As working Moms we know the struggle to balance work life with family life - it’s seldom easy and a constant juggling act. But these Moms make it look easy. We wanted to pay them tribute and did so in this article we wrote for one of our all time favorite sites, The Cradle- enjoy!

We’re sure you all have a favorite Mom, but we wanted to introduce you to one of The Baby Planners’ picks for America’s Favorite Mom - Lisa Druxman. Last week we had the pleasure of hanging out with Lisa and her lovely Mom, Bonnie. Not only is Lisa one of our mentors and friends, she is the amazing Mom behind Stroller Strides. In case you aren’t familiar with it, this is a “total fitness program for Moms and their babies” and definitely worth checking out if you’re a new Mom in need of fun, friends and fitness.

If you’re looking for more Mom inspiration, head to your TV this weekend and tune into Teleflora presents America’s Favorite Mom, an NBC special airing this Sunday, Mother’s Day. We say, put the kids to bed, grab your gift box of chocolates and enjoy the show!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Anna Getty - yogi, mom, heiress and friend of The Baby Planners’, May is now officially Pregnancy Awareness Month - yay! We recently attended the inaugural event at the Skirball Cultural Center here in Los Angeles.

There was an amazing panel discussion with Pre & Post Natal experts, a Work/Life Balance round table discussion with Cookie Magazine’s Executive Editor Alanna Stang, and yes even a yummy organic lunch! A portion of the proceeds from the event benefited Healthy Child Healthy World.

The goal of PAM is to empower pregnant women and it got off to a tremendous start. Check out their website for more information — you’ll be glad you did!

We wanted to share this sweet poem we recently received. It was written by the Mother (and new Grandma!) of one of our happy new Moms - we love it!:

If you are pregnant and need some advice,
Phone The Baby Planners…do not think twice!
Melissa and Ellie will show you the way to ease all your problems till delivery day.
A crib or a nanny, car seat or cook, diapers, bottles or infant care book.
The premier baby planners in the industry
Promises you an experience that is “totally” care free.
They take the labor out of your delivery!

Thank you, Phyllis M.! and congratulations again!…

I don’t think that I want to come back to work after my baby is born. Would it be unethical of me to keep quiet, collect maternity leave and disability and THEN let the company know I won’t be returning?

In a word, yes. But we only wish it was that easy. While the mommy track question undoubtedly creates anxiety, uncertainty and financial hardship, we truly believe that honesty and an open dialogue is the way to go. We have found that while you can’t predict how you’re going to feel about going back to work once baby arrives, it’s always better to deal with these issues before you leave to avoid hard feelings later. Leaving your workplace on good and honest terms is better for you down the road. Collecting maternity leave and disability pay only to quit afterwards, hurts not only the company, but your reputation and the countless number of women who come after you.

If you have a baby-related product question that you’d like to send us for possible inclusion in our Ask The Baby Planners column, please contact us and mention Q&A in the subject box.

After hours, days, and weekends with nothing but work, work, work, we knew the time had come to slow down, take a deep breath, load up our cars and head out for a long overdue company retreat. And what a treat it was!

The Baby Planners, with our families, pets and tents in tow, headed for the California desert and did the unthinkable. We relaxed. We read. We rode bikes. We roasted marshmallows. It was much needed, so much fun and very necessary!

Now we’re refreshed and ready and hope to make The Baby Planners’ retreat an annual event!

It’s time to celebrate green - not just our favorite color but a true call to action. Whether you drive a hybrid car or recycle like crazy, your efforts are making a big difference!

They say that sustainability is the green way of life, so let’s try and sustain this lifestyle not just today, Earth Day, but every day in any way we can. For more information on some of the things our clients are buying in an effort to greenify their lives, check out this article on eco-must haves!

Going green is not as disruptive to your life as you might think. Why not start by giving those green cleaning products a try? You can also install that inexpensive water filter to your kitchen faucet. Yes, even using reusable plastic containers instead of resealable bags in your kids’ lunches will have an effect on the environment and teach your kids an important lesson about waste.

So while our favorite celebrity frog said, “it’s not easy being green,” we beg to disagree and hope you do, too.

It’s that time of year again, the old spring clean. For a few of The Baby Planners tips on getting this dirty deed done, check out this article we wrote for one of our favorite sites.

Does sending out a birth announcement make it look like I’m begging for gifts?

Absolutely not! In no way, shape or form does it seem like you’re begging for gifts - this is your greatest accomplishment to date, announcement worthy for sure. You just had a baby, let the world know! Shout it from the rooftops, send the mass email, and yes, without a doubt, send the birth announcement! It may be one of your own creation or a fab find from your favorite stationer, or even an e-announcement - it’s all good. And remember, a congratulatory note as a result of your big announcement is often times a better keepsake than a stuffed bunny.

If you have a baby-related product question that you’d like to send us for possible inclusion in our Ask The Baby Planners column, please contact us and mention Q&A in the subject box.

Looking for the perfect baby gift but don’t know where to start? The Baby Planners can be of assistance! Whether it’s purchasing one of our fabulous gift certificates or reading an article we recently wrote for The Cradle, we’ve got you covered!

“The Path To The Perfect Present” offers readers loads of tips on how to “wow” the parents-to-be! And while you’re there, take a look around The Cradle - a new website/lifestyle destination for expectant and new parents. This innovative site brings social networking to a whole new level. You may even find yourself a little “wowed” with all The Cradle has to offer!

As for purchasing a The Baby Planners gift certificate, feel free to contact us for more information.