I grew up with nine younger siblings and was very involved in their lives. One even move in with my husband and me when she was 17 (you better believe I read a lot of books on teenagers!). I spent over a decade as a camp counselor and youth leader before finally having children in my 30s. Then we had all three within three years of each other. Add to that, moving states when the youngest was 5 month and I was the sole income. Life is definitely a challenge!

One thing I can say with complete confidence: we are all the same and yet so VERY different. Each child brings their own unique treasures. Empathy and giggles, night terrors and seizures, determination and tears. As parents, we strive to give them the best and help them succeed, sometimes at the risk of losing ourselves. 

Being a “good parent” doesn’t mean giving up your dreams, your career, or your sense of self. It’s also not about being selfish. Selfishness doesn’t look good on ANYONE, parent, non-parent, or child alike. Advocating, supporting, encouraging, teaching, and loving others, doesn’t mean giving up ourselves, it means growing into the best version of ourselves we can be.

Besides kids and work, I’m an international speaker, user group leader, and conference organizer. Let me make one thing perfectly clear, NO ONE “does it all”. We all have the same 168 hours in a week, we just choose to use them differently. You can be anything you want to be, and only you can decide what that is. No matter what: the more you put in, the more you get out. 

I may not be able to solve all the problems and save the world, but as we build up each generation and the next, I believe this will have a lasting effect on our families, our communities, and the world. With so many more people working from home without the support they may have previously relied upon, the need for empowering parents is at an all-time high.

I am committed to helping software developers to be successful in both their careers and their parenting by giving them the tools and mindset they need to solve their challenges.