t's no secret that on those days when we are unsure of ourselves, many of us turn to other women to make a comparison. We're probably all guilty of making comparisons between ourselves and others. Spot a new mom who is thin and you might think, "Why can't I lose my baby weight like she did?" Or you might glance at your best friend's new designer jeans and wonder if your own pair looks outdated. You might even compare yourself to famous celebrities. It's hard not to feel inferior after seeing the latest Catherine Zeta-Jones film.
Most of us consider ourselves to be confident, fun go-getters. So why can't we stop comparing ourselves to friends, co-workers, movie stars and even total strangers?
"The desire to compare ourselves to others stems from a need for reassurance. We want to be acceptable," says Carolyn DeRoo, author of What's Right With Me: Positive Ways to Celebrate Your Strengths, Build Self-esteem, & Reach Your Potential
(New Harbinger Publications). "The problem is, instead of feeling affirmed, we often end up feeling like we're lacking in some way."
While it's probably unrealistic to stop drawing comparisons altogether, there are ways to do it less often, and even put a positive spin on our observations. Here, our experts offer four steps to subduing your inner critic -- and maybe even changing her tune.
aybe you're a pack rat and have a hard time throwing things out. Maybe you're an organization buff who loves finding a place for everything. Or maybe you are just ecologically minded and feel guilty filling landfills with your household possessions. Whatever the case, repurposing old items can be the answer and is becoming increasingly popular for design, storage and organization reasons. Plus, it saves money to boot. "Just about anything in your home can be reused with a little paint or by looking at it a different way," says Kathy Peterson, designer, organization expert and author of 
.
: I returned from maternity leave to learn that a co-worker who has been trying to get pregnant still hasn't. How do I handle my joy and her sadness?
ere's one way to get your kids to eat vegetables: Make it fun by serving meals on whacky and colorful lunch plates. They'll barely notice the green beans they're consuming because they'll be dazzled by the zany characters underneath. Designed by Jackie Shapiro, these plates are plastic -- or in mom language, unbreakable -- and dishwasher safe.
here are some things you're allowed to slack off on, like ordering take-out once in a while instead of cooking a healthy meal. But you would never slack off, of course, when it comes to the safety of your family. As you know, a smoke alarm on each floor of your house is a must-have. But it's difficult to keep track of which ones have fresh batteries. Luckily, DuPont has invented a self-charging smoke alarm that connects directly into ceiling mounted light sockets.
: First, make sure you have a solid relationship with your child's caregiver. I can't stress that enough. That foundation will help you deal with many issues effectively.
e love Fleurville because it always stands for fashion, function and quality! Their innovative diaper bag, the Sling Tote, can be carried three ways: over the shoulder as a tote, or as a messenger bag, or attached to your stroller -- which is especially handy for strollers like the Bugaboo, which have one long pushing rod in the back instead of two handles.
: What's the best way to prevent and treat cradle cap?
: Cradle cap is another name for seborrheic dermatitis, which occurs during infancy. While the condition is usually easy to treat, there's no real way to prevent it.
The creators of Little Miss Matched children's socks are counting on the fact that most kids lose socks...one at a time. With this in mind, they have created sock sets in funky bright-colored designs that can be mixed and matched when one is lost. No two socks are ever alike and kids love it! And isn't it nice to know someone out there is helping us stay organized? To mix and match your own sock combinations, visit: littlemissmatched.com
OK, your friends may tease you for buying a bulb storage system, but you'll have the last laugh when you have perfectly secure and organized light bulbs while theirs break inside the flimsy cardboard containers. This foam container stores up to 11 light bulbs. For more information visit: brookstone.com.
Boarding a plane with kids is -- to say the least -- a challenge. And while you probably can't keep your toddler from screaming for more pretzels, there's at least one way to make traveling through the airport worlds easier. This fantastic product, the Ride-On Carry-On, was invented by a flight-attendant mom. It's simply a small seat that attaches to most carry-on luggage. Leave the bulky stroller at home and wheel your child through the airport -- it's fun for both of you!
Breathe a sigh of relief that you no longer have to mutter thank you to the kind strangers on the street who retrieve your baby's chucked bottles. The Baby Bottle Holder keeps a bottle or sippy cup securely strapped to a stroller, high chair, carrier, cart, and so on.
hether you're a glass-half-full or half-empty type, chances are you get caught in a cycle of negative thoughts from time to time. But once you're mired in misery, how do you restore your inner Pollyanna? "It's all about perspective," says Judith S. Beck, PhD, director of The Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research in suburban Philadelphia and author of Cognitive Therapy for Challenging Problems: What to Do When the Basics Don't Work (Guilford Press). Here are her tips on how to get your thinking back on track and regain a sunnier outlook.
he argument started when you mentioned that he didn't take out the trash -- again. He made a snappy retort, you both started raising your voices, and several unkind words later, that simple comment about a once a week chore blew up into a full scale War of the Roses. After dusting yourself off, you begin to wonder: Can you and your guy ever get through a week without squabbling?
