AOP: You have daughters in two very different stages of life. What has motherhood taught you through each season?
Shana: Having two kids at different stages has definitely been tough; it’s especially tough on the little one. We continue to help her understand that she doesn’t get the same things that her older sister gets. Embracing their differences, I have found, has been key to parenting kids of different ages and types. I’ve learned to go with the flow a little more because each stage brings new challenges.
AOP: What has been the most rewarding part of watching Sydney grow into a young woman as she prepares for senior year?
Shana: Making great decisions for herself as she matures has been so rewarding. She asks great questions to think through all options and puts her whole heart into what she wants. It makes me so excited for her future and to see what she achieves.
AOP: How do you balance practices, games, school activities, and family time?
Shana: The balancing act is so tough for most parents. We do not overcommit. When Sydney wasn’t driving, each kid could commit to one sport per season; now that she drives herself, Nola has a limit of two per season. Family time is always Friday night; we protect it. We won’t sign up for a sport if the games are on Friday, or if we do sign up for something, then it is with the understanding that we miss the Friday practice.
AOP: You stay active in the PTOs at your daughters’ schools. What inspired you to get involved and what do you enjoy?
Shana: I’ve been active in my kids’ PTO for 11 years. My mom was active and encouraged me to get involved early on with the school. It has been so rewarding to see my work directly impacting and improving the school, teachers, and kids. We’ve been able to fundraise to pay for projects around the school, get donations to feed the teachers lunch, and provide supplies for teachers and students. It is a unique experience to be supportive of my kids through this avenue of the school and parenting. One I am very grateful to be able to do.
AOP: What are some of the unique challenges and blessings that come with balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood?
Shana: Owning your business is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. The challenge of “always being on” is really hard to navigate. My husband always has to take the phone call or will have to go in on days off, or respond to emails at all times of the day. It’s impossible to not bring the work home with you when you own your own business. It also makes our family time super precious, and we protect it as much as we can. It does give me the flexibility to be as involved as I am with my children, so I am very appreciative of that.
AOP: How do you make sure your family stays connected and prioritizes quality time together?
Shana: We put the important things on a family calendar, and everyone makes every effort to be there. Then we squeeze everything else into the cracks. When there is a free night, I take my oldest to dinner. If there is a free afternoon, my husband goes to lunch with the youngest. Our schedules are so crazy that we do little precious things as much as we can.
AOP: Your family loves being outdoors and playing games. What family traditions or activities that everyone looks forward to?
Shana: Everyone looks forward to our family vacations! We unplug, unwind, play games, eat great food, and enjoy each other’s company. It is a great reset for us. Whether it’s Disney/Universal, the beach, a trip to the mountains, or everyone’s favorite, Maine.
AOP: What advice would you give to moms who are currently navigating multiple ages and stages of parenting at the same time?
Shana: My husband and I set aside a couple of hours every other Friday night for a date night. We reconnect with each other, have dinner, and have a family meeting. We bring notes of things that need to be discussed, and then we get on the same page for the next week. When we are connected and work as a team, it flows downstream with the family.
Also, parenting each kid differently, I’m upfront and honest with the girls. They are not the same person, so I do not parent them the same. They are completely different and therefore need different things from their parents. This obviously may not work for everyone, but eight years is a huge age gap, so it works for us.
Rapid Fire Questions:
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Beach or mountains? Both! Anywhere with a book.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Cook at home or dine out? Cook at home
One word that best describes your family? Spunky
Justin and Shana Sullivan have been married for 14 years and have two daughters—Sydney (17) and Nola (9) —plus a Bernedoodle they love dearly. They own their own business, and when they are not working, they enjoy being together. Some of their favorite activities include being outside and on the water, game nights, and family movie nights.
Author: Staff
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