It’s a real sign of the times when people are creating blogs to stay up to date with friends and family. I recently received an email from my sister-in-law informing us all of their new family blog. It’s so great to be able to bookmark a link that takes me to pictures and very entertaining stories about my brother’s little family. Of course it makes it all that much more exciting when there is a 14 month involved who says and does silly and cute things everyday!

They live in Kansas and I am out here in California so having the convenience to point and click into the latest new word or favorite new toy of my niece is just spectacular. If it wasn’t for video and picture messaging, blogs, web cams and Web 2.0, I just might have to move back to Kansas!! Luckily for me, technology is keeping up with the needs of those of us who can’t be in the presence of their loved ones each day or even each month. I do a pretty good job of seeing my family and friends back home about every 2 ½ to 3 months, but I live for those little updates whether it via text, email or on a blog. I have even got my mom and dad (in their 50’s) texting. They may not always be as quick and occasionally mom will respond a day late; but that doesn’t change the smile it puts on my face keeping those little connections between us throughout the week.

I have a feeling my mom sees this technology as bittersweet. On one hand she can see her daughter in CA and her granddaughter in Kansas City with a click of a mouse. On the other hand, she knows with technology advancing as much as it is, I will have plenty of quasi-real-life-resources to stay in touch with her and the rest of my family/friends – making it easier for me to reside in California longer!!

I’ll admit, I am looking forward to the day when I can see my family live on their cell phone while they see me live on mine and we happily catch up about the day’s events!

A new business has popped up in California that’s offering support to self-employed and freelance workers by redefining “bring your child to work day.”

At Silicone Valley’s Cubes&Crayons, experienced child care workers will watch after your children (ages 3 months to 5 years) while you git-r-done in their comfortable, wi-fi enabled workspaces, conference rooms, printing, copy and fax center.

It’s open to members and non-members from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and offers flexible scheduling so you make make an appointment or just drop-in. They even have a kitchen and break area for when you need a time out!

Members pay an annual fee of $149 with rates starting at $13 per hour; non-member rates start at $21 per hour.
Once again, a fantastic business idea we found on Springwise.com!

I’m afraid I might be missing the Mommy gene, despite my earlier expressed desire for children.

I dogsat for a week while my parents were out of town and it was unbelievably exhausting. Besides having to change my normal routines to accommodate her morning and evening walks, she woke me up every night and put the clampdown on my social life since I couldn’t leave her with my roommate alone.

On top of it all, something was wrong with her, either sickness or depression from missing my parents. She didn’t eat as much as usual, threw up one day, had slight case of the doggy runs and even pooped all over my bathroom floor (thank God for linoleum!). But being that I am no dog whisperer, I didn’t know if it was a serious ailment or fleeting reaction. I didn’t want to be an overprotective “parent” and rush panicked to the vet. Vets are expensive. Needless to say, I felt like the relieved aunt or grandparent when I rendered the leash to my parents. Moreover, the dog seems like her normal, happy self again.

While I know it’s just pet sitting, it gave me a bit of a glimpse into parenthood, which just seems altogether daunting and intimidating! At 30, I might be of child-bearing age, but I’m still a young professional building my life and career. It’s not to say I couldn’t become ready; the right circumstances just have to come together mentally, emotionally and, of course, financially. Saying you want kids is one thing; waiting until the time is right is another.

While I’m on the subject of finances, if you’ve never thought about how much it costs to raise a child, here’s an idea of what you can expect to spend from their birth to their first day at college, as published in YS Weekly last year.

Jovie Baclayon is the editorial director for YSN.com and an expert in the experiences faced by emerging adults. To learn more, check out Jovie’s YSN portfolio and feel free to e-mail her! She blogs every Wednesday and Friday on Waste Time Wisely.

Even the most career-focused individuals need a little lovin’! In honor of Valentine’s Day 2008, YSN.com presents a week-long series about achieving success in the relationships affecting your professional and, of course, personal lives. To kick things off, today we examine how applying a common business practice to your private life can result in a loving, lasting relationship. Click here to read all the articles in this special series

Due Diligence: It Applies to Love, Too! Lots of people seem to jump head-first into love and marriage without really performing the necessary due diligence, and our thinking is this: If you are willing to exert the effort to build a business plan, or a career, isn’t it even more important to do so for one of the most significant partnerships of your life?

In layman’s terms, due diligence involves the examination of costs, benefits, and risks for any venture you’re about to take on. So how does this apply to love? Well, it helps to think about all the things involved in a relationship, and what scenarios might come into play as you grow together. It’s important to spend a lot of time talking to your intended about your future goals, dreams, plans, concerns, ambitions, and limitations. Spend a good deal of time with their family and friends – soon these might be your family and friends, too! In turn, have them spend time with your family and friends. See how your careers (or lack of) affect or have the potential to affect both of you on a day-to-day basis, or over the long term. Look at what you argue about now, and imagine if that conversation were to continue for another 20 years.

Seriously talk through the big stuff – kids, retirement, career goals, money habits, your penchant for risk, your plans about moving your grandparents into live with you, your dream of becoming a foster parent, running for public office, or disappearing to an island for a few years sometime down the road. Forecast different scenarios in their best and worst case; it’s important to consider deal-breakers when it comes to risks, reactions to different situations, and things that might tear you apart. Yes, people can grow together and change a bit, but most of the time major problems that develop in relationship leave a good trail of clues early on if you pay attention.

We know that seems like an awful lot of work, but this is your lifetime we’re talking about, and that’s the biggest venture you’re ever going to build!

As co-founder and president of YSN.com, and as a relentless advocate for her generation, Jennifer Kushell’s efforts have impacted the lives and futures of millions across the globe. To learn more, check out Jen’s YSN portfolio and feel free to send her a YSN message!

Do psychological tests really reveal what’s in your subconscious?

I thought I’d end the week with an intriguing thought since I was told by a fellow blogger that my last two posts were borderline depressing. In my defense though, I think that “8 Ways Losing Your Job is Like Losing Your Lover” is rather inspirational and timely with Valentine’s Day on the horizon, and “7 Signs it’s Time to Find a New Job” is relevant because of the day’s political environment.

But I digress.

I’ve already mentioned my love of brain teasers and IQ tests but I also have an affinity for things that may or may not reveal your true desires or personality. From Chinese horoscopes (Happy Year of the Rat, by the way!) to chain fill-in-the-blank emails, I’ll read them all – taken with a grain of salt, of course.

But there are 4 exercises or questions that I believe offer a more revealing insight into what makes you tick:

1. What do you love?
A few years ago, I was given the task of quickly writing down everything I love and then exchange my list with someone else. There were a few other activities, but the goal of the exercise was to find your passion and perhaps get some insight into yourself through the eyes of a stranger. I remember my stranger telling me that I was simple, emotional and very appreciative of the little things in life.

2. Who do you admire and why?
A psychologist asked me this one and my answers was Oprah Winfrey because of her generosity and philanthropy. He explained to me that I would probably be a happier person if I was more selfless and giving, like Miss O. He recommended volunteer work or participation with a nonprofit.

3. What do you want in a partner?
This is probably my favorite and one I’ve told several of my YSN coworkers to try since it pretty much falls into the “you get what you focus on” belief. My mentor who worked for Tony Robbins recommended this one, which involves writing down every possible trait your ideal lover would possess – from hair color to level of success. Then you take that list and separate it into three categories: the dealbreakers (i.e. “must want kids”); things you can live without (i.e. “is a size 4”); and the things they can learn (i.e. “someone who enjoys rockclimbing”). If you want a meaningful relationship you have to have an idea of what you’re looking for. The idea is that you create a sort-of dating filter so that you don’t spend too much time on a Mr. or Miss Wrong, or quickly write off someone who could be Mr. or Miss Right just because he/she has brown hair.

4. What qualities do you dislike in other people?
This eye-opening question was also posed by a psychologist and makes me feel uneasy, admittedly because I don’t like what it “allegedly” reveals. I replied that I didn’t like selfish, judgmental people… which (apparently) are the qualities I don’t like about myself. Seriously???

Then again, what’s that saying? “When you point a finger at someone, remember there are three fingers pointing back at you.” Great…

Jovie Baclayon is the editorial director for YSN.com and an expert in the experiences faced by emerging adults. To learn more about Jovie, check out her YSN portfolio and feel free to e-mail her! She blogs every Wednesday and Friday on Waste Time Wisely.