studies have found a connection between faith and health. People who can ‘let go and let God’ have found a way to handle stress in their lives, and this helps protect against illness. As a working mom, it may be beneficial to your health to attend church regularly with your family.

4. Step 4

   **Appreciate the natural world around you.**
   
   Even if you are not a religious working mom, you can still gather strength from finding a connection with nature. A simple appreciation of the natural environment around you can relieve some of the stress that comes from being a working mom. Take several moments throughout the day, whether at the playground with your kids or stopped at a red light on your way to work, to look around and see all the beauty that nature has to offer.
   
   Being a working mom is no cakewalk. But with careful planning and a positive attitude, you can find balance between work and family.

Information found here

Sigma Sizzles: Fish Tacos


1/2 cup nonfat sour cream
1/2 cup nonfat mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 package Taco Seasoning Mix -- (1.25 ounce) divided
1 pound cod or other white fish fillets -- cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 package Taco Shells -- (12) warmed
***Toppings***
shredded cabbage
chopped tomato
lime juice

Taco Sauce

Directions:

COMBINE sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro and 2 tablespoons seasoning mix in small bowl.

COMBINE cod, vegetable oil, lemon juice and remaining seasoning mix in medium bowl; pour into large skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork. FILL taco shells with fish mixture. Top with cabbage, tomato and sour cream mixture, lime juice and taco sauce.

Chapter News: Upcoming Events

DOS will be busy in the next few weeks, we would love to see you at some of our upcoming events.

• May 16, 2009 Volunteering at the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure
• May 29, 2009 Stepping With the Sigmas Line Dancing Class

If you need additional information about these events or others, please contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com

Are you interested in serving your community? Working with others that have common interest as you? Then Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. might be for you. For more information about our chapter and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. in general contact us at dos1922@yahoo.com.

Special Edition: A Mother's Day Tribute

I have often wondered why a mother who stays at home and takes care of her children is called a “stay at home mom”? Could it be because society has taken for granted that a mom must be a mom plus something else? A doctor is not a doctor and a lawyer or vice versa, so why is it assumed that a mother must work out side of the home? Think about it, a mom takes care of her children. That IS her main responsibility. So, why wouldn’t the mother who works be called a “work outside of the home mom”? That should be the abnormality. However, the other phrase implies that a mother shouldn’t stay at home.

Well, I never thought that I would be the type to stay at home. Even with 5 children, it never crossed my mind. I dare to say because I worked out of the home so much, anything else seemed abnormal. Now, that I have been home and able to experience my children in those spontaneous and humorous moments, that were usually discarded as “playing too much” or “annoying”, I value staying at home. I see it as my first job, anything else is abnormal. I feel that society has got it all wrong with the “stay at home mom” tag. Just call me a mother and oh by the way…..I LOVE my job!

--Submitted by Soror Adrianne Edwards-Keaton

Sigmannouncements

• Happy birthday all sorors who celebrate a birthday in the month of May.
• Happy anniversary to all sorors who celebrate a Sigma anniversary in the month of May.
• Congratulations to Soror Avra Tucker on passing the lawyer bar. EE-Yip!!!
• For more information about upcoming events, please contact us at DOS1922@yahoo.com or check the side of the blog.