Mason, MI

Tell us about yourself:
My family and I live in Mid-Michigan, where both my husband and I graduated from Michigan State University. I am the creator/founder of Mothering Ourselves, LLC. We offer Personal Renewal Groups, BIRTHING FROM WITHIN childbirth classes, information on placenta encapsulation and comprehensive local parenting resources.  My husband and I each work part-time and take care of our boys Fenton and Reece.

Why did you become a Personal Renewal Group (PRG)Facilitator?
I became a PRG Facilitator because I was so impressed with Renee’s book. After the birth of my oldest son, I was drawn to books on self-care for mothers, but often finished them feeling empty and patronized. Everyone seemed to fall all over themselves to tell me what an “important job” I was doing, but none had any advice for coping beyond “take a bubble bath once in a while.” Renee’s book gave me tools for deep introspection and a way to think about how I wanted to parent while still honoring my journey as a woman AND as a mother.

I am also a BIRTHING FROM WITHIN Childbirth Mentor;  I’ve found that offering PRGs to the community is a beautiful complement to the ways I help families prepare to give birth to their babies AND themselves as parents.

How has the PRG work changed or affected you?
I am a member of a PRG in addition to leading several in the area. The effect this program has had on me is evidenced by the fact that this August my PRG is going into it’s FOURTH year of meeting! When we were finished with the book we all looked around at each other and said, “Let’s keep doing this!” Being a part of a PRG has really helped me to see that taking care of myself and living a human-paced life, is a lifestyle–not an event. Every breath I take has to honor my needs as well as my family’s.

What are your favorite self-care activities?
My husband and I have an agreement that once a month, the other partner takes our boys to church and we each get an opportunity to be at home alone. When it’s my Sunday, I make a cup of coffee, sit in a big comfy chair with a blanket and read.

How to contact you to sign up for a PRG?  
You can learn more about my business and send me an email at motheringourselves@gmail.com

You can meet other facilitators around the globe here. If you’d like to learn more about empowering women in your community, growing your small business and joining our international community of RTA-Certified PRG Facilitators, click here, call 512/459-6700 or email us.