From the editor
I am so ready for spring. I wasted those fleeting warm days last month thinking I was too busy to get up from my desk and spend even a few minutes outside in the sun.

It’s the story of my life these days because I am either at my desk or ferrying the kids to Irish dance lessons, birthday parties or picking up their constant clutter. My life is probably not a whole lot different from yours—as parents, we all devote most of our time and energy to making sure our kids are the happiest they can be.

This month, though, comes a reminder that we can’t forget about ourselves in the process. We asked some of Chicago’s parent coaches for free advice on the biggest issues they see as they work with parents.

It turns out, at least according to these coaches, putting our needs and happiness on the back burner doesn’t really help our kids. The takeaway: For our kids to be happy, we need to be happy. That means fueling our own interests, too, and remembering the simple joys of being parents.

This month’s issue also will definitely help save you money, another thing we’re all focused on these days. You’ll find great meal ideas for less than $3 a serving, help for navigating health insurance needs and unemployment benefits, 20 cost-cutting tips you can use right now and frugal ideas from real moms who show us all we can cut back without sacrificing anything our kids need.

I wish you all a happy March.

 

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