My name is Rachel Maietta, I am a mother of three beautiful and unique children as well as a certified parent coach. My children have helped me to expand my heart to depths of love I never knew possible, and they have helped me learn I have limits and need boundaries! Parenthood has been the most serendipitous and challenging adventure yet. I love to learn about and support families. It’s a joy to see all the uniqueness of a family and how they come together whether through birth, adoption, blending, or a combination of the three.
I took the Red Cross babysitter’s course when I was 11 and started babysitting and working with families right away. I went on to study developmental and transpersonal psychology, and found brain development to be absolutely fascinating. Knowing stages of development was also very beneficial. I was trained in infant and early-childhood development as well as general psychology because this work inspires me and I have stayed current with the subject.
Around the period when I was studying psychology, I also discovered the strength of meditation and yoga. It has been an endeavor, but I have managed to meditate daily in some capacity for 20 years. I also fell in love with traveling and learning about other cultures.
My professional work has included counseling families experiencing homelessness and adolescents in a group home. I have started, taught, and directed preschools in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. I also spent many years as the general manager of a yogic retreat and wellness center.
The journey that culminated in the use of all my skills began in 2008 when my supportive husband and I started a family. I thought my background in psychology, early-childhood education, travel, and meditation would make parenting a breeze. Ha! I was so very wrong and naïve. Parenting is hard and takes many skills, similar to learning a new language: You can study but until you are in another country trying to communicate, you do not fully grasp the language. I am constantly awed by how our family grows and changes. We have taken the time to learn and grow together because our connection is strong, which means we are able to adjust and lean into each stage.