Sometimes it really sucks being a mom.

Yep, I said it, and anyone with a three year old will tell you the same thing. But sometimes they sit next to me and quietly play, without screaming, without fighting me, without begging for anything, just being children. Sometimes they hug me and kiss me for no reason other than because they love me. That’s when motherhood is beautiful and I remember why I love my life so much. That’s when all the suckiness melts away and gives me positive experiences to draw upon when things aren’t calm, quiet, and beautiful.

When it sucks being a mom, remember the beauty of being a mother. It will help pull you through.

Since having children, I step back every December and reflect on the things I learned in the previous 12 months.  Thinking or writing about the experiences I had and how I connected (or didn’t connect) with my children helps me understand exactly how I grew and/or changed over the year.

In 2009, my second precious child was born. If anyone tells you that having two kids is easy, they’re lying. It’s a lot of work and sacrifice. Those who have more than two kiddos – you’re just downright brave.

The experiences of her birth and watching my oldest learn to cope with the fact that she’s no longer the only child have taught me a great deal about patience – and so much more.

So what did I learn this year about raising two small kids?

1. Don’t fret about germs. My husband believes his immune system is strong because he was allowed exposure to more germs. I’ve relaxed my germophobic tendencies and I must say – it seems like my kids are sick much less. My youngest has never been sick in her whole 7-month-old life.

2. There’s no shame in bribery. Can’t get a 3-year-old to eat her (relatively) healthy dinner? Bribe her with a frosted animal cookie. Works like a charm.

3. It’s ok to ask for help. This is one I struggled with after my oldest was born. I felt like asking for help made me weak. Not so. Asking for help when you feel overwhelmed is smart. It keeps you sane.

4. Don’t take on too much. Working from home and raising kids can be, by nature, a bit overwhelming. Being unavailable can affect your children negatively. Learn how to say no to projects or clients that are potentially draining. Working for yourself gives you the freedom to choose your clients. Take advantage of that by only working with people you enjoy, and only taking on projects that make you feel fulfilled. If you already have too much on your plate, it may be time to fire some clients or cut back your projects to a more realistic level. You aren’t Superwoman, despite what you may think!

5. Set aside special time with your kids. Designate the first two hours of the day or some other time to staying off the computer and away from work. The goal is to help your children feel special and loved by dedicating some of your time to them (and only them). No iPhone allowed – unless it’s made out of Play Doh.

I’ll just ask you this – who is doing all the shopping for the holiday season even as I write this post? Moms. Mothers. Madres. That’s right. Mamas are hot in the marketing world right now, as more and more companies are taking note of the purchasing power of mothers.

One company in particular is targeting moms in a new, exciting, and beneficial way. Vocalpoint, which is owned by Proctor and Gamble’s word-of-mouth marketing company called Tremor, takes a unique approach to finding out what consumers really think about products, while using moms to do most of the marketing. Who knew one mom’s voice could be considered so powerful?

Tremor’s branding encompasses movement, like waves, tremors, etc. by word-of-mouth marketing. They use Vocalpoint to get their clients’ products in front of over 500,000 mothers who have selected their interests via their Vocalpoint profile. This helps them target specific groups even more. The goal is to sign up mothers who spend time online. Moms who are online are generally interested in news, products, and sharing their experiences. Tremor and Vocalpoint capitalize on those aspects.

Vocalpoint signs moms up with the promise of recieving samples and being able to review the products they sample. And boy, do they deliver! I’ve received samples of Kashi cereal, granola bars, and countless coupons for Del Monte fruit and other food products. I’ve even written a few reviews.

The most recent piece I received in the mail is what caused me to write this article. It’s an incredible marketing piece, designed to look like a DVD (but not in a plastic case). Here’s a sampling of the printed piece’s design. You have to see it in person to get the full effect, but this link is a start.

A small, lift up flap made to look like a clapper board from a movie set contains valuable coupons for Del Monte fruit. Clever. Who wouldn’t want to open a piece of mail that looks so tempting? But that’s not all. Inside, where the DVD would reside, was a rubber-gripped jar opener, designed to look like a DVD. It’s in my utility drawer in my kitchen right now. Every time I look at it, I see Del Monte fruit. Talk about brand resonance!

All that being said, I think Proctor and Gamble, Tremor and Vocalpoint have discovered the valuable and unlimited power that moms and their word-of-mouth recommendations can bring. More companies should harness this power. The possibilities are literally endless.