Shannon Guernsey Coulter created Fassa Tails and Planet Fassa.
As part of our new look in 2013, we’ve added a new column to our magazine: Mom of the Month. In each issue we’ll talk to a local mom that we think is doing great things.
- Three stepchildren, a 15-year-old stepdaughter who lives with her and her husband full-time, 13-year-old stepdaughter and 9-year-old stepson
- Naperville
- Author and creator of the seven-book Fassa Tales series (pen name S. Moo) and Planet Fassa, a go-to website of fun offline activities for busy parents and play-starved, technology-loving kids
In your former corporate life, you liked helping people discover their ‘aha’ moments. So what was your ‘aha’ moment as a stepmom?
My `aha’ moment was when (the kids) came in and asked me how to play. It was so sad to me. I had such a rich childhood of play. I want to use those memories and tell kids how fun it is to play.
What has been the biggest ‘oops’ you’ve experienced as a stepparent?
You can never ever ever ever compare yourself to the biological parent. That’s something you have to deal with all the time.
What is the one thing you wish you could change about raising a kid in Chicago?
In Chicago we have such diversity. I would love to volunteer more with my child so she has a broader perspective on what’s even going on in Chicago.
How would your oldest stepdaughter describe you?
The toughest of all of their parents (laugh). She would say I’m silly, but I’m very open with her. I try to teach her all the time and I hold her to the standard I know she can live up to.
Learn more
Planet Fassa, planetfassa.com, offers 300
offline activities, to which parents assign points for completing.
It is searchable based on the number of children and how much time
is needed (such as the time it takes to make dinner.)
