5 Tips for Parents to Negotiate a Pay Raise During Inflation

"Guard your time fiercely. Be generous with it, but be intentional about it."

- David Duchemin

Well, well, well. Look who survived until Wednesday. You deserve a trophy, or at least a hot coffee. Now, let’s get to the stuff that’ll make you the queen bee of this mom hive.

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• Get more 💰 during inflation

• Mute those obnoxious toys

• Broccoli in pizza? Genius.

• Butterfly craft for little hands 🦋

Strong Coffee, Stronger Moms

5 Tips for Parents to Negotiate a Raise (During Inflation)

Balancing the family budget feels like a circus act, doesn't it?

And guess what—the 7.5% national inflation rate over the last couple years just added another juggling ball.

Here's your guide to mastering the fine art of salary negotiations, even as the cost of, well, everything, goes up.

Talk Performance, Not Diapers

Remember, your worth in the workplace isn’t measured by your home expenses but by your contributions.

Lead with your achievements, whether you nailed a big project or got praise for your work.

Experts suggest you bring data that proves how you've helped the company shine.

• Mom Tip: Keep a 'brag file' on your work computer where you can quickly drop any emails of praise or summaries of successfully completed projects. This will make it super easy to gather your 'proof points' come negotiation time.

Know Your Worth, and Ask for It

You can’t play the game if you don’t know the rules, right?

So, research typical salaries in your field and location. LinkedIn Salary is a good place to start.

This way, you’ll know what to aim for without lowballing or going overboard.

• Mom Tip: Have a chat with a trusted colleague who's in a similar role but maybe a few steps ahead career-wise. Sometimes, candid conversations can offer you the best insights into what you should be earning.

Think Beyond the Monthly Paycheck

Here’s the fun part. If your company can’t raise your salary right now, what else would make your life easier?

Think flex-hours, extra vacation days, or even a title bump. Every little bit helps, and flexibility is practically a currency for us moms.

• Mom Tip: If you're negotiating non-salary benefits like remote work days, frame it in terms of productivity benefits for the company, not just how it will save you childcare costs.

Know Your Benefits Package Inside and Out

Before you go into the negotiation room, learn about the family-friendly perks your company offers.

Maybe there are childcare benefits you weren’t aware of? Make a tiered list of what would actually benefit you and your tiny tribe.

• Mom Tip: Don't forget to look into benefits that might directly benefit your kids, like college saving plans or educational stipends. Employers often have 'hidden' benefits that can really add up.

Share the 'Why' with Stats and Heart

Yes, inflation is the elephant in the room. Have some key stats handy, like the 9.7% jump in wholesale inflation and how 80% of Americans feel groceries are more expensive. Blend data with personal stories for a compelling case.

• Mom Tip: Script out your negotiation points ahead of time, but make sure to also practice saying them out loud. It's easier to be compelling when you're comfortable, and that comes with rehearsal.

Conclusion

Alright, there’s your playbook, momma.

Even if you can't negotiate a salary bump that matches your superhero mom skills, remember that the goal is progress, not perfection.

So, go forth and negotiate 🌟

Keep reading here.

Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤 

Poll Results From 10/9

How do you introduce your kids to the concept of chores and responsibility?

 🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Assign age-appropriate chores (33%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Lead by example, they help me with my chores (41%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Make it a game or challenge (3%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ We have not introduced chores yet (23%)

Featured Response 🙂 

Mom Hack

Soundproof Those Loud Toys

Mom Hack

Tired of those slightly-too-loud toy noises?

Simply put a piece of tape over the toy's speaker.

It lowers the volume without killing the fun. Ahh, sanity saved.

Mom’s Menu

Veggie Packed Pizza Rolls 🍕🥦

Struggling to get the kiddos to even look at a vegetable?

Yep, I've been there—heck, I live there.

What if I told you we've found a magical way to make your little ones beg for spinach?

Let's dive into Veggie Packed Pizza Rolls! 🎉

Ingredients 📝

Sauce

• 1/4 cup spinach

• 1/2 medium green bell pepper

• 1/4 cup white mushrooms, sliced or pieces

• 1/2 medium onion

• 1 medium red tomato

• 1 medium carrot

• 1 medium zucchini

• 1 cup spaghetti or marinara sauce

Crust

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast

• 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup water

• 3 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Instructions 👩‍🍳

1. Veggie Prep: Chop your choice of the veggies listed (aim for 2 cups) and sauté until slightly tender. Blend 'em up with the marinara sauce.

2. Dough Time: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and oil. Gradually add the remaining flour to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead until smooth.

3. Let It Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 30 mins.

4. Preheat Oven: Get that oven hot at 400 degrees F.

5. Roll It Out: Roll out dough into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle (about 12 by 10 inches).

6. Sauce & Cheese: Spread 1 cup of your secret sauce and sprinkle mozzarella on top.

7. Roll and Slice: Roll up the dough and slice into 8-12 pieces.

8. Bake: Place in a greased muffin tin and bake for 15-20 mins until golden brown.

Notes 📌

• Freeze 'Em: These bad boys can be frozen! Just let them cool, refrigerate to firm up, then toss them into a gallon-sized zip-top freezer bag.

• Honesty Is Key: Remember to let the kids know about the hidden veggie treasure! After all, honesty is the best policy—even when sneaking in veggies!

There you go, mom!

Say goodbye to mealtime negotiations and hello to happy faces. 

Your veggie-packed ninja skills just leveled up. 🥷🥕🍕

Full recipe here.

Daily DIY (Kids Edition)

Coffee Filter Butterfly

Coffee filters aren't just for coffee anymore!

Show your kids how they can transform them into beautiful butterfly wings.

Just grab a clothespin for the body, and you've got yourself a neat little insect.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

We all have those "Oops, forgot to document that!" moments.

That's why this memory book is a lifesaver. 📔

It's an easy and beautiful way to capture all those firsts, from the first smile to the first spaghetti face.

Trust me, you'll thank yourself later. 😄 

Keepsake Memory Book for Baby

Game

Tiny Faces, Big Names

This cutie pie would go on to win a ton of Grammys with their incredible voice. Who is it?
(Answer below)

Mom’s Meme 🤣

Answer

B) It’s John Legend!