My 12-year old son loves any type of challenge, whether it’s the mannequin challenge, or the ice bucket challenge, or the try not to laugh challenge, he simply loves to do them. When it comes to challenges, he has a fire in his belly to be the best at whatever it is he is doing.  So this summer I decided to conduct a reading challenge with him. The idea is for both of us to read the same book(s) and see who finishes it first. This friendly reading challenge is exactly the motivation my reluctant reader needs to pick up a book during his summer break. Plus, it’s a surefire…

With a husband, two rambunctious boys ages 6 and 12, and zero daughters, life at my home ain’t pretty or dainty. Smelly shoes, disorder, chaos, and household wreckages abound on a daily basis. And here I am, in my 40s, with my inner warrior fiercer than ever, and always ready to put everything and everyone in order. As much as I like to pretend I have all the answers (and boy do they have a lot of questions), I’ve come to realize that my boys are teaching me a lot more than I’m probably teaching them. Here are 4 popular sayings that have taken a new twist in my home.…

I vividly remember one early morning 8 years ago like it was yesterday.  The rising sun had just peaked its way through a crack in the curtains right into my eyes, my husband gently turned over and our eyes met. I smiled at him and fell back asleep. About 15 minutes later, the door to our bedroom predictably opened and our three-year old son climbed into our bed. I felt my son’s little hand stroking my face and my hair. I pretended to be sleeping while peaking at him through squinted eyes. He kneeled there, watching me and waited, my heart smiled. He got closer, I could hear him breathing,…

Historians have their own observations about life BC and life AC, and I have my own version as a strategic planner in advertising. Ad life BC and AC – that’s before children and after children, in case you’re wondering. Ahhh…Ad life BC…total freedom at my disposal, working late into the wee hours on a new business pitch or client deadline, going out after work with childless co-workers for drinks, and living it up. Fast-forward to Ad life AC, and most of my time is spent like a mouse running endlessly on a wheel, balancing multiple projects and needs. No small feat for sure, but one that I have taken on…