Parenting is by far the hardest thing that I’ve ever done.

 

No matter what, I seem to be able to find something to feel guilty about and many days I’ve taken about 100 deep breaths by 9 AM.  This is coming from someone with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in early childhood education (0-8 years old), a special education certification, who taught 35 kindergartners in a low income area without an aide, and who also spent two years teaching children with multiple and severe disabilities.  I also have to mention that five years prior to motherhood I began yoga, meditation, and actively began working on things that I wanted “cleaned up” so as not to model negative behavior for my future kids.  And yet I still find myself in tears more often than I’d like to admit.  

 

What I failed to realize as a young woman was that my professional background didn’t make me a shoe-in for motherhood…or did it? On one hand, I’ve stayed sane despite having four kids in five years (born 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) but on the other, I know that even the Dalai Lama would struggle. For real, this is one of my mommy-favorite parts from The Book of Joy, where Douglas Abrams shares what the Dalai Lama observed while watching a mother of 2 handle herself during a long flight:

 

“I thought about it, and I don’t think I would have had that kind of patience.”  The Dalai Lama’s comment echoed a topic I have discussed with quite a few religious seekers and parents: It probably takes many years of monastic practice to equal the spiritual growth generated by one sleepless night with a sick child.

 

Doesn’t that make you feel so much better?!  I know it’s something that I remind myself of often – even the Dalai Lama would lose it right now.

 

 

However I will say that I work really hard to stay true to the things that matter to me based on my professional observations.  Early childhood has been my passion since literally my own childhood, I’ve taken notes about what types of values I want to instill in my kids and over the years, I’ve asked a lot of questions of the parents who I’ve seen doing it well.  Some of the biggest lessons that I’ve prioritized have stemmed from my own Okinawan culture and personal studies regarding mindfulness.

 

The qualities I’ve observed in responsible and independent children are:

* A healthy relationship with food and their bodies, body awareness

* Gratitude and self-control, emotional intelligence

* Routines, chores, procedures and expectations

 

These are just some of the topics that I want to share with and teach YOU, that’s why I’m thrilled to introduce my course: Early Childhood the Okinawan Way.  

 

What is Early Childhood the Okinawan Way?

Okinawa is known as a Blue Zone, one of the healthiest places in the world, arguably the happiest and it also happens to be where I was born and raised by my Okinawan family. When I moved to the United States for the first time as an 18-year old college freshman, I experienced a tremendous amount of culture shock which resulted in a downward spiral in my lifestyle choices.  I realized that in order to get back to myself I needed to go back to my roots… then I wanted to give my kids the same advantage that I had being raised Okinawan.  In this course I share with you how I manage to do that while living in the States: how I bring my island to my kids, my teaching background to my motherhood, and how I apply my patience from special education on a daily basis.

 

*My oldest son connecting with his namesake and my younger children receiving my mom’s love language: food.

 

I wrote this course because too often in early childhood I see parents focusing on academics and memorization rather than on the foundation of living a healthy, happy, and productive life – which ultimately leads to success in every sense.  Teenage suicide, depression, addiction, is on the rise and I believe there are things we must do for our future generations to change this.  I have always wanted to make a greater impact on society’s future and I know that speaking to and teaching parents is the best way to do that.  

 

Early Childhood the Okinawan Way is a special group available now for those who want a parenting re-set. It’s for those who want to learn more about the Okinawan principles that make these islanders some of the healthiest on the planet.

 

This mastermind group was born not only out of my desire to share my greatest tips and lessons but also as a space to personalize the learning experience with group coaching. As we all know, parenting differs from day to day and child to child and as a special educator, the bulk of my job was spent writing IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) meaning I examined each child and family’s circumstances, skill levels, and resources to create the best type of support for success.  I want to help you do the same in an intimate group setting so that we can make you and your child’s life easier, establish a strong family connection, and give your child lifelong independence.

 

This unique opportunity (currently at a low beta-testing price point) will be a private forum for us to share, learn, and thrive rather than merely survive these early childhood years. I’m looking for those who want to grow in a vulnerable, safe space.

 

Here’s who I’m looking for to participate in my exclusive course, Early Childhood The Okinawan Way:

 

• Parents who are ready to be coached DIRECTLY by me to cut through the false messaging and competition that often accompanies early childhood and blaze a new trail.

• Parents who are craving dedicated, intensive, loving and raw support of like-minded souls.

• Parents who are ready to face what’s not working, and figure out where they can make adjustments to simplify their family’s life.

• Parents who are ready to drown out the noise and listen to what’s best for THEIR FAMILY UNIT.

• Parents who are ready to make changes and change the trajectory of not only their child’s life, but their family’s future generations.

• Parents who want all of the above but most of all, want to gain better control of THEMSELVES in order to roll with the parenting punches.

 

We’ll be connecting with others who are willing to work hard for what they want.  This experience is not for the person who wants to skate through parenting. This is for those who are open to new ways of thinking and implementing new ideas. Is this you? If so, here’s what the course includes:

 

• Six live, group video chats.  One chat per week, for 6 weeks.  (All calls will be recorded and yours to keep forever).

• Through our work together (assignments, worksheets and discussions), you will set your own goals to focus and simplify your parenthood, the Okinawan way (I’ll help with this!), and I will hold you accountable to all of them.  Each call will feature live, on the spot coaching, motivation, personal check-ins, and Q&A.  You set the tone for each call.  You show up with your own goals.  I coach you on the spot, and help you develop an action plan each week.

• A space where you share what you would like parenthood to look like, how you would like to feel – without judgment – and receive the support to start making these goals your REALITY.

• A special private Facebook group to meet in for our entire 6 weeks together. I will be active in the group every single day supporting you and cheering you on!

• A space to get honest and real about the struggles of parenting and receive the support you may not be receiving from your friends, your spouse, or your co-workers. We all know a community like this is PRICELESS!

 

CALL SCHEDULE: Sign up for my email list to stay in touch about the next session for this course.  

Note:  Future course rates that include live group coaching will be higher.

I know it’s hard to spend money on ourselves (I’m a mom – I know!). But I also know what a difference these Okinawan-inspired principles have made in my sanity as a person and as a parent. What better gift could we give ourselves this holiday than the gift of community, the gift of new perspective, new ideas, a sense of calm in this hectic season of motherhood?

Early childhood caregiving can be rough, but it doesn’t have to be. Let me help you focus on the things that matter – creating a new trajectory for you and your family.

 

Are you ready?

 

I am so passionate about every detail in this course and my drive always comes from my love of early childhood – we should be enjoying this time, so let’s make the most of it by cutting to what matters.  Less stress, more joy.  If you’re in, sign up to be on my email list HERE. And as always, just contact me if you have any questions about this opportunity.

 

With love,

Steph

 

*Okinawans believe in balance: you can have your veggies with your beer and sanity.