I hear some version of, "I don't know how you do it!" at least 3 times each week. Whether it's from a young, single colleague at work, a full-time working mom in my industry or part-time working mom at the morning drop off, the question comes in various shapes and sizes:

Being a good parent is hard. Being a control freak and trying to be a good parent is damn-near impossible.

Let me explain.

10. When parking your car, the pre-pubescent valet drives away smirking as he noticed both the Wall Street Journal and your son's stuffed bunny riding shotgun.

9. You are constantly picking grass from the previous night's soccer game out of your four-inch heels.

8. You have a Sibyl-like reaction when booking an out-of-town business trip as you experience utter elation at the prospect of a few kid-free days and utter despair over the very same thought.

Couldn't say it any better...

Photo Source: Flourish N Thrive Counseling http://bit.ly/R8uOsm

I love my children, but nothing sets the reset button for me like a business trip.

Let me explain.

Everyone has a price

A recent study done by the American Institute of CPAs found that 61% of parents pay their kids an allowance and that 54% expect their kids to earn the money.  Parents are trying to fulfill a promise: 

I promise to teach you how to make good choices about money and work ethic.

Have you ever thought what can I do to really excite my kids about a “Family” Vacation?  While younger ones can be enticed with just about anything sometimes, those a little older will only think of family vacations as a downer.  Their thoughts of course are how uncool it is to be on vacation with their parents! Let’s chat about how to refresh the “family vacation”!

My first trip back as a road warrior since maternity leave was slightly foggy and a little more than chaotic. I had high hopes that I would get on a plane, read a book and relax without hearing “Mommy!” or the crying of my newborn. But as I packed for my trip, I realized that I didn’t want to take the precious iPad away from my husband or son, for their own sanity sake! I didn’t want to buy a book to take with me, because that is just more to carry. So when I left that house around 5:45 am on Tuesday, I left the iPad lying beside my husband in bed so my son could easily find it.

It's so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Laundry, dishes, homework. Meetings, presentations, business trips. Bath, books, bed. Lather, rinse, repeat. We can get so caught up in our to-do list, that we forget what life is really about. Too often, we sacrifice what matters most for what matters least.

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