This is my first blog post of The Parents’ Place relaunch.
It’s tempting to think about new beginnings, isn’t it? A new chapter; a fresh start; turning a page— we have lots of metaphors that imply purity in our ventures, as if we could be as blank as the next piece of paper behind the scribbled one we’ve ripped out and thrown away.
Since I started The Parents’ Place two years ago, a lot has happened in my life. Some of it has been welcome and joyful: the birth of our second son, Isaac; moving from Brooklyn to Hartford; purchasing a house and becoming active in our new community. Some of it, for you, me, and everyone in the world, has been surprising and scary, as we all make our way through this time of pandemic.
From the business side of things, sometimes the last two years felt full of setbacks. The failure story in my head goes like this: I tried to start a business in Brooklyn; it didn’t take off; I had to go back to my job as a school teacher to make ends meet; and I fell behind on my dream. That kind of story makes me want a brand new start.
But there’s another story about what’s been happening with The Parents’ Place. It’s a learning story, and it goes like this: I took a huge leap to start a business in Brooklyn; my family realized we were ready to plant roots in Hartford; I paused my business to be available when my school needed me; and over this time in germination, I have learned a ton about what and how I want to teach, and am ready to bring all of that excited energy to The Parents’ Place, version 2.0.
In a learning story, new is not new. New is clearing off some accumulated grime, making some repairs to the old foundation, and building up from there. And what’s great is that’s how our bodies work, too. We may have changes we want to make— to get stronger, to increase our physical and emotional stability, to be more able to relax. The ad line of “a whole new you!” can be pretty appealing, but it’s as flimsy as a house of straw.
Your body carries your history and your stories— the welcome and the unwelcome, the strengths and the scars. I will listen to your stories and help you clear off whatever dirt is covering your strong foundation. And from there, we will build your strength, your stability, and your relaxation response. You will find that you don’t need to throw away your scribbled pages. You can love and honor where your body has been, and grow forward in ways that help you feel and move better in your daily life.
Check out these two new online courses to help you get started. For Tired Anxious Wound-Up Parents in the Midst of a Pandemic is your mind and body’s guide into deep, restorative relaxation in a singularly stressful time. You’ll be amazed at how much better you can function when you tap into your innate ability to relax. Pair that with Strong As a Mother, which will help you build the physical and mental strength you need to do what needs to be done.
I can also work with you one-on-one to even better meet your particular needs. The Getaway Package lets you put down your responsibilities for awhile as I do the mental work to guide you through exercise sequences designed just for you. Or, if you’re ready to take a deep dive into learning and become the expert in your own body, The Get-Ready Package will train you to be your own strength, stability, and relaxation teacher.
Whether it’s our bodies or our businesses, new is never really new. And that is a great thing. Welcome to The Parents’ Place 2.0. I’m so excited to work with you.