Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariel Goettsch.
Hi Mariel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for being around children and experiencing their unique perspectives on the world has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. This fascination with our little ones ultimately led me to pursue a fulfilling career in pediatric occupational therapy. Over the course of 12 years, I worked in a variety of outpatient clinic settings, providing comprehensive developmental and sensory evaluations, and delivering individualized, one-on-one treatments to address a variety of concerns, ranging from gross and fine motor control to social-emotional skills and nervous system functioning.
As I would often collaborate with classroom staff and parents to support these children, I discovered a new calling – that of a coach and educator. Being able to dedicate my time and attention directly to the parents and teachers proved to be a powerful and transformative experience for the adults and the children in their lives. By sharing knowledge, strategies, and resources, I was able to help them understand, engage with, and support their children in more meaningful ways.
After a few iterations, I have confidently landed in my current role, driven by a desire to help adults view children through a different lens – one of curiosity and connection, rather than simply relying on behavioral techniques and the goal of changing or diagnosing children. As a coach and educator, I not only empower caregivers, but also offer empathy and validation as they navigate the rewarding, challenging, and often crazy journey of parenthood with their little ones.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges was deciding to leave the comfort of a role that I not only loved but had come to know so well and that also provided a stable income and health insurance. I had dreamt for years of starting my own business and providing care and services in a way that varied from the traditional clinic setting, but the catalyst ended up being both the COVID pandemic and a personal chronic autoimmune diagnosis.
My life took a sudden turn, and it presented an opportunity to reassess my career options both in the short and long term. While I was confident in my skills and eager to help families, I faced several hurdles in terms of the business aspects such as creating a website, developing services, marketing, budgeting, taxes, and more. Nonetheless, I poured my heart and soul into it, scouring the corners of the internet and tapping into the skills and advice of loved ones to make it a reality.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wholehearted Parenting Collective?
I founded the Wholehearted Parenting Collective to empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge to enhance their relationships with their children. My ultimate goal is to transform the way we interact with and connect with our children.
Currently, there is a tug-of-war between structured, direct teaching and child-led, freestyle approaches to raising and teaching children. Despite mounting research in favor of the latter, most schools and parenting strategies increasingly favor a rapid-paced, structure-heavy approach, relying primarily on behavioral modifications as well as limiting freedom for creative movement and open-ended play.
We live in a time where we have access to endless information on child development, yet it can be overwhelming to navigate the countless opinions and strategies. It can be challenging to determine which approaches align with our values and how to effectively implement them.
The Wholehearted Parenting Collective is more than just a program; it’s a way of life. My philosophy centers on a qualitative shift in how we see and interact with our children. Rather than focusing solely on changing our children’s behavior, we aim to understand them better and change our own behavior accordingly. This shift in approach leads to stronger parent-child relationships, improved mental health for both adults and children, increased confidence and competence, and more joy.
I offer virtual coaching services to parents and caregivers, providing support and guidance from the comfort of their own homes. There are options for individual sessions as well as an 8-week program designed to guide parents through the process of understanding their child, modifying their behavior based on what they learn, and implementing these changes in their everyday lives.
Additionally, I collaborate with local early education providers, offering presentations and sharing knowledge on similar concepts to better understand children and the role of the classroom environment in nurturing these relationships.
How do you define success?
For me, success feels like staying true to my values and upholding integrity. Launching and managing a business comes with countless factors that are beyond your control.
So, while I do set strategic goals to steer my business operations, falling short of them does not determine my personal view of success. If you pursue your passion guided by your moral compass, success is inevitable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wholeheartedparentingcollective.com
- Instagram: @wpc.mariel
- Facebook: wpc.mariel
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1MeykDqn6WihBhrlHskymk
