“What Not to Wear” was a show that, despite every episode following the same monotonous formula, viewers never seemed to tire of watching. I think the allure was both Stacy and Clinton’s candor, and seeing the transformation of everyday people who had lost themselves along the way somewhere. There was an authenticity to seeing how these folks — many of them caregivers — had “let themselves go” in the pursuit of serving others. By the makeover part, they were often in tears seeing what a few minutes of TLC (tender loving care, not The Learning Channel) could do for them. They almost always broke down.

I think parenthood can become a lot like this if we’re not careful. What I mean is we can lose ourselves, our own hobbies and things we like to do. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’ve often wondered who is looking out for me and my needs, and that I’ve harbored resentment at times about all that falls on my shoulders. We talk about “carving out time for ourselves,” but the very act of carving can indicate we’re looking for scraps around the “meat” of life. We can be intentional about our passions in a way that is a healthy example for our children.

Admittedly, this is easier said than done. Just like on “What Not to Wear,” where family members or friends nominated the contestants and had to provide evidence of the person’s need for intervention, my family staged its own sort of “intervention” for me this week.

You see, last year right around my birthday, Greg and I rented race cars through a special event and ran them on a real track with instructors. It was the most exhilarating, exciting, scary and fun experience I can remember in a loooooooooong time. The day had such an impact on me that I continued to share about it with anyone who would listen as recently as a few weeks ago.

Knowing this, Greg began researching how I could do this as a hobby, and you really have to have a car to drive if you want to race. He started a search in February, secretly bought me a car in June, had racing tires and other work done to make it track-ready, and hid it in the garage of his office building for the past two months. On Monday, he and the kids surprised me with it right before we were leaving for an overnight trip to celebrate our 19th anniversary. When I asked him why he did it, as I am still trying to wrap my brain around such an incredible, generous and thoughtful gift, part of the answer was, “I knew you’d never do it for yourself.”

It’s not selfish to do something for you in this season; it’s the opposite.

The lead up to my track day yesterday included a lot of acid reflux and anxiety. It’s one thing to drive someone else’s car on a race track. It’s entirely different when it’s your own. I thought after four runs on the track yesterday my body and mind would relax, but I couldn’t even sleep last night because now my mind is “racing” about how I can improve and get faster. I think I still have adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I realize the magnitude of such a gift and both the ability and permission to pursue something like this are not in the cards for everyone. But for you, maybe it’s some other sport or exercise. Or perhaps it’s something artistic, and signing up for a painting, drawing or calligraphy class would push the right buttons for you. Or maybe you love music, so it could be instrument or singing lessons. It could be as simple as loving Legos and all you really need to do is organize a neighborhood Lego swap and share so you can let your imagination run wild. I’ll never forget when one of my mentors told me she did improv on the side. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top. If you have a nursing baby, it could be getting in a walk ALONE or a long bath with no interruptions. The point is, don’t wait for someone else to do it for you (like me).

It really is never too late to try something new or reignite a former passion. Even if you are in a life phase of caregiving, whether an elderly parent or an infant or toddler, or have a demanding job, it’s not selfish to do something for you in this season. It’s actually the opposite, because when you are recharged, you are better able to help others.

It’s hard not to feel on top of the moon, incredibly loved and completely overwhelmed. Like on “What Not to Wear,” the people who nominate their loved ones for these transformative, lavish gifts see us and want us to feel the love we give to them. It is humbling in the most incredible way.

If you have lost yourself in parenthood, begin with carving. Baby step by baby step, get back to something you love. By so doing, your kids will learn that becoming an adult doesn’t mean you lose yourself or that you are too afraid to try something new. After all, you don’t want to be the person who resurrects that 360-degree mirror wondering how you got to this mom jeans moment as the lead actor in a “What Not to Wear” intervention.

P.S. I peed in peace seven times at the track yesterday. SEVEN.

Today is world famous anthropologist and U.N. Ambassador of Peace Jane Goodall’s birthday. I can’t think of a better way to honor her than to tell this story.

Before the world came to a standstill, I had twice visited the National Geographic Museum temporary exhibit “Becoming Jane” in Washington, D.C. It is an incredibly well-done biography of Jane Goodall’s life — one that left an impact on me far greater than those of environmental and scientific knowledge.

“Most people laughed at me, but not my mother.”

From the beginning of the exhibit, where you are welcomed with a video message narrated by Jane herself, she mentions her mother’s influence. “I didn’t set out to study chimpanzees. My childhood dream was to go to Africa, live with wild animals, and write books about them. Most people laughed at me, but not my mother. She said, ‘Jane, if you really want something, and you work hard and take advantage of opportunities and never give up, you will find a way.’ And I did.”

I knew from that moment there would be a message for me as a parent in this exhibit. Sure enough, the most impactful story was only a few steps into the room, about Jane’s early childhood life.

Jane went missing for a day.

Right now, I imagine most of us are letting our children play outside more than they usually would, and sometimes unattended. I’ve lost sight of my kids before and had to go looking for them. In a matter of seconds of searching, I go from calm to complete panic: I can hear my rapid heartbeat in my ears, my stomach drops like I’m on a roller coaster, and my mind imagines kidnapping, hyperfocusing on every car that’s moving. For Vanna Morris-Goodall, the same thing happened, except when Jane was five, she went missing all day.

Have you ever lost one of your children for a day? I tried to wrap my brain around what it would be like to spend hours in that panic mode. I simply couldn’t. The amazing news is that (obviously) Jane eventually reappeared. Her mother’s response?

A gentle “Where have you been?”

“I have been in a hen house.” Jane’s interest in studying nature was innate. She couldn’t understand how there was a hole large enough on a chicken for an egg to come out, so she waited hours in the hen house for one to come in and lay an egg. Afterwards, she ran to tell her mother about what she had seen. Her mother – who had been frantically searching for her – listened to her patiently, encouraging Jane’s inquisitiveness. In wisdom somewhat beyond my comprehension, she didn’t scold or punish, but rather encouraged.

These reactions could have changed the trajectory of Jane’s life.

I would love to say my reaction would have been gentle like Vanna’s. But I think, knowing myself, and knowing that when my daughter was five, I also had a 3 1/2-year-old toddler and an infant, I would have been more hysterical. In my stress and under adrenaline, I might have responded with complete irrationality, such as “Oh thank God you’re alright! Now go to your room because you’re not going anywhere out of my sight ever again!” Or quite possibly I would have detailed to her five-year-old mind all the terrible things that could happen if she ran off like that again.

These reactions would have made her feel ashamed for her curious nature and quite possibly changed the entire trajectory of her life. Jane said about the incident, “A different kind of mother might have crushed that scientific curiosity, and maybe I wouldn’t have done what I’ve done.”

I left the exhibit wondering what the world would be like if there were more parents like Jane Goodall’s.

Her mother’s encouragement didn’t end there. When Jane was first granted the chance to study chimpanzees in Tanzania in the 1950s, Jane needed a chaperone, as it was viewed unsafe for a single woman of her age to head to Gombe National Park alone. It was Vanne who dropped everything and went with Jane to live and sleep in a tent for months.

I left the exhibit wondering what the world would be like if there were more parents like Jane Goodall’s.

We have an opportunity to see our children explore their passions in a way traditional school might not.

As many of us sit under veritable house arrest with homeschooling duties we never imagined doing, our reactions matter. I believe each of our children has been given gifts by God for the purpose of glorifying Him with their lives. And even if you don’t believe that, surely you can agree that each of your children has natural talents, interests, struggles and unique personalities. We as parents have an opportunity right now to encourage like Vanne did. We get to see our budding scientists, artists, writers, thespians, athletes, engineers and world changers explore their passions in a way that traditional school never could.

I don’t want to forget the lessons that Vanne and Jane taught me. If things settle down, and travel becomes a possibility, I also highly recommend visiting the “Becoming Jane” exhibit in D.C., which is closed at the moment, but is scheduled at least until September 7th.

And happy birthday, Jane. I’m honored to share this day with you.

As an extreme extrovert, staying at home for days-on-end is not typically something that sounds like a good time to me. But we’ve so far been making this coronavirus quarantine work. (I mean, I’m at the start of day four, so if you ask me again in a week, I might change my tune.) I’m curious for more ideas on things to do, so PLEASE share yours in the comments!

• CRAFT A DAILY CHORES CHART OR SCHOOL SCHEDULE – Put your home craft supplies to work and have your kids make their own schedules (or do it for them if they’re too little).
• TEACH YOUR KIDS TO TYPE AND WRITE – I’ve harped on how much our kids need to learn to type without doing a good job helping them along. My older two are enjoying typingclub.com – which is free – and they will be working on it during this “homeschool” break. My youngest needs to work on his handwriting, so I’m doing that with him. If you have ZERO teaching skills, you can still help a child learn to write letters.
• MO WILLEMS DOODLE HOUR – When Greg sent me this link yesterday, I knew we’d tune in. At 1 p.m. Eastern every day, Mo Willems will be offering FREE online doodle drawing classes to the world. He will also be posting them on YouTube so you can watch at your leisure.

• COOKING AND BAKING – Now is a great time to peruse your cookbooks, food magazines and the Internet for recipes you’ve forgotten about, always wanted to make, or want to teach your kids. It’s also a lot of fun to try to make things completely from your pantry if you just can’t get your hands on fresh items you might need. Here’s a list of baking substitutions that has saved me before.

• FAMOUS MUSEUM TOURS – Want to watch something educational? A friend of mine asked for suggestions on Facebook and this was by far my favorite one (and we will be watching!)

• THE MOST DANGEROUS WAYS TO SCHOOL – That same friend (thanks, Chelsea!) found this while searching Amazon Prime. What better way to educate our kids on how blessed they are to have access to great schools than to show them what it’s like for kids in other parts of the world?
• CLEAN OUT TOYS, CLOTHES, AND BOOKS – Whenever I empty our bookshelf and ask the kids to go through it, the most amazing thing happens: they rediscover all sorts of books they haven’t read in a while. With many libraries closed, this is a great way to both clear out the old and get your kids reading. We also began cleaning out our playroom yesterday. My boys rediscovered their Magic Tracks.
• ASK THE NEIGHBORS IF THE KIDS CAN HELP WITH SPRING CLEAN UP – If you have some rakes, your kids can stay six feet away from their elderly neighbors, make a few bucks, and help others.

• GARDENING – Yesterday I went to a family-owned, local garden center and bought a few things for the kids and I to plant. Not only that, but if you can get your hands on some fruit or veggie seeds and starter kits (or you have tiny pots and soil), you can start growing them in your house near the window – now is the perfect time to start! You can buy almost anything you need online on Amazon.
• CONNECT WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE FEEDING HUNGRY CHILDREN DURING THIS TIME – Check out these websites with your kids and find ways you can comfortably and safely help together.

Be sure to video chat with family and friends daily as well, because that helps with feeling connected to others. Now it’s your turn – send me more ideas!!!