Congratulations Shannon!  He is the most goregeous boy in the world!

My recommendations:

1) Love, hug, kiss and encourage generously!  Be strict from the start.  Spank naughty children.  Teach kids early to do chores and make a contribution to the home.

2) Take out a calendar at the beginning of the month and plan something extra fun to do each day.  Schedule a "fun appointment" with your little love.  Add the responsibilities too.   When your little angel is bigger plan the calendar together.  The kids know what they have to look forward to and they know what they are supposed to do. 

3) As a mommy and Realtor you are like a pitcher of pink lemonade at a party full of thirsty guests.  If all you do it pour tasty delicious pink lemonade into everyone's glass you will soon be empty.  You've got to fill up your pitcher every day so that you have plenty to give away.  Make an appointment with yourself everyday to fill up your pitcher.  Schedule a massage, nail appointment, hair blow out, a lunch or fun date with your husband, an appointment with your yoga instructor or a shopping appointment.  And stick to it.  Do something fun everyday so you feel giddy and happy and beautiful.

I have 3 kids by marriage (15, 13, 10).  The oldest is entirely unmanageable.  The younger 2 are angels from heaven.  The 2 younger kids have straight A's, are great conversationalists and wonderful company.  They get up and take showers, make their beds, clean their room, do their own laundry, pick up their own dishes, volunteer for anything that needs to be done, wash dishes without being asked and spontaneously straighten things up or start dusting without being asked.   I miss them when they are gone.  I love their company!

Just about every minute spent with the 2 angels is FUN!  I don't have to manage them, correct them or tell them what to do.  We get to enjoy eachother's company, talk about things and do fun stuff.  When I come home the house is pretty tidy and my husband has dinner ready.  All that I need to do is take a shower and have fun with my family.

The oldest hard to manage kid is nearly always pure torture.  Our life is correction and management and one giant power struggle.  Fun is not a major part of our relationship.  His mom doesn't believe in spanking children.  His mom believes kids should be allowed to be their own person.  He has no structure in his life.  He can't be trusted to remember to take a shower, brush his teeth or put on deoderant without being told to do it.  I'm relieved when he leaves.

When I ask the 2 angels why they are so good they tell me that they are good because their mom spanked them when they were bad when they were little.  They tell me they know exactly what they are supposed to do and they know if they don't do what they are supposed to do they will get spanked.

Good luck!  You would not be the success in real estate that you are if you weren't an expert at managing your time, obligations and your relationships.  You're going to be the GREATEST MOM IN THE WORLD!

With love, respect and admiration,
Maya