In my professional career, I have mentored thousands of families but my real journey, the journey that has led me here, was becoming a parent myself.  When I had my first child, almost 20 years ago, I was like most new mothers, filled with optimism at how wonderful this journey would be.  

I was not prepared for the challenges that lay ahead and how those would make me feel.  I certainly was most unprepared for the profound effect these challenges and confusing feelings would have on my own mental health and identity as a person.  

I spent years trying to figure it all out on my own, often to the detriment of myself and my children.  I engaged in therapy, devoured self-help content and worked so hard to rid myself of these feelings of ‘not-enough’ but it was only a few years ago that things really shifted for me.  I discovered real practical tools that allowed me not only to reconnect with myself as ‘Mel the person’, not just ‘Mel the mother’.  

 This rediscovery also helped me to understand myself and my personal experience on a much deeper level.  Using the lessons I’ve learnt I have been able to turn what felt like a daily struggle into joyous, peaceful living and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share some of that with you today.