name: Meredith

kids, age: Ireina, 6 Isaiah, 3

where do you live on Maui? Haiku

occupation?

I am in a new phase as of recently since becoming a mom right out of

graduate school. I have been fortunate to primarily be with my children

since they were born as a stay at home mom, while sometimes having

contract work that I could do from home. Mostly projects involving

community organizing, and program planning for senior services. Now that

my little one is almost 4 and starting preschool, I feel like I’m at a big

crossroads with the opportunity of choosing my next path. Currently, I am

contributing to the Maui Mama Magazine, supporting Kate Griffiths as she

expands to a global audience with launching the magazine online. Within

the magazine I am developing a local activity guide, including keiki classes

and local events, with visitor resources as well. Kate’s vision is brilliant

and I’m so excited to be on her team. Furthermore, I am a wedding

officiant and I am putting more energy into developing my business in that

scope. You can find my information about performing ceremonies at

MauiMeredith.com.

what are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and that includes all

dimensions, such as my physical, mental, environmental, spiritual and

social health. Health is wealth! I also, feel very passionate about

advocating for vulnerable and at-risk populations, like seniors, children and

people with mental illness. It’s a big world out there with many services

and resources; I don’t think anyone should feel alone or not supported. I

feel very passionate about creating community, since I’ve moved a few

times to places without family near it has been important for me to create

my own hanai family. I love knowing that my family and me can have

someone to call on when in need and that we are there for others, it takes

a village.

why did you choose to raise your children on Maui?

Moving to Maui to raise our children was a big decision. My intuition really

spoke to me when it was our time. I had always envisioned us on Kauai, it

was the island that we knew most and dreamed of for ten years. But it was

Maui that really called us, we had never even been here prior to moving

here, we didn’t know a single person who lived here. However, when we

gave Hawaii the green light, all signs pointed to Maui, and everything fit

into place miraculously. So we packed six suitcases and headed to the

middle of the Pacific Ocean. Now I can see why, Maui has embraced us. I

feel like it has the right balance for us, the diverse climates are incredible,

the amazing community events, it’s a melting pot of diversity, of course the

beaches and I love how we can feel so far from Haiku when we are just up

the hill in Kula, over in Kanapali and East to Hana all within a few hours.

Yes, there have been challenges but truly it has felt empowering to

establish ourselves here, creating a dream into a reality, I feel like anything

is possible to manifest!

What is the best part about being a momma?

Wow, there are so many amazing parts about being a momma to name

just one is impossible. From the first moment of conceiving to birthing, to

now raising two little people, so many times have felt incredible. I was so

naturally high while pregnant, and then nursing and cuddling with my

newborn in those precious first few weeks was what I describe as the

“highest high!” I just feel so blessed that I was given these precious souls

to mother and have an incredible husband to share all of these

experiences with. The sweetness outweighs all of challenges, I already

feel like they take care of me in many ways. My son recently asked me if I

would marry him and he’ll say things like “I’m never going to stop loving

you”. My daughter sometimes just wants to have me all to herself for

morning snuggles, and when my kids exchange “I love you” or “you’re the

best and cutest baby brother” to each other is simply the best, it’s those

moments that turn your whole world into a love fest.

What has been challenging since becoming a momma?:

It is challenging for me to let go of my inner critic and my expectations, I

can feel embarrassed if my kids aren’t acting in a way that I would prefer. I

feel that it reflects me as a parent. I know that after certain times, if I sit

back and relax about it, I realize they are doing exactly what kids need to

be doing. They often are the center of their universe in their eyes.

What’s your favorite thing to do as a family?

If it’s a day that we are all together it doesn’t really matter what we do, it

can be a simple walk around the neighborhood, or having a dance party in

the living room on a rainy day.

How did being a mom change you?

Becoming a mom gave me this sense of connection with other women, I

feel that there is something in everyone that I can relate to. I became less

judgmental as well, children are each their own person, I realize that you

can be the most gracious, kind, loving parent, feed them the highest quality

foods, give them the sweetest gifts and your children will be who they

please and act how they please. At the end of the day we are all parents,

and it’s the hardest job in the world. Parents need lots of support and we

all have many different strategies as to how we raise the next generation.

My confidence also changed where I find that I have a stronger “voice” that

comes out when I am advocating for my children or hold a strong belief on

an issue.

What are your favorite forms of self-care?

My absolute favorite activity for self-care is to go on a hike/beach walk date

with my husband. We have our best conversations out in nature and at

this time of life, hiking without children really adds to the serenity of the

experience. My husband is also very supportive of my needs to fuel my

soul, I love to catch a yoga class, participate in women’s retreats and go

out dancing with my girlfriends time to time. It is so important to recharge

and so nice to have uninterrupted conversations.

How do you balance your passions and motherhood? Any tips for time

management?:

Time is so valuable, I think it’s important to know when you feel the most

creative, productive and/or focused and try to slice out time for you to work

on the current project at that time. For me it’s mornings. Also, it is

important to schedule in time for fun and time for relaxation. It’s really

motivating to know that I can play at the beach in the afternoon, or the

weekend if I can get my to do list checked off first.

Any advice to the moms and future moms?:

Go outside, let them get dirty, let them make messes and give space to

explore and work out their problems. Allow time for boredom, that’s when

imagination takes over.

Children really need a lot of love and to feel appreciated, as their parent,

be in the moment, don’t be afraid to ask for help and make time for

yourself.