I travel a lot so Mapquest has become a sort of virtual best friend. I wont go anywhere without checking in so I can map the neighborhood and plot my little people strategy. When you have kids in this business you spend quite a bit of time plotting and planning your day around their schedules. I guess you could say I consult with my digital buddy all the time looking for eateries, parks and places where I can obtain "quality snack-age" of de minimus to no nutritional value in colorful packaging whose goal is eliciting wide-eyed stares and outstretched hands from my little ones. The moment I say "let's go" and grab my red and black REMAX windbreaker they run to get their shoes, always expecting to go to the park after one of my real estate outings. I try not to disappoint them for they are mommy's little helpers. No matter how much I may be in a rush to respond to a call, I always pause long enough for snacks because munching mouths rarely whine, ask to go home or repeatedly ask, "Are we there yet?"

Sometimes my snacks are very healthy, but other times it's all about the pleasure of the taste. Our "good to bad snack-age habits" routine has resulted in my 6 year old becoming adept at "Kiddie Quid Pro Quo." He knows what he wants and makes requests and negotiates on a daily basis. As a Realtor Mom with very self directed, rambuctious bright children, it's not only about estimating how long I can keep two boys strapped into their seat belts before they start to flip out, it about manipulating their little minds into thinking everything real estate is a grand adventure to be explored and enjoyed. Noah has picked up on the fact that if he does something for me (e.g. entertain Stephen while I work) I'll do something fun for them (e.g. the zoo, the park, another Open House excursion where he gets to play Bob the Builder Realtor Man of Action).

I'm glad there is an age difference between them. From an adult perspective, working long hours in real estate with children periodically tagging along means that it's about getting from point A to point B to handle your business without going insane. Being able to reason with the 6 year old who is adept at distracting the 2 year old works for me. From my children's perspective, it's about being on the road again hanging out with mama on their way to that next great surprise play date or scenic overlook. To them it is the ultimate business of fun-- the adventure of exploring life, eating at new restaurants, meeting other kids and playing with their toys.

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