Here's a simple litmus test to see if the junk you're dealing with is, in fact, Adultitis: "When I'm with my family I'm thinking about work, and when I'm at work I'm thinking about my family." Is this you? …
Family Has Nerve to Eat Banana Splits – For Dinner!
I met the coolest lady the other day. Jason had just finished speaking to a group of educators and this woman and her 17-year-old daughter came to our table for a visit. They both wore genuinely contagious smiles and I knew right away that I was going to enjoy this conversation. In a crowd of stressed-out professionals, they had a MUCH different vibe. They came to share stories -- things they have done over the years to live this lifestyle that Jason had just spent an hour talking about. One of the stories warmed my heart instantly. …
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Breakfast Routine Upended by China, Heart-Shaped Pancakes
Mornings in most households are a little like attending a NASCAR event. It's intense. Lots of noise. You've got people moving at varying speeds. And in the end, you're hoping everyone gets across the finish line (out the door) without a major catastrophe. Ever wonder what your day would be like for yourself and your kids if the morning was more like a symphony? …
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7 Ways to Defeat Adultitis Amidst Chronic Pain
One of our most frequently asked questions is this: "Living an Adultitis-free life is great in theory, but what about people who live with pain? How are you to stay young when health issues prevent you from enjoying life and having normal fun?" …
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12 Little Ways to Wear Fun at Work
During a recent trip to Disney World, Jason and I noticed something very interesting. Almost every single adult we saw was wearing a fun shirt of some kind. Superhero logos, cartoon characters, witty phrases, sports paraphernalia and of course, Disney shirts (those darn gift shops get ya every time). You name it, fun shirts were everywhere. It was awesome! It does make sense, come to think of it. …
Having “The Talk” With My Daughter
It was a huge moment. One that I hadn't expected would happen this early, quite honestly. And yet the opportunity arose and I knew I had to seize it. Before I realized it, I was having "THE TALK" with my daughter. Breathe deep, I told myself. This is a moment I had envisioned so often, but wasn't quite sure how I would handle it all. …
Sticky Cup Saturday
The McDonald's cup was in place. And although Lucy was completely oblivious to the shananigans we were enjoying, she certainly enjoyed our anticipation and laughter. "I haven't heard you laugh like that in a long time." That's what Jason said to me at the tail end of our Sticky Cup ride. …
Are You a Monet Family?
Are you a "Monet Family?" From afar, you look picture perfect -- everything in its place. But look closer and it's all a royal, unfocused, blobby mess -- chaos most days. …
Ruts Suck: Using Jars of Joy to Add More Adventure
I always find the start of a new year to be very freeing. I love letting go of old habits and routines that resemble moldy bread and replacing them with fresh ones. Have you taken full advantage of the opportunity to start new in 2011? Or, to steal a line from Jason, "Are you going through the motions in a vanilla-flavored rut-filled life?" …
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Mother Abandons Cell Phone In Lonely Office
A small rebellion popped up in my inbox the other day and made me smile because of the wisdom in its simplicity. I had left a voicemail for a fellow speaker friend of ours, Michele Payn-Knoper, and a while later received this short email back from her... …
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