Connect What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

Seeing my kids grow and truly enjoy something that they have chosen to put their time and commitment into. As a kid I wasn't given options to try different things to find what I truly loved. I told myself that I'd sign my kids up for everything and anything I saw they had an interest in. And if they told me "no thanks" on next season we scratched that sport off the list. Now at 9 and 7, I have 2 boys that are in love with completely different activities. And I love watching them do it.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Its learning everyday and changing my approach all the time. My boys are very opposite and need different things from me. While it's easy to say once you have one than you can parent another. Each son is such an individual and needs to be treated as such. I've learned that patience and listening are just as important as teaching them how to be a strong, independent, but also soft, empathetic boys in a different society than I grew up in.

What would you do with $20,000?

I'd use it to build an indoor area to give my kids the space they need to truly enjoy their activities all year around in NH. My oldest would want an indoor shooting area for hockey and lacrosse. My younger son wants an area with high ceilings to have rings and a high bar for gymnastics. And long wall length mirrors to practice his dance routines. Or take them to Disney World since we haven't been yet.