Stay-At-Home Dads Are on the Rise in the U.S.

by Christina MarficeDecember 12, 2022

An estimated 2.1 million dads stayed home with their kids in 2021, an 8 percent increase since 1989

By now, we all know that gender roles don’t serve anyone. And more and more, Americans are bucking traditional trends when it comes to work, household management, and childcare. According to new research from Pew, an estimated 2.1 million fathers were stay-at-home dads in 2021, which is an 8 percent increase since 1989.

Experts believe the rise of stay-at-home dads across the U.S. is, at least in part, because women are beginning to out-earn their male partners. Women have outpaced men at earning college and advanced degrees for over two decades now, and because of this, more men are choosing to give up their careers when full-time childcare is required. And with the dramatic rise in childcare costs in recent years, it’s becoming more and more necessary for families to have a parent stay home, rather than sending their kids to daycare.

Plus, with the rise in remote work and flexible work schedules, it’s becoming much more possible (and common) for men to work from home while caring for their kids. This means dual-income families are able to stay that way, even while having a parent stay home with the kids.

All these factors have converged during a time when dads are also taking a more active role in child-rearing than they ever have, historically. In 2016, fathers self-reported that they spent about eight hours a week taking care of their kids. While we’re going to ignore the fact that that’s still way too low, it is three times as many hours as dads reported spending engaged with their kids in 1965. The same trend is happening with household chores—2016 dads reported spending about 10 hours a week on chores, compared to just four hours in 1965 (moms, on the other hand, report spending 14 hours a week on childcare and 18 hours a week on housework).

The economic turmoil of the last few decades may be at play here. During the Great Recession, 2.2 million fathers became stay-at-home dads after losing their jobs. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, many men left the workforce and still have not returned—federal jobs numbers show that as of last month, there were 7 million U.S. men ages 25 to 54 who were unemployed and not looking for work.

80% of People Would Rather Change Careers Than Work In-Person Full Time Again

by Tinybeans TeamAugust 25, 2022

The understatement of the millennium is that there have been a few changes in how, when, and where people work since the start of the pandemic. But beyond an idle observation, companies are taking note of what this means for them, and how this changes the expectations of their employees.

In a recent Gallup’s State of the Workforce study conducted in May/June, key findings point toward workers in the U.S. working at least some of their hours remotely after the pandemic. Another survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Rippling showed that three-quarters (76%) of respondents said they’d even apply to a role outside of their current industry if it were completely remote. This is big news for employers, indeed—particularly when a labor shortage rages.

Components of the labor shortage have been debated, but regardless of how you believe politics, policy, and demographics are contributing to it, it’s clear that some forces are having an impact. Women, for instance, have had to make particularly difficult career decisions as school boards across the country shut down schools for much of 2020 and 2021. Turns out, being an instructional facilitator and providing educational tech support for a houseful of unmotivated and sometimes depressed or anxious kids doesn’t do much for the ol’ career path. Shocker. In January’s jobs report, the labor force participation rate for men was 67.9 percent, compared with 56.8 percent for women.

But working from home—particularly when you’re not simultaneously running a virtual learning academy from your kitchen table—has brought with it a suitcase of successes. In the OnePoll survey, 77% of around 2,000 respondents reported finding simple pleasures in working from the comfort of their home. More frequent coffee or snack breaks (54%), more time with family (51%), a more casual dress code (50%) and more comfortable seating (50%) were all big-ticket reasons employees liked the set-up.

Gallup reported key findings that of nearly 9,000 Americans surveyed, “91% of workers in the U.S. working at least some of their hours remotely are hoping their ability to work at home persists after the pandemic, 54% of employees who work remotely at least some of the time say they would ideally like to split their time between working at home and in the office — a hybrid arrangement and 3 in 10 employees working remotely say they are extremely likely to seek another job if their company eliminates remote work.”

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So what’s a company to do? There are clear benefits and comforts of remote work, but OnePoll found that “it presents a challenge for people to communicate with their co-workers and manager (48%), have their work recognized (44%), and maintain a work-life balance (44%).” Particularly during the onboarding process and for younger associates who might rely on seasoned employees for career progression, a fully remote workplace means more challenges and fewer opportunities.

One thing’s for sure: the future of the workforce is going to look very different from its past, and a hybrid model is what’s appearing in many an employer’s glass ball. Mark Lobosco, VP of Talent Solutions at LinkedIn tells ZDNet “Now that companies have built the framework – and experienced the cost and time savings associated with it – there’s no real reason to turn back.”

This Streamlined Solution Helps Busy Parents Keep Track of Their Most Precious Docs & Photos

by Amber GuetebierMay 26, 2022

“I’ve got plenty of spare time!” said no parent, ever. From playtime to meals to baths, our days are packed with plenty of to-dos, so anything that saves us time and helps us stay organized is a welcome addition.

Enter OneDrive, a busy parent’s best bet for keeping track of documents and photos all in one place. From family photos to school essays, OneDrive streamlines your virtual desktop and your real-life desktop into one neat, easy-to-access place to find the important files you need, right when you need them. No more struggling to find their latest report card, your favorite photo of Grandma, or your mortgage doc.

Read on for our top five reasons busy parents need OneDrive in their lives.

1. Save All Those Precious Works of Art

Free up some space on your fridge and hold onto the memories, not the stuff, by scanning all those beautiful scribbles and saving them to OneDrive. Whether that’s to protect them from fading and spills or to create an archive they’ll treasure, you can also print whatever you want and easily share it with friends and family.

We can’t guarantee you won’t still have a few dioramas around, but you’ll definitely reduce clutter and keep the images that mean the most to you and your kids for the long haul. Plus you know you can keep what’s important: OneDrive keeps your files protected and backed up. With your files in OneDrive, you don’t have to worry about losing them if something happens to your device.

2. Store Important Documents in One Safe, Secure Place

Get organized and save time by storing your most important documents in one safe place. No more fumbling around files or a million desktop folders looking for your insurance documents or tax forms. Put all your documents on OneDrive and you’ll still be able to easily search by text.

And don’t worry about the “oops” moments when you (or one of your kids) have deleted a file. You can undo accidental deletes and edits for up to 30 days.

3. Simplify Collaboration for Family Events

Whether it’s a wedding speech or your next vacation itinerary, OneDrive allows easy collaboration directly in documents. Just share the link with those who you want to weigh in and easily allow them to edit directly in the document, making it possible to coordinate across time zones and schedules.

You can even work with others on the same document at the same time with the latest Office desktop apps, mobile apps, or in Office Online, taking out the stress and putting some of the fun back into planning family events.

4. Keep Track of Each Child’s Progress & Growth

Make a file for each child and keep their report cards, school forms, important health documents, and any assignments all in one, easy-to-find place. If you need your kids to stay on top of a school paper or you just want to see what the latest progress report is, keeping them in one simple place that can be accessed across a variety of devices will ensure they—and you—can find anything with a few quick clicks.

5. Digital Nomad Like a Pro

Thinking about a change of scenery? If you work remotely, you’ll love that OneDrive lets you access and edit your files from all your devices, anywhere. Whether that means looking for a photo while you're in the pickup line or working from the cabin, OneDrive helps you stay organized from just about anywhere you’ll go.

If you’re in the market for an easy solution to keep all of your important papers, colorful artwork, and treasured photos in one safe, secure place (because who isn’t?) you’ll find OneDrive the answer you’ve been looking for. Learn more at microsoft.com/OneDrive.

— Amber Guetebier

New Study Shows 79% of Moms Prefer Remote Work

by Karly WoodFebruary 3, 2022

The pandemic has reshaped the landscape of many aspect of our lives, and perhaps one of the biggest is the balancing act of parenting and work. In December 2021, Kuli Kuli, Sylvatex, and Uncommon Cacao (all mom-backed companies) performed a survey of over 1,000 working moms to get a better understanding of how the pandemic has altered their ability to juggle work and parenting.

The survey polled women in all 50 states, with single moms accounting for 45% of the respondents. Seventy-two percent had one or two children, 60% came from low income backgrounds and moms included those who identified as white, Black, Hispanic or Latina and as Asian, Middle Eastern or North African, or multiracial. All that to say: the survey covered a lot of diversity!

While there were many revelations from the survey as it demonstrated the lack of childcare, moms becoming a “default parent” at home, a large exit from the workforce and more, one key point stands out: Flexibility keeps moms working.

photo: Pexels

Out of necessity when the pandemic started, many moms made the choice to leave the workplace to provide some sense of normalcy and to balance domestic life because their employers didn’t provide enough flexibility. And while 55% of moms said that spending more time with their children was a bonus, moms actually benefit from having work that is flexible as it “significantly relieved some of the pressure points of parenting that were exacerbated by the pandemic.”

Of those surveyed, 79% of moms prefer remote work when it comes to the environment. When they have access to empathetic employers, flexible hours and paid time off they are more likely to stay with their current employer. Many moms found that their employers (especially those with leadership who were parents themselves) were willing to roll with the punches and make swift changes to allow their employees to work remotely.

Stephanie S. from the survey shares, “Going into the office is completely optional. It’s a mutual respect for priorities in both our world’s that has been missing for so long…I’m so glad to be part of a movement to a more equal future that provides respect and support in the most important work we will ever do, raising the next generation.”

While there is much work to be done to continue evolving the workplace to incorporate parenthood, many employers are well on their way to offering the flexibility that is key to keeping moms working. You can read the rest of the survey findings here.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: RODNAE Productions via Pexels

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How Our Family Discovered the Gift of Time

By Jordan Manfredi

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

August 3, 2021

Photo: Jessica Rockowitz via Unsplash

I’m writing this as I watch the peach, purple and blue sunrise over the mountains and through a community of Aspen trees that envelope our little cabin in Fairplay, Colorado. Our faithful dog, Harry is by my side and my family is sleeping peacefully. Tomorrow, I’ll be flying my kids, Lily Love (4 years) and Bear (1 year) back home to New York, while my husband James starts his cross country journey home with a truck full of clothes, toys and his four-legged best friend.

It’s been a month here in the mountains and I can safely say, it’s been the greatest time of my life. We, as a family journeyed here, connected to ourselves, each other and all the beauty around us. We became a more loving family and are now ready to spread that loving energy, like mists of powdery snow, sparkling all around.

Was it easy? Hell no. But nothing great ever is.

My husband and I have worked very hard for a lifest‌yle that allows us to work remotely. We both have our own businesses and an amazing support team that allows us to make this great escape. We purchase our Epic ski season passes 6 months in advance and rent a sweet little cabin deep in the woods, thanks to VRBO, where we negotiated a discounted rate for the longer stay. The cabin is about an hour outside of the Breckinridge Ski Mountain, making our stay more affordable and the drive to and from is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

While here, our daughter, Lily Love learned to ski and now loves the sport, weaving fearlessly in and out of trees. She went from crushing the bunny slope to being able to tackle groomed black diamond runs. She amazes us and has blown any expectations out of the water—children have a way of doing that.

Our son, Bear had his first experience skiing and although it took us almost 2 hours to get down the slope, due to his tiny skis falling off the chairlift, lots of picking up and resetting and a long, luxurious hot cocoa break, he did it and must have said “woaahhhh” a dozen times. My husband and I didn’t ski together once, as we took turns with our kids but that was perfectly fine, as it was incredible to witness the profound learning going on and to finally see our family having fun together and simply loving this beautiful life together. It was and will be a gift that never stops giving.

Even though my daughter proclaims her favorite moments were “swooshing” and eating Skittles on the chairlift, my favorite moments were far simpler. My son, who used to sleep in a crib, now loves snuggling up close to his big sister in a big bed and we now all enjoy stargazing under a “blanket of stars.” Lily Love’s favorite toy this whole trip was a giant icicle that grew bigger than her off the side of our cabin.

And more than anything, I was able to understand and appreciate what an amazing father my husband is and to see him become the best version of himself when given the time and space. That, to me is the greatest gift of all—allowing myself and my family the sacred opportunity to be, just be.

To play, to relax, to wander, to push the limits and to do something differently. To do it our way.

Jordan Manfredi

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I’m a beauty hunter, a dreamer, a learner and a doer. I'm also a mama to 2 wild ones (Lily Love + Bear). As a self proclaimed forest fairy + forest school founder, I believe in nature and magic and know that growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone.

Incredible Products Helping Kids Adjust to Pandemic Life

By Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

February 15, 2021

Photo: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

The pandemic has been challenging for everyone. With a sudden stop of everything normal, people young and old have had to adjust to the new normal. One of the most challenging things for parents may have been trying to explain COVID-19 to their children.

It’s a confusing time, and there’s no easy way to tell your kids they can no longer see their friends or family. You’ve had to explain that they have to wear a mask, wash their hands often and sanitize. The new normal really isn’t normal at all. However, to stay safe and healthy, your kids have to adjust to pandemic life.

Once people began to learn more about the virus, companies developed toys, books and other items to help children better understand everything that was going on. Now, there are so many incredible products helping kids adjust to pandemic life.

If you’re still trying to find ways to teach your children about COVID-19 and help them adjust, then take a look at these items.

“COVID-19 Helpers”

Many authors wrote books for children to teach them about the pandemic through a story. Age-appropriate books are a great way to provide information to children about a challenging topic. The book “COVID-19 Helpers” quickly became one of the more popular ones. The story is written by Beth Bacon and illustrated by Kary Lee.

“COVID-19 Helpers” won the grand prize for a contest that invited writers and illustrators to write an eBook. The book had to provide accurate information, and it had to be age-appropriate for kids six to nine years old. Additionally, it had to assure the reader that they would be safe thanks to medical professionals and other workers and that it is okay to feel upset.

The winning book describes what COVID-19 is, how it spreads through populations, and what people are doing to keep everyone safe. Plus, it reminds children that they, too, are part of the fight against the pandemic.

WelloBeez

Another great product to help children get used to pandemic life is WelloBeez. Wearing masks is necessary for mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. It’s a healthy habit, but just like with any other healthy habit, kids aren’t always on board, or they don’t understand why something like wearing a mask is essential for their health.

WelloBeez are plush animals made out of antimicrobial materials that are durable and resist both odors and stains. They maintain their freshness and cleanliness for a while after you wash them. Besides their antimicrobial material, WelloBeez are a great companion for your kids.

One of the types of WelloBeez are Mask Mates. Mask Mates come wearing a mask, and they also provide a child-sized mask for your kid. It makes wearing masks less frightening. Plus, your child will want to match the WelloBeez animal!

“Together: Living Life During COVID-19”

Another excellent book that has helped kids adjust to life during a pandemic is “Together: Living Life During COVID-19.” It was part of the same contest where “COVID-19 Helpers” won. Although this illustrated book didn’t win the prize, it still has been impactful in helping children understand the global outbreak of coronavirus.

The story is from the perspective of a young girl named Olivia. She learns what the coronavirus is and how she can protect others from getting it, like wearing a mask and washing her hands. Olivia also learns why her life seemed to flip upside down overnight.

The book was written by Kevin Poplawski, who is a healthcare provider. He got the inspiration to write this book from the millions of questions asked by his children. It’s a safe space to deal with emotions and helps other children know that everyone is going through the same thing—otherwise known as pandemic life.

My Home Office Set

Almost every business went to remote work once the pandemic hit. People were left at home without office equipment. Maybe you were one of those parents who had to scramble for a desk and a chair! In addition to having to work from home, you’ve had to take care of your children.

Your children were probably wondering why you couldn’t go to work anymore. Through observations, they noticed you taking Zoom calls, wearing a headset, having to work on your laptop and never failed to have a cup of coffee. As you know, kids take after adult actions.

Fisher-Price developed My Home Office set, which includes all of those items! Your child can “work from home” right beside you. This product has allowed children to better understand that you have work to do and can’t always play when you’re home. Through pretend office work, your child can stay busy!

How Have Your Kids Adjusted to Pandemic Life?

You’ve done a great job at helping your children understand what it means to be part of a pandemic. This event will surely make history, and it’s essential to guide your children into healthy and safe practices during this time of their life.

Many other products, like fun face masks and shields and sanitizer dispensers, allow children to build healthy habits that are also enjoyable. Use these products as ways to help your kids further!

Kara Reynolds

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.

Check out the Top 100 Companies Hiring for Remote Jobs Right Now

by Jennifer SwartvagherJanuary 18, 2021

Are you interested in working remotely? FlexJobs released its 8th annual list of the “Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2021” This list is based on an analysis of approximately 57,000 companies and their remote job posting histories in the FlexJobs database between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Computer/IT and healthcare continue to be the most promising career fields for remote-friendly jobs, while the financial industry has also enjoyed sustained growth of remote job opportunities. Customer service and sales also remain strong prospects for remote jobs.

“The coronavirus pandemic has permanently reshaped the workplace and how, when, and where people work,” said Sara Sutton, Founder and CEO of FlexJobs. “Business models have been forever disrupted with the realization that remote work is smart, strategic, and sustainable for companies to embrace, improving not only the bottom line but also providing benefits to the overall workforce.”

“FlexJobs has been compiling our Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Work list since 2014, and although the circumstances for the rapid and massive adoption of its practices are extremely unfortunate, we are excited to see so many more organizations deeply integrating remote work both now and for the future,” Sutton concluded.

The top 10 companies that made this year’s Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs list include:

To view the entire 2021 Top 100 Companies for Remote Jobs list, please visit https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/100-top-companies-with-remote-jobs-2021/.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: XPS on Unsplash

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Looking for a Remote Career? These Are the Top Skills You’ll Need

by Jennifer SwartvagherDecember 14, 2020

More and more jobs have gone remote since the pandemic started. Right now the remote job marketplace is extremely competitive so knowing which soft skills are crucial for success in the top remote career categories will help put job seekers in the best position possible. FlexJobs, the leader in remote jobs, and PAIRIN, a leader in soft skill development, has teamed together to identify the top 10 career categories offering the most remote jobs in 2020 and the skills job seekers need to succeed in these emerging remote careers.

“Remote job seekers face a very competitive job market right now, as remote jobs have become even more desirable in the current pandemic environment, and there are certainly more opportunities in some career categories versus others,” said Sara Sutton, founder and CEO of FlexJobs. “To help job seekers land a coveted remote job, FlexJobs is proud to partner with PAIRIN to not only identify where those jobs are available, but also help candidates understand the specific soft skills that are needed for them to stand out and succeed in those careers,” Sutton concluded.

Dr. Dan Hawthorne, director of I/O psychology and head of research at PAIRIN, conducted the research and analysis to identify the critical skills for each career category. “The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to break down pre-existing barriers to quickly adapt and move their workforces to remote work,” said Dr. Hawthorne. “Now that these organizations have the structure in place to support remote workers, it is expected that many will continue to offer remote working opportunities for the long-term. This, in turn, presents a bright outlook for remote work in the future,” Dr. Hawthorne added.

A “remote job” is defined as a professional-level job that allows the worker to work from home either entirely or part of the time. The ten career categories identified had job listings for the most remote jobs in the FlexJobs database from Mar. 1, 2020 through Nov. 30, 2020. Included under each career category are the five most important soft skills, as identified through PAIRIN’s personalized, science-based research, that professionals need in order to thrive in that respective career.

Computer & IT

Creativity – The desire to think, do, and express in ways that are different from the norm. This includes personal elaborations or variations on known or existing techniques.
Originality – The ability to invent or independently conceive of ideas, methods, or products of the first order (underived), regardless of their usefulness.
Objective-Analytical – The emphasis of logic and fact-based evaluating over feelings, suggesting clarity, thoroughness, and productivity.
Problem Solving – To discover, analyze, and solve a range of unfamiliar problems in both conventional and creative ways.
Critical Thinking – To gather and objectively assess key information as a guide to belief or action. An intellectual process that uses analysis, conceptualization, synthesis, and evaluation.

Medical & Health

Service Orientation – The ability to anticipate, identify, and meet people’s often unspoken needs through assistance, products, or services. The drive to generate customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Supportiveness – The drive to assist, protect, and provide for others in emotional or physical need.
Social Awareness – To relate and respond to the feelings, needs, and concerns of individuals or broader societal groups. (Includes: Empathy, Organizational Awareness, and Service Orientation).
Accountability – To be answerable. To take responsibility for outcomes through appropriate use of resources, personal integrity, and self-monitoring.
Compliance – Global tendencies to maintain self-discipline and conform to another’s plan, rules, will, or direction.

Project Management

Relationship Management – To use awareness of one’s own emotions and those of others to navigate interactions successfully. (Includes: Inspiration, Influence, Enriching Others, Cooperation, Change, and Conflict Management).
Collaboration & Teamwork – To combine efforts and resources with others toward a common goal. To work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams.
Dynamism – Global tendencies to generate results through intentional, resourceful, energetic mindsets and behaviors.
Productivity – To set and meet goals, even in the face of obstacles and competing pressures. To prioritize, plan, and manage work to achieve the intended results.
Stress Tolerance – To endure pressure or uncertainty without becoming negative (e.g. hopeless, bitter, or hostile) toward self or others.

Sales

Influential Leadership – The ability to positively persuade others’ choices by focusing on what is important to them and building consensus.
Conflict Management – The ability to effectively negotiate and resolve disagreements.
Social Awareness – To relate and respond to the feelings, needs, and concerns of individuals or broader societal groups. (Includes: Empathy, Organizational Awareness, and Service Orientation).
Service Orientation – The ability to anticipate, identify, and meet people’s often unspoken needs through assistance, products, or services. The drive to generate customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Assertiveness – Global tendencies to express and interact with boldness, enthusiasm, and confidence.

Accounting & Finance

Social Awareness – To relate and respond to the feelings, needs, and concerns of individuals or broader societal groups. (Includes: Empathy, Organizational Awareness, and Service Orientation).
Compliance – Global tendencies to maintain self-discipline and conform to another’s plan, rules, will, or direction.
Relationship – The drive to draw close and remain loyal to another person or people—to truly connect and enjoyably engage with them.
Conflict Management – The ability to effectively negotiate and resolve disagreements.
Critical Thinking – To gather and objectively assess key information as a guide to belief or action. An intellectual process that uses analysis, conceptualization, synthesis, and evaluation.

Customer Service

Supportiveness – The drive to assist, protect and provide for others in emotional or physical need.
Service Orientation – The ability to anticipate, identify and meet people’s often unspoken needs through assistance, products or services. The drive to generate customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Conflict Management – The ability to effectively negotiate and resolve disagreements.
Stress Tolerance – To endure pressure and uncertainty without becoming negative (e.g. hopeless, bitter or hostile) toward self or others.
Assertiveness – Global tendencies to express and interact with boldness, enthusiasm and confidence.

Marketing

Flamboyance – The drive to impress or excite-to stir others through words or actions.
Influential Leadership – The ability to positively persuade others’ choices by focusing on what is important to them and building consensus.
Assertiveness – Global tendencies to express and interact with boldness, enthusiasm and confidence.
Inspirational Leadership – The ability to uplift, enliven, fill and empower people with a compelling vision.
Relationship – The drive to draw close and remain loyal to another person or people—to truly connect and enjoyably engage with them.

Education & Training

Cooperative-Practical – The moderation of reason and feeling resulting in calm, commonsense thinking – upbeat, attentive and realistic.
Creativity – The desire to think, do, and express in ways that are different from the norm. This includes personal elaborations or variations on known or existing techniques.
Social Awareness – To relate and respond to the feelings, needs and concerns of individuals or broader societal groups. (Includes: Empathy, Organizational Awareness and Service Orientation)
Originality – The ability to invent or independently conceive of ideas, methods, or products of the first order (underived), regardless of their usefulness.
Perspective – The ability to understand broadly, to coordinate knowledge and experience, and to provide clear-sighted and meaningful counsel to others. An aspect of wisdom.

Business Development

Relationship – The drive to draw close and remain loyal to another person or people—to truly connect and enjoyably engage with them.
Cooperative-Practical – The moderation of reason and feeling resulting in calm, commonsense thinking – upbeat, attentive and realistic.
Enriching Others – Perceiving and reacting to others with acceptance and respect while supporting their development toward full potential.
Self Assessment – To engage in self-reflection so as to determine strengths and limitations in one’s values, abilities and resources.
Critical Thinking – To gather and objectively assess key information as a guide to belief or action. An intellectual process that uses analysis, conceptualization, synthesis and evaluation.

Administrative

Service Orientation – The ability to anticipate, identify and meet people’s often unspoken needs through assistance products or services. The drive to generate customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Supportiveness – The drive to assist, protect and provide for others in emotional or physical need.
Flamboyance – The drive to impress or excite-to stir others through words or actions.
Relationship – The drive to draw close and remain loyal to another person or people—to truly connect and enjoyably engage with them.
Stress Tolerance – To endure pressure and uncertainty without becoming negative (e.g. hopeless, bitter or hostile) toward self or others.

For more information you can visit https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/top-categories-soft-skills-remote-jobs/ and https://www.pairin.com/the-ideal-skills-for-the-top-10-remote-jobs-of-2021/.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

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Want to Go to Hawaii for Free? Here’s How

by Karly WoodDecember 2, 2020

Hawaii has been off limits to most of the world during the pandemic, but a new program is changing all of that.

The 50th state in the U.S. just launched a new “travel” program and it’s all about remote work from the Hawaiian Islands. “Movers & Shakas” is a state/private-supported program that is offering 50 free roundtrip flights to Oahu to pre-employed people. Keep reading to get all the deets!

photo: Tatonomusic via Unsplash

Recipients must stay and work on the island for at least one month and in exchange they must give a few hours a week to a nonprofit organization. The program is also offering discounted rates at hotels and restaurants to make the program even more enticing.

Jason Higa, CEO of FCH Enterprises says “Working from Hawaii can provide a much needed respite from the isolation and burnout caused by remote work. With the lowest rate per capita of COVID infections in the country, and an abundance of social distancing activities and dining experiences, Hawaii is ideal for those seeking a safe place to work and play.”

Interested people need to apply by Dec. 15 at the Movers & Shakas website.

––Karly Wood

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Take an Edu-Cation! California Hotels Offering Remote Learning Getaways

by Kerry CushmanNovember 22, 2020

The school year and travel plans certainly took a left turn in 2020. On the bright side, hotels (and parents) are getting creative on how to safely mix in a little vacation time with the newfound freedom that comes with working from home and remote school. Take virtual learning to paradise with an education-vacation (aka: an edu-cation!) at one of these California hotels offering remote work and school promotions that will be a welcome refresh from your homeschooling routine. Read on for the details!

Terranea

Relax into resort life while you leave the preschool activity planning to Terranea. Along with their stunning panoramic ocean views, Terranea is offering locals a 25% discount and fun activities for kids at their picturesque Rancho Palos Verdes resort. While the Kids' Club is temporarily closed, Terranea has created contactless DIY activity kits for guests including Stargazing Kits, Coastal Kite Flying, Kids' Club Activity Boxes and S'mores Kits. When the work and school day is done, enjoy a dinner and a movie night with in-room dining and complimentary movies. Book one of Terranea's spacious Villas and Casitas for living room, full kitchen and up to three bedrooms.

Details: Use promotion code LALOVE for 25% off their best available rate through December 30, 2020.

Online: terranea.com

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

After a multi-million dollar luxury renovation, parents and students will love relaxing poolside (and bayside!) at the gorgeous new San Diego Mission Bay Resort. The hotel's Recess at the Pool package includes complimentary WiFi for Zoom classes, a $25 daily food and beverage credit, two complimentary bike rentals to explore the Mission Bay waterfront and a complimentary S'mores Kit for the perfect after-school treat.

Details: Rates begin at $215 per night, use promotion code RECESS.

Online: missionbayresort.com

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Balancing daily work and life tasks while overseeing remote schooling can be a challenge for even the most organized parent. La Jolla's The Lodge at Torrey Pines is now offering a Learn at the Lodge: Arts & Crafts Kids package that will take stress off parents and caregivers while the kids have a blast. The customizable child care program allows parents to schedule a qualified childcare professional to be an Activity Guide, helping children with remote learning, completing schoolwork or organizing outdoor games and art projects. Booked in 4 or 8 hour blocks, the interactive program includes lunch, snacks, a private study space and activities such as painting, seasonal decorating and guided botanical walks.

Details: Pricing for the first child 4-hour program is $120 and 8-hour program is $240. Additional children are $30 with a maximum of 5 children per group. Get the full details here.

Online: lodgetorreypines.com

The Portofino Hotel & Marina

Add some seaside marina views to your daily grind with a stay at The Portofino Hotel & Marina in Redondo Beach, California. The resort's new Seaside Students program offers unique activities and incentives for your little learners. Start the school day with kids' to-go breakfasts from the hotel's onsite restaurant, BALEENkitchen, and then get to work utilizing the in-room desks.

Recess for Seaside Students includes two water activities at the Dockside Adventure center or grab complimentary bikes for a self-guided field trip that includes kids' snack packs and a list of educational spots. The Portofino Hotel is giving students an extra incentive to ace their school work. When students earn a perfect score on three or more tests, they can present their results to the front desk for a sweet treat!

Details: The Seaside Students package starts at $359 and is valid through December 30, 2020. Use code STUDENT when booking.

Online: hotelportofino.com

Paradise Point

Is there anything better than sand between your toes in-between classes? Take virtual learning to paradise while you remote school and work from San Diego's island resort, Paradise Point. With their Work from Paradise promotion, guests receive up to 20% off room rates, complimentary resort fee and parking plus a $15 daily resort credit.

School time will feel like island time while you take in those gorgeous bay views, resort-style pools and waterfront dining. Opt for a Bungalow Room with enough space for the whole family to get their work done before it's time to play on the bay.

Details: Promotion details can be found here.

Online: paradisepoint.com

Monarch Beach Resort

Take remote learning to the beach with an education-vacation at Dana Point's Monarch Beach Resort. The AAA Five-Diamond luxury resort is offering an 'Edu-Cations' package which includes a dedicated study room with high-speed internet, stand-up desk, seating area, printer/scanner, restroom and private terrace.

The program also offers your little learners one hour of online on-demand K-12 homework help from Tutor.com, a welcome tech gift and a $100 daily resort credit. When the school day ends, the fun begins with complimentary activities like outdoor family fitness classes, sparkling pools and private beach club access.

Online: monarchbeachresort.com

Carneros Resort & Spa

Get out of the house and into Wine Country with a Resort Learning package at Carneros Resort & Spa in Napa, California. With 28 acres of rolling vineyards, remote work and school life here comes with a picturesque backdrop and luxurious details. Families will love free of charge activities such as Kids P.E. with exercise and games, Mommy Meditation and Recess at Otto’s Pool, a zero-edge wading pool with toys and floaties for little swimmers.

Need to get some work done while the kids play? Opt for their Work from Wine Country package where complimentary add-ons to the resort’s Harvest Cottage include a work-friendly office space with a desk, monitor, keyboard and office supplies.

Details: Find the details of their Resort Learning package here.

Online: carnerosresort.com

––Kerry Cushman

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Terranea

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Portofino Hotel & Marina

Paradise Point

Monarch Beach Resort

Carneros Resort & Spa

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