Episode 6. When Motherhood Looks Different with Emelda De Coteau
This week, I’m featuring my conversation with Emelda De Coteau, Founder of When Motherhood Looks Different.
Episode Recap:
Emelda and Yaa discuss Emelda's journey as a mother to a neurodivergent child, which led to the creation of the organization, "When Motherhood Looks Different." They also explored the challenges faced by neurodivergent families and the importance of community support, with Emelda sharing her reliance on faith and self-care. The conversation concluded with Yaa encouraging others to stay in community for support and encouragement, and Emelda sharing resources available on her website.
Show Notes:
Neurodivergent Moms and Motherhood Support
Yaa and Emelda, two entrepreneurs and friends, discussed their personal journeys and the impact of neurodivergence on motherhood. Emelda, a certified mindfulness coach, shared her experiences as a mother to a neurodivergent child and how it led her to create the organization "When Motherhood Looks Different." The organization aims to provide support and resources for neurodivergent moms and families. Yaa expressed her admiration for Emelda's work and the positive impact it has on families. They also touched on Emelda's background, including her family, faith, and social justice activism. The conversation ended with Emelda sharing the journey of starting "When Motherhood Looks Different," which began with her own experiences as a mother to a neurodivergent child.
Emelda's Entrepreneurial Journey and Pivot
Emelda shared her journey of entrepreneurship, starting with her business, Women Creatives Chat, which she ran for five years. She then decided to pivot and launch "When Motherhood Looks Different," a website and Instagram page focused on her experiences as a mother. Emelda emphasized the importance of following her heart and being driven by her 'why' in her business decisions. She also highlighted the significance of sharing her story and experiences, which led to the creation of her new venture. Yaa acknowledged Emelda's journey and the importance of stepping out on faith and aligning one's business with their interests and heart.
Supporting Neurodivergent Families' Unique Needs
Emelda and Yaa discussed the challenges faced by neurodivergent families, particularly those with high support needs. Emelda highlighted the isolation, overwhelm, and fatigue that often accompany parenting a child with disabilities. She emphasized the importance of understanding that each family's experience is unique and that support from friends and family can make a significant difference. Yaa agreed, stressing the need for genuine check-ins and understanding that everyone has different capacities and needs. They also touched on the importance of communication and not making assumptions about others' situations.
Faith, Community, and Caregiver Support
Yaa and Emelda discussed their experiences as mothers and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of faith and community support. Emelda shared her reliance on faith and Scripture to navigate the challenges of motherhood and entrepreneurship, particularly in the face of societal oppression. She also highlighted the importance of self-care and affirmations for caregivers. Yaa agreed, noting the significance of creative expression as praise to God. Emelda then shared resources available on her website, including a resource page, caregiver affirmations, and a meditation for moms raising neurodivergent children. She also mentioned upcoming workshops and the launch of a digital store. The conversation concluded with Yaa encouraging others to stay in community for support and encouragement.
