Work/family balance for back-to-school season The lazy days of summer have quickly faded. When the back-to-school ads start popping up, many moms feel bittersweet: the kids are back in school (yeah!), but here come the school schedule, homework, fund-raising events, and family obligations. Let's remember to add in time for Mom! Here are some quick tips and thoughts to help busy moms balance the demands of work, life, family, and self. Changing direction Have you ever changed your mind? It's something that we generally don't like to do. Even the phrase sounds negative. It seems to emphasize that your prior decision wasn't a good one. But that's not really fair. Maybe a more accurate description would be that you changed direction. Money expert Gary Foreman explores a couple areas where working moms should evaluate a change of direction. Read on ... Go ahead and fire your customer We wind up with unprofitable customers not because of the price we're charging them, but because of the intensity of their demands and requests. You know what I'm talking about. It's the customer who seems to always want one more thing. No matter how good you think the service is that you're providing them, they keep asking for something more. Read on ... Networking as your sole marketing vehicle Networking is simply one of the most important activities in which professionals engage. If we capitalize on networking opportunities properly, they can be quite profitable for us while making the world a better place for everyone else. Read on for six logical steps to succeed in networking. Read on ... Dealing with a demanding boss Being a good enough mother Working for a boss who's demanding can be difficult and unpleasant. It can also be a real learning experience, depending on how you handle it. There are a number of things you can try in an effort to smooth out your working relationship with what might just be an insecure, reactionary supervisor. Every mother has struggled with the question of whether she is doing a good enough job. How do you conquer these inner uncertainties and become a mother who knows she is not only good enough, but great? Read on for some ways to change your perspective on your mothering skills.   Also in Career How to ace your interview and land your dream job Turn socializing into networking Don't waste a challenging economy Dealing with difficult people Goals vs. intentions Five ways to build your digital reputation Home-based offices Giving bonuses A prime time for women in leadership How to improve your concentration. 10 steps to set and achieve your goals How to avoid "a failure to communicate" Reduce your spam Achieve more balance by learning to slow down Working mom's maternity leave checklist Overcome a confidence crisis Part-time work arrangements How a mentor can help your career Overcoming working mom anxiety Career article archive   Flex Your Maternity Leave If you're a mom-to-be who works outside the home 40+ hours a week, it's likely your standard maternity leave will be a mere six weeks, then it's back to the job, full-time. For many new moms, returning to full-time work after six weeks is often a logistical challenge. Pat Katepoo explains how you can use the FMLA to phase back into work.