Mary Beaton Ek

Hi! I’m Mary. My husband, Tom, and I have six children, 4 of whom are now teenagers (note my focus on NEW parents….I’ll be hiring my own coach to help me through mothering my teenagers!). While I LOVE being a mom, I am acutely aware that not only parenthood, but even the thought of becoming a parent, brings with it an array of emotions; excitement, love, joy…. fear, anxiety... It will be a privilege to support you as you experience and work through these emotions during your transition into parenthood.

When I decided I wanted to be a parent coach, it occurred to me that those I hope to serve will likely want more credentials than simply my own experience as a mother. So, in between my mothering and consulting business, I’ve spent the last few years attending trainings, classes, workshops and getting hands-on experience in the areas I thought new parents would want or need support.

While I learned a great deal in these classes, my greatest learning happens each time I use and trust my inner compass. I rely on it regularly and my goal is to empower you to do the same with your inner compass. I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned and excited for an opportunity to support and learn from YOU!

In case you’re looking for a bit more about me and my own transition to parenthood…

After my early and strong desire to be a mom and my solely romantic views of motherhood, you can imagine my confusion and disappointment when I began to feel isolated in my own thoughts; fear of being found out, of people realizing that I was simply flying by the seat of my pants, and feeling pressure to look like I had it all together. I was listening to the not-so-hidden messages of perfection that continue to surround us. I was surrounded by “mother shoulds.” I was being led to believe I wasn’t enough, that I could be doing better, that I should be doing this and shouldn’t be doing that…that I was failing not only as a mother, but as a woman. The self-critic was taking over, and I was falling apart.

I didn’t want to ask for help. I didn’t know what I needed. I just knew it was NOT what I thought motherhood would be, but I was afraid of losing control, or worse, being vulnerable. I was ashamed of my feelings and my mothering.

After years of digging deep, I found and began to trust my inner compass. My biggest regret is that I didn’t acknowledge or share my feelings sooner.

I want it to be better for you, and I can help.

In activating and embracing my inner compass I have renewed joy, confidence and a better sense of direction as I navigate life as a parent. To that end, my goal is to help parents find their right path using their inner compass as their guide.