Coping with new role as 'mom'
LILA BALTMAN
Special to Jewish News
Every single day, women all around the world experience the life-changing "metamorphosis" known as motherhood.
From the first moment her baby arrives, a woman suddenly takes on a whole new role, accepts a powerful new responsibility, and is faced with a completely unfamiliar routine. A new chapter of her life officially begins.
Seeking to help women through these many changes and help them cope better in their new role as "Mommy," Lisa Pinkus of Scottsdale and Dori Weinstein of West Bloomfield, Mich., decided to launch a supportive coaching program called "Mommymorphosis."
Graduates of the Institute for Life Coach Training in Fort Collins, Colo., both women saw that there was a tremendous need to help mothers "rediscover themselves and find new ways to balance it all," according to press materials.
"I have had many women tell me that they often feel overwhelmed, inadequate, stressed and crazy when it comes to being a mommy," explains Weinstein, "and these words really should have no place in motherhood. Our primary goal with the Mommymorphosis program is to help women turn their stress into strength."
"Women really need to take responsibility for their own self-care, happiness and soul," adds Pinkus. "We have a responsibility to our children to be the best women we can be. If we are not connected, if we do not have a strong identity, if we do not know how to maneuver through life, then how will we model these things successfully for our children?"
Amazingly, both women, who are married 30-somethings and the mothers of two young sons, have actually never met face-to-face.
They became acquainted over the telephone nearly a year ago when they enrolled in the Life Coach Training program, which is conducted completely via the telephone through "tele-classes."
"After talking to each other several times in our training sessions, and realizing that we were both Jewish, stay-at-home moms with very similar lives, interests and views on motherhood, we finally said to each other, 'let's start a coaching business together that focuses on motherhood,'" says Weinstein. "After all, motherhood is something that we both felt very passionate about, and we agreed that many women today need a sense of emotional support and encouragement in order to become better mothers ... Our coming together was truly beshert (destined)."
Within a few months, the women designed Mommymorphosis as a "12-week journey for mommies to redefine and re-create themselves in an intimate, supportive and coach-led environment."
"One of the unique aspects to life coaching is that it can be conducted anywhere," explains Pinkus. "Coaching groups are led over the phone on a bridge line that allows mommies to fit the group into their own hectic schedules. The phone also promotes the connection of mommies from all over the world."
A Mommymorphosis group is formed when six to 10 women agree to meet at the same time each week for 12 weeks over the phone for 75 minutes. They can literally curl up in the comfort of their own home, pick up their telephone and begin their coaching session. They just have to make sure their children are out of the room so they can focus on the new weekly topic and the different "mental exercises" that Pinkus and Weinstein have designed.
Fortunately for the women in the Greater Phoenix area, because Pinkus lives in Scottsdale she is able to meet and coach with Valley moms face to face and not just over the telephone.
Pinkus says that gift certificates to Mommymorphosis are available.
For $85 per month for three months or $225 paid in full, the 12-week program includes weekly phone meetings for 75 minutes and further contact with a coach via phone and e-mail.
"Each woman who participates in a Mommymorphosis group will get exactly what she is looking for," says Pinkus. "The program is designed for the individual, yet its power comes from the group."
Visit www.mommymorphosis.com or call (866) 467-8837.
Lila Baltman is a freelance writer based in Phoenix.
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