My Daughter Just Turned 13 and I'm Not Crying. (Okay, Maybe a Little.)

My daughter is a teenager. I can't believe I just wrote those words. I keep repeating it over and over because I’m not sure I fully believe it yet. Cliche alert- It feels like just yesterday I was wondering what my tiny girls would be like when they were teens, and now suddenly, I know.

Parents say it all the time, and when you’re in the thick of the early years you almost don’t believe it, but childhood really does go by in a blink. The days can feel unbearably long, but the years are incredibly short. I'm happy and I'm also a bit sad.

Looking back, it has been a wild ride. There are the magical moments, the chaotic ones, the proud moments, and the ones where you wonder if you’re doing any of it right. I questioned myself quite a bit. Parenthood is messy and beautiful all at the same time, and through it all, it has been the greatest blessing of my life.

I am grateful every single day for my girls.

Watching them grow, develop their personalities, form opinions (even when I don't agree with them), discover their interests (once again, even if I'm not so excited about that particular interest:), and become the people they are meant to be is something that keeps me very grounded. There is nothing quite like the privilege of helping guide another human being through life.

Becoming a parent didn't just change my personal life, it changed how I show up in my professional world too. Being a parent has taught me lessons that I use every day in my work and leadership.

Parenting teaches you to really listen. Kids are incredibly perceptive, and they know when someone is truly paying attention versus just waiting to speak. The same is even more true in business. No matter whom I’m working with (clients, networking partners, community and fundraising supporters) , listening carefully is often where the best solutions begin.

Parenting teaches fairness. Children have an innate sense of what’s fair and what isn’t, and will call you out immediately if something doesn’t seem right! That constant reminder has reinforced my belief that I must always treat people with honesty and that fairness matters in every relationship, at home and in business.

Parenting reminds you to lead by example. This is essential because kids watch everything we do. They see how we treat people, respond to challenges, demonstrate unhappiness, and how we show up when things are hard. The same principle applies professionally. Leadership isn’t just about what you say, it’s about what you demonstrate every day through your actions. I think of this every single day in and out of my office.

Parenting reinforces the importance of kindness. In a world that can sometimes feel chaotic, kindness still matters more than we often realize. A little patience, even when your time is rushed, and understanding or encouragement, can make an enormous difference whether you’re raising children or building relationships in business.

Turning 13 feels like a big transition. (It's what they refer to as a "big birthday!") It’s the start of a new chapter for my daughter and for me as a parent. I know the next few years will bring new adventures and more than a few challenges, but if the past thirteen years have taught me anything, it’s that every phase passes quickly. I'm holding it all very close.

To all the parents out there who are somewhere along this ride, whether your kids are 2, 10, 12 or 20, you know exactly what I mean when I say it goes fast. I wish I could slow it down just a little bit.