One Secret to a Working Mom Success: Make Family Events More Enjoyable With Friends

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Better Together: Why Inviting Another Family Makes Activities More Fun #FamilyFun Sometimes family activities can feel like another item on the to-do list. However, doing those activities with another family makes them more fun! Whether it’s a trip to an amusement park , a visit to the local pool , or trip to a pumpkin patch , including another family can multiply the fun in amazing ways. One of my favorite moms to collaborate with is my friend, Ayana Ledford who's pictured above with her daughter Sahar. We have done all of the things listed as seemingly random examples above and here is how including her and her daughter (and sometimes her son too) has made the events more fun. On the date above, Ayana almost left the venue because parking was a nightmare. That said, she hung in there and we would up having a great time!
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A Working Mom Behind Motown, the Musical

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What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

~Langston Hughes

 The second part of our evening on New Year's Eve, after the kids were safely with Andre's mother, involved seeing Motown, the musical" at Heinz Hall. 


It was AWESOME!!!
We attended the show because we enjoy musicals, Motown music, and a night out without the kids. Motown, the musical is the story about how Berry Gordy made his dream a reality. So few people get to do that. So, it was inspiring to see his story portrayed on the grand stage.

My sister at Heinz Hall

I was also really excited to see my friend's son, Reed Shannon, perform in the show. Reed is fourteen years old and truly talented. He played Michael Jackson and it was like he was channeling him! Granted, I am slightly biased because I know his parents. However, the boy can sing and dance as well as the King of Pop eve did. If you closed your eyes it was as if little Michael Jackson was on stage. I am not exaggerating in the least.

The kids in Motown, the musical

The night before the show I was able to catch up with Reed's mother who is now, "A Motown Mom". We discussed our careers, childrearing, and choices. It was inspiring to hear how she was able to foster his passions through educational enrichment.  She and her husband saw a spark in him as a child and enrolled him in singing, dancing and acting classes. When he had the chance to audition for the show, they made sure he got his chance. 

They recognized his gift and helped him develop it instead of trying to squelch it and encourage him to foster something "more practical". That said, they are committed to traditional education as well and Reed is also a good student. He is also one of the nicest kids you'll ever meet.

Seeing Reed on stage, and knowing the history of how his dream came true, made the experience even sweeter for me. It was truly inspiring. I hope that my husband and I are as sensitive to my children's interests and passions as Reed's parents. Because of the faith and works of his parents, Reed is living his dream. He never has to wonder about what happens to a dream deferred because he is living his dream. And that has made all of the difference.

For more information about Motown, The Musical (including upcoming shows), click here.  



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