School is back in session. Kids are busy with schoolwork and many extra curricular activities. Moms are busy buying school supplies, making lunches and organizing family outings to football, dancing and many other activities their children are involved in.

It’s funny, with two daughters, my daughter never thought she would have season tickets to high school football games. But when her eldest joined the high school drill team, Friday night football became part of the family schedule.

I muse at how different things are now and yet, how they are the same in many ways. Parents still love, support and help their offspring develop from infants to teens to become productive members of society and even parents themselves.

Nonetheless, things are so different as well. When my kids were growing up, they rode bikes and climbed trees outside, rather than on a computer. They used the family phone to call friends to get together. Now they text, talk on miniature phones of their own and utilize a multitude of technology gadgets as if they have always been here.

My son’s daughter has an athletic scholarship in swimming in college. Something not likely before Title IX. College life has changed with the times, nevertheless it still opens a whole new world to many young adults as they taste their true freedom for the first time and realize that going to classes and doing their work is their responsibility, with no parents nagging them.

I love watching the changes and growth in the various generations, and look forward to watching them blossom even more as they continue to grow and thrive.

With Labor Day just behind us, I think about how hard everyone is working to stay afloat in this economy. Don’t miss out on these experiences with your children. You can’t get them back. Make memories for yourself and for them.

As the kids return to school, I scanned the calendar to see some of what the rest of the year will hold. Besides, work, family gatherings, kids back in school, they are many holidays we celebrate.

September holidays include Labor Day (6) and the day that changed our lives forever (9/11). I love happy occasions like celebrating Grandparents Day (12). After all, where would families be without them? I’m very lucky to be geographically close to most of my family, but with technology today, you can stay connected to love ones across the globe. The first day of autumn (23) signals that the Texas State Fairs (Sept 24-Oct 17) is here. I’m sure lots of states have fairs in the fall, but this one is big and has been a round a long time.

In October, America celebrates Columbus Day (11) and Halloween (31). Because of the milder weather, many charity races and walks take place in the fall, as well a numerous art fests and outdoor events from concerts to little league sports games.

In America, we have the midterm elections November 2. On November 11, Veterans Day, we remember the men and women who have served our country and preserved our freedoms. One of my favorite fall holidays is Thanksgiving (25). We have so much to be thankful for, plus we always celebrate with family and friends. Delicious food, endless football, fun conversations, and happy kids—what could be better?

As we enter December, we begin to look to 2011. We celebrate Pearl Harbor Day (7), the first day of winter (22) and the last day of the year (31). Additionally, they are many religious holidays celebrated throughout the year by the diverse population of our country.

I, like many enjoy our holidays. Some are fun, others significant of events in history, some memorial in spirit and others religious. Being able to celebrate with those who are meaningful to each of us makes them very special and enrich our lives.

A new year can be exciting. One of the fun times of the holiday season is celebrating with family and friends. I love getting together, catching up and all the delicious food that seems to accompany these kinds of festivities. 

 You have time to reflect on what you accomplished in the previous year and plan all you want to do in the new year. It’s like having a blank slate and being about to create the perfect scenario. Of course, being realistic, we all know that fate steps in and changes things some. But even then, it doesn’t hurt to have the vision and the dream for a great year.

2009 has been a challenging year for many people—the economy hit problems, unemployment rose, America is still at war on two fronts, home and car sales dropped and the list goes on. While illness took its toll on family and friends this past year, we managed to survive and probably even grew a little closer as a result.

We also shared many good times—family celebrations, birthdays, business successes, weekend retreats and more. Advisory Link survived the tumultuous year and is set for growth in 2010. We know it is because of the strong services we provide our clients, including our Exec-U-Link groups http://advisorylink-dfw.com/execulink.html which help support other women business owners, executives and car dealers. Additionally, our focus on the very important women’s market has always provided innovative ways to businesses on how to attract and retain women as both loyal customers and employees. 

 As this year draws to a close, I toast to everyone’s success—big or small, and to the bright future ahead.

Of course, my toast isn’t with champagne, but chocolate—so have a sweet year!

In the past, Thanksgiving meant a day of cooking, cleaning and preparing for women. Men enjoyed watching football, eating and relaxing. These roles in no way took away from the meaning of the holiday—sharing food with friends and family and giving thanks for what we have and for each other.

As with many things, traditions are changing. More women enjoy the football games and more men are doing the cooking. Men are more involved if frying or smoking the turkey is the method of preparation, rather than roasting the bird in the oven. But as far as my own family, it is a mixture. I imagine a lot of people are creating new traditions as roles evolve. One of my sons does all the cooking, except for what the guests bring. While both he and his wife like the Cowboys, she may be the bigger fan. My other son is very familiar with the kitchen, but his wife is the one in charge of planning, a lot of the preparation and most of the clean-up. She has a large family and on Thanksgiving the women gather in the kitchen, while the men watch football. My daughter is the cook in her family…on Thanksgiving and every other day.

I used to be the family cook as well. But since I currently work longer hours, my husband does most of the cooking. He has made some very impressive dishes. However, on Thanksgiving, it is definitely me in the kitchen and him in front of the TV. Some of my friends choose to go out to eat rather than cook, but I love smelling the wonderful aromas that are abundant at Thanksgiving.

What’s happening in your family? Who cooks and who watches football?

There are many ways I’ve seen the generations broken down. Below is one breakdown, but certainly not the only definitive way to categorize these generations.

Starting with 1922-1945, the names include Veteran of WWII, Silent and Traditionalists. There were approximately 27 million. The next and very large segment is the Baby Boomers. Born between 1946 and 1964, these 76 million people changed the marketing and buying patterns of the country. Generation X were born between 1965 and 1981 and number 60 million. Those born between 1982 and 2000 are called Generation Y, Millennials, Echo Boomers and Gamers. They number 74 million.

During the Silent Generation, men were the breadwinners and women were the  homemakers. That is, until they were needed to help out if factories during the war. Few products and services are developed or promoted to this audience. These women have experienced a world of technology and healthcare innovations in their lifetime. They are still viable consumers spending much more than marketers think, especially women born at the end of this era.

Women Baby Boomers were the first generation to receive a college education in large numbers. They became professionals such as doctors and lawyers, as well as corporate executives and business owners. They were not only a significant breadwinner, but the major spending for the family and often for the workplace. Divorce increased significantly and many became single parents. Boomer women changed the face of both the workplace and marketplace with their demands and spending clout. They believe in the buy now, pay later premise and credit card debt skyrocketed. Female boomers are rated as the most important demographic for many marketers and retailers today.

Generation X is much more skeptical than their parents, and with good cause. They have witnessed lying, corruption and massive layoffs. They were termed “latch-key kids” because both parents worked and mom wasn’t baking cookies when the kids got home from school. Women want much more balance in their lives than their mothers had. Many opt for flexible hours or staying home with the kids for a few years. Women in this generation haven’t had to fight many of the battles their predecessors did to achieve success in the workplace. They are able to make more demands of employers and work less than Boomers.
Millennials/Generation Y are the most-supervised and activity-programmed generation ever. Because of the multiple demands, many women in this group are superb multi-takers. Female Generation Ys are interested in the planet and “green” companies. They are active in social media and other internet activities, texting friends more often than calling them. They enjoy their careers, but it is not their lives. They have many interests.

We all know women have to juggle more things today than in the past. Many work outside the home, care for children and elderly parents and try to find a few minutes for themselves. Even though they are approximately 50% of the work force, in most case, they are still the one mainly responsible for the education, healthcare, clothing and feeding of the family.

Significant changes in the workplace are allowing more women to work flexible hours in order to attend their kids’ soccer games, recitals and school plays. This is a sound business move for companies as it encourages talented women to stay with their present company, rather than to seek employment elsewhere.

There is no doubt that women add a lot to the workplace. Their various perspectives, along with consensus and relationship building are great assets in today’s very competitive and complex working environment. In fact, many men, especially Gen X and Y are taking advantage of flexible work hours and enjoying their family in a way their fathers never did.

I’m a very lucky woman. I have three wonderful kids, three incredible kids-in-laws, five grandkids, a stepson and a great husband. All are productive, happy people, who are, or will be soon, contributing to their communities and their families. They enjoy their work as a police sergeant, computer diagnostics development specialist, school office administrator, financial professional, entertainment businessman, golf equipment procurer and bakery artisan.

I bring this up because in these tough economic times which we are all experiencing, we often count our problems more than our blessings. I am further blessed, because my kids and their kids all get along, enjoy being together and provide emotional support to each other when they needed it.

I know while it may be hard right now, things will get better in the economy again. We all have our trying moments. Some of which last for many, many moments. But watching my family grow, love and enjoy life is a something I can enjoy on a daily basis. And that’s what I choose to do.