BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Donna - I became more patient, aware and humorous. I had to adjust in order to deal with the sense of loss of control that comes with having children. My schedule was no longer predictable, my ability to come and go as I pleased was taken away, and my relationship with my husband changed as well. I had to tap into some of these qualities in order to help me adjust.

Oh—and my friends! It is hard to believe that some of my closest friends are women I did not even know the day my first child was born.

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?

Donna - One that stands out was when Korey was about 6 months old. He was lying on the floor and Spencer ran over to hug him and they began rolling all over the place. They were laughing with each other and I just sat staring at them. It was the first time it really sank in that my husband and I had created a family and that whatever happens to us, for better or worse, they will always have each other.

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood

Donna - This may sound strange but learning to love my new job as a mother! In the beginning it was so hard. I had a new job, and a new boss who didn’t speak my language.  I had been in school for years to train to be a therapist but in my new role it was all on the job training. Success was no longer measured by traditional metrics, but by my ability to do things like changing a diaper without getting poop all over the place! When I finally embraced that I could be totally in love with my child and also not always love my job as a mom, things became much easier.

BCM - Tell us about your business - Family Wellness Solutions. 

Donna - Family Wellness Solutions was created out of a need to support women in their journey to motherhood and beyond.

We offer individual, group and couples support as well as in-home Wellness playgroups. Seminars and support groups are tailored to meet the needs of women trying to conceive, as well as expectant, new, working and second time moms.

BCM - How can Big City Moms benefit from your services?

Donna - It can be a HUGE adjustment to become a mom. Family Wellness Solutions helps new parents navigate the world of parenthood. So much of what new parents read out there has to do with the baby. Advice on how to breastfeed, how to help the baby sleep, how to get your baby on a schedule.  All of that is great, but it is only one component of the parent/child dynamic. Family Wellness Solutions focuses on the parents. How parents are doing in their new job, how they can gain control at a time that is riddled with uncertainty, how they can still be focused on their marriage and intimacy with a new person living in their house, and much more.

BCM - How do you manage your work life balance?

Donna - Work life balance..whats that? Seriously I think I have learned to manage it by being realistic that there really is no perfect balance. Also, keeping perspective helps. I try never to lose sight of how lucky I am. Even on the craziest of days I keep in mind that I have been fortunate to create a world in which I can do what I love both personally and professionally.

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do w/ your kids?

Donna - I love taking them to the Central Park Zoo and watching them be fascinated by all of the animals. Also, taking them to the playground where they can run and play and get tired out for their nap is also up there on my list!

BCM- What has been your favorite Big City Moms event to date?

Donna - Actually my favorite event had to be my very first new moms luncheon—I can’t remember the topic, but I sat next to a woman who had twins. My baby was sleeping and I offered to help her with one of her twins.  I remember to this day just how good it felt to be out and connecting with someone else who was going through the same thing that I was.  Today, I “nanny share” with this same mom, our kids play together twice a week and she remains one of my closest friends—THANKS BIG CITY MOMS!