How being a Mom has helped me to be a better Wedding Planner

This morning started off as a usual morning in our household, getting up, and going downstairs to put the coffee on and make breakfast-then it started...
My two little darlings (ages 2 and 4) started to tug of war over a toy (not really an unusual occurrence-considering they have a gaz-illion toys, but always seem to want to play with the exact same toy at the exact same time).
So I settled it through my "Mom negotiation skills-101". Then it got me to thinking..
These are the same set of skills that I have learned by becoming a mother, that has made me become a better planner-because I am forced to use them every single day.

• Scheduling: Yes I tend to "rule the roost" when it comes to our daily lives, making sure lunch is made, bags are packed, dance classes and Dr.'s appointments are attended-it all comes down to time management-and being a really good juggler ;)
• Negotiating and Compromise: Let me tell you, it's not easy with an independent 4 year old who has made up her mind, but when it comes to what she is wearing to having dessert first-I always have a card or two in my back pocket ;)
• Creative thinking: This one keeps me on my toes a lot-from being able to answer "life" questions to what to do to keep them busy on a rainy day-I am forever re-inventing the wheel on creativeness!
• Problem Solving:This is a toughy. Much like dealing with Weddings, you have to be careful when feelings are involved and come up with a win-win resolution as much as possible.
• Keeping my Cool: Emergencies happen when you least expect them too. Expecting the unexpected especially at 3AM when your child wakes up with a high fever and it involves an emergency trip to the hospital, or dealing with food allergies that require the use of an epi-pen. It could even be something like a an unwarranted temper tantrum down the grocery aisles. It has taught me to really dig deep and find my patience, really put things into perspective, and serves as a constant reminder that things don't always go as planned.
• Having a back up: Yes, just carrying an extra pair of clothes, or blankets has gone a long way. You never know when you are going to need them-this is one of the reasons I carry a fully stocked emergency kit at every wedding I attend. 
• Physically: It keeps me fit chasing after 2 of them all day long, I find I have more energy now than I did at 22! 
• Always looking out for dangers: Not that I am the over protective Mom, but it suddenly seems when you have kids, there is danger lurking around every corner! Whether it's an uncovered wall outlet, the corners of tables, or a wet floor-there are alway safety considerations. this helps me to stay alert and always look ahead for anything that might be unsafe or dangerous.
• Being happy: I love being a Mom, and I also love planning and designing, when I am doing what I love to do-it just naturally makes me better at being both. 

Now there are many planners out there that don't have kids-and they are terrific planners-I am just relaying this as my own experience and how my own role through Motherhood has helped me to better develop the skills necessary to be a good planner.
(Many people develop skills many different ways-mine just happens to be this way).

As always, I will continue to develop both personally and professionally-it just makes it all that much better to know how my little ones have helped me :)

Have a great day!