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8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2017 " PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR Chris Jones Quincy, Hayden & Olive's dad BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom MEDIA & ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Julie Brosnan, twins Chris & Finn's mom Megan Walsh, Mia, Noelle, and Adelaide's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom SOCIAL MEDIA Brenda Sapanghila Archer, Maddox & Oliver's mom CALENDAR & COOL THINGS TO DO ELETTER Leigha Pecher Jake and Luke's mom EDUCATION ELETTER & EVENTS Debra Caffrey Aidan's mom FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Pamela Quinones Corinn, Michael, Isabella & Dalton's mom parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540-429-3572 EMAIL leighanne@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA E-MAIL socialmedia@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540-429-3572 E-MAIL fredparenteditor@gmail.com SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's standards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information con- tained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and conditions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2016 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. WRITTEN BY CHRIS JONES LIKE facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent SIGN UP www.FredParent.net TWEET facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent PIN www.pinterest.com/ fredparent FOLLOW @fredparentmagazine I'm always trying to improve my life. Recently, I quit drinking coffee. I felt that between the added daily anxiety that 540 milligrams of caffeine was giving me (that's just two tall Starbucks Blonde Roasts!) and the depen- dence I felt on caffeine in the morning to start and get over the mid-after- noon slump, it was time for a change. I never want anything to master me. As a result, I feel better. I'm more relaxed, more focused, I don't crash, and I don't feel anxiety. My morning now begins with a 12 ounce cup of Earl Gray (40 milligrams of caffeine) or mint tea, and a brisk 1 to 2 mile walk. Being calm has made me a better parent and a better husband. I'm responding more out of love and peace lately than I am out of frustration and fatigue. I'm a lot more attentive and happier now that I am more pres- ent for my family. It's the smallest changes that make the biggest impact sometimes. In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin tried to grasp moral perfection as a way to live a better and higher quality of life. In order to accomplish his goal, Franklin listed 13 virtues: Each week he focused on a virtue. While he didn't become perfect after 13 weeks, he saw drastic improvement in his life. He concluded, "Tho' I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it." How about you? What are some small changes that you need to make in order to feel better inside and have that small goodness spills into other areas of your life? Are there virtues you can pursue that will make you a better mother or father, husband or wife? Change is invigorating. The old adage that "discipline begets discipline" is true. As one area improves, you crave it across all areas. Give it a go. Make a change and watch the quality of your life and relationships blossom this spring. Small Changes, BIG Differences letter to the readers • Temperance • Silence • Order • Resolution • Frugality • Industry • Sincerity • Justice • Moderation • Cleanliness • Tranquility • Chastity • Humility