1. One woman said she's restructured so that everything she does happens within a four-mile radius of home, including work and childcare. She's earning less right now than she used to, but it's worth it to her. She also reminds herself every morning that even if the day doesn't start out great, that doesn't mean it will end that way. The weather improves. She makes a new connection. She and her child take time together.

2. Many Choice Moms start off in the corporate world, giving us financial security, but find that becoming an entrepreneur might be more valuable. I talked with one woman about creating multiple revenue streams in her field to help make it work. (That's what I do; it takes time to get footing, and I encouraged her to think about trying different revenue-generating options.) Another Choice Mom in attendance recommended this website to help get finances in order, including resources for educating kids about money.

3. We talked about creative living options. Can you share your house with a college woman? Offers childcare options, another adult in the home (make sure they know you are SHARING space, not simply renting a room), a good playmate for your child if you pick right. My housemates currently include a substitute teacher and a music therapist.

4. One Choice Mom of two admits that she yells too much (it happens to us all, especially under stress and fatigue). She too is now working part-time. Often she goes into her children's rooms after they are asleep to recharge, remind herself of the glory of motherhood. She finds herself taking more breaks to stop and enjoy the moments.

5. A woman who found IVF distressing -- thinking it wasn't the way she'd envisioned building a family -- eventually learned that giving up the notion of "how things are supposed to be" was what enabled her to share her life with her son. She says she's learned that it has been wonderful to change her definition of family to include a wider network of connection, for herself and her child.

After the event, some of the women and I had a leisurely dinner and stroll on 6th Street in Austin. The next day, my daughter and I basked in the first sun of spring for us, at the local Zilker Park kite festival. Since then, I've been collecting other ideas for simplifying life. Starting with taking the time to read this woman's blog, Slow Family.

Mikki