About
“Be somebody that makes everybody feel like somebody.” – Kid President
LET’S GET PERSONAL! HELLO & WELCOME
I’m Jenn, Founder, and Owner of Becoming Parents, LLC, but folks also know me as that crazy gal who is a Mom of 18 kids! The road to becoming Mom of 18 is full of interesting twists and turns that led to the outrageously huge, blended family I am so proud to have.
If you’re ready to have a free 30-minute consult, click here to schedule.
I am a mama who loves all aspects of my family life and embraces the lessons I’ve been taught (both positive and challenging), and I understand the need to conquer stress and embrace joy and gratitude amid life’s chaos.
Parenting these 18 humans is why I have spent so many years supporting other Moms.
“Parenting since 1992” as well as nearly a year of infertility, 3 miscarriages, 1 hospital birth, and 3 home births taught me a tremendous amount. I breastfed 7 children, including 3 of my adopted babies – for 11 years in total, relactating for two of them, and have had extensive foster parenting experience. I spent 15 years as a foster parent, as well as a trainer. I also have 12 years past experience as a breastfeeding counselor, 5 of those as an IBCLC, and was blessed to spend 7 years off and on as a birth assistant for a midwifery practice in Alaska. I have a huge blended family and suffered the loss of an adult son in 2016.
All of these experiences honed what was working, and formal training earned the qualifications to confidently help others.
TRIALS
On the journey that is my life, my trials taught me that I built a toolbox and unique skillset – and I always found a silver lining. In the trials and moments I didn’t think I could carry the load, I prayed, had faith, and knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I built a life I love from the ashes of what I initially believed was failure. My Christian faith was a huge part of navigating this journey.
FAMILY IS KEY!
I was a stay-at-home foster Mom and worked with other Mamas for over 12 years. I homeschooled, had babies, adopted, breastfed, and made baby food from scratch, and it was a challenging life that I adored. I spent another decade post-divorce as a Mom working in the corporate world trying not to feel like I was failing in every aspect of my life to balance it all, and finally, I became an Entrepreneurial Mom – and was able to go back to a career I love making a difference in the lives of others. I feel blessed to have an opportunity to go back to a life I loved serving women.
I’ve been divorced, a single mom, and I’ve also experienced a beautiful life with a blended family.
In the end, I was blessed to end up with kids from everywhere. More than “Yours, Mine, and Ours” – an amalgam of foster children who aged out or stayed long-term, adopted children, stepchildren, biological children, and even a foreign exchange student.
It. Is. Awesome. And hard. But worth it.
BEING HEALTHY IS A PRIORITY
I’ve been active in many ways, but the one thing that was always a part of my life off and on since college was running. Inexpensive, portable, and done in any weather, running not only keeps me in good physical shape but also gives me a chance for my head to clear. Running is a place where I can be a diva, while at the same time, it’s perfectly natural to snot rocket, pee outside, and sweat profusely.
Running is my time to think, problem-solve, and plan, but mostly it’s time for me.
Learning a healthy balance of self-care, and giving to others is a challenge at times, and has been important to me to show up as the best version of myself.
MINIMALISM
We’ve learned that less is more…. We embrace a minimalistic lifestyle and have downsized enough to live a dream and be full-timers in an RV – which has been an enlightening and ongoing journey.
Our “less is more” lifestyle continues to create an environment with less stress, less spending, less stuff, better relationships and adventures, less consumerism, and more memories.
Having strong family ties, being healthy, and building memories are some of the things that are most important to us. The kids have grown up fast, we’re happy to enjoy the journey.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND
GIVING BACK
My business took things I love – raising powerful humans, being a partner and healthy lifestyle enthusiast, and a desire to give back to women, and has created beautiful stories. That is blissful.
Join the journey to living life to the fullest!
2 Comments
Jacqui
Absolutely love it! The pics are great!
What did you drive back then?!?
Jenn Taylor
I drove a 15-passenger van for over 15 years.