According to a new report by the Marketing to Moms Coalition, the State of the American Mom shows a shift in perception among working moms vs. stay at home moms. Surprisingly, more working mothers say they attend their child’s school and extracurricular events than mothers who do not work outside the home.

Also of note: African American mothers are the highest cell phone users in the group—relying on technology to talk to their children more frequently during the day.

The bottom line: we moms are a powerful consumer group.

Raise your hand if you agree….today’s school plays (at least in Westchester that “high-achieving” area) is all about kids who take acting lessons getting the lead parts in the school play—we’re talking the middle school level while kids (like mine!!) are relegated (every year!) to chorus or other non-speaking parts. My daughter is now quitting—just the same kids over and over getting the top parts. Why do we need Broadway style productions at the middle school level? I, for one, still appreciate the cuteness of a REAL school play!

Everyone in my family is sick—always happens this time of year when it’s one temperature outside but a whole other climate inside. The other day it was warmer outside than in my office, where, most of us were tying wearing our coats. Today it’s hot as … well, you know where.

Same with my kids’ school—it’s hot (or cold) inside; then cold (or hot) outside. And so: hello cold and flu season. At least it’s the weekend (yeah!) so we can all regroup.

More scintillating blog-fodder to come….promise! Where are you, Steve C.?

We all know life isn’t fair. So accept that before you read on.

How you look equates to how you may be treated at the office.

According to a study by Yale psychologist Marianne LaFrance women with medium-length hair was equated with communicating “intelligence” at the workplace. Hair which was too long and sexy made women look less smart and professional. Ditto for hair which was too short and boyish.

In another study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, researchers found that there’s a “pretty premium” – with beautiful people tending to earn 5% more an hour than “their less comely colleagues.” Plus, another study also showed that the wage differential for obesity seems to be limited to “white women.” Of this group, those considered “obese” in terms of their body mass index (BMI) in both 1981 and 1988 earned 17% less than women within their recommended BMI range!

As if we women didn’t have enough to think about!

I love Halloween. I love seeing the kids in their costumes and the creativity of little minds. But here’s the one thing I hate: all the leftover candy. Which is why I love the idea two Harrison doctors had: to collect candy and send it overseas to troops in Iraq who can share it with children in the region. Just drop it by Drs. Ken Magid and Henry Rapp’s office: 163 Halstead Avenue in Harrison or call 914-835-0542 for directions.