The thespian festival almost cut our kids. I sent one calm, lethal email. Suddenly? They're performing.

Backstage I became:

• Teen therapist.
• Mom mediator.
• Lighting-crew emotional support.
• And somehow the cheerleader that united men old and young in mutual appreciation.

Fueled by regular Coke and Pilates core strength, I regulated the chaos, got the kids on stage, and didn't break a sweat.

This isn't "Karen energy."

It's competence with Rhode lip gloss