16 years ago, I gave up my career as an International Flight Attendant for the adventure of raising my 2 precious babies. Fast forward to 16 yars later... Now that they are 16 and 13, the adventure is not quite as much as it used to be! It can be downright terrifying in this toxic culture! I've seen firsthand, through my own extended family's life experiences with their own teens, how it can ruin lives. I've watched some nieces and nephews who were GREAT kids, raised in really good families, make life-altering mistakes. Some of the issues I've seen happen to these beautiful, perfect children include video game addiction, prescription & illegal drug abuse, pregnancy, jail-time and even death due to accidental drug & alcohol overdose at a party. Talk about heartbreak! There were times when I almost elt paralyzed with fear when thinking about trying to get my own children through the teen years.

Thanks to Operation: PARENT, I feel empowered to do everything possible to get them through these years most importantly alive, but with their character and self-respect intact as well. I've been involved with OP for over 5 years now and have facilitated classes throughout Louisville, KY, as well as Tampa, Fly. I cannot express how privileged I feel to have spent countless hours with hundreds of wonderful parents of pre-teens and teens, sharing the OP mission and learning from each and every person I've met through this amazing organization.