A Mom Like You: Meet Jenna “The Mindful Mama”

From Highland Park to Hainesville, the Lake County suburbs are vast and everyone is looking for that parent who’s just like them. This month we’re taking a look “Behind the Trike” and meeting the parents who bring Lake County to you every day. Today we meet one of our newest writers, Jenna, our “Mindful Mom.”

Jenna, our Mindful Mom, is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has her own practice, Be the Change Counseling Services in Grayslake. When she’s not helping others overcome obstacles and realize their potential, she is purposeful about being ‘in the moment’ with her little ones, Benjamin (born Feb. 2012) and Jillian (born Sept. 2014). Although a native Wisconsin resident and Packer fan, she has toured almost every suburb before settling down with her husband Bill in Antioch 6 years ago. Although their brains are wired differently (he is a chemical engineer in Gurnee),  they have faith, values, and goals in common and have been married for ten years. When she gets a chance for some “me time,” Jenna enjoys running, reading, cooking from scratch, creating music, and browsing Facebook.

As a Mindful Mom, Jenna is aware of making choices that benefit her local community. She’s conscious of shopping locally and sustainably, buying fair trade, and supporting small businesses. Jenna has been getting great tips and advice from Little Lake County since her son was born, and is now excited to have a turn to offer her own perspectives. You can also find more of her musings at her blog, A Classic Work in Progress

What are your favorite things to do in Lake County with your family?

We love looking for new and unique things to do together on the weekends; things that might introduce the kids to something new. One example was taking my son to Croc-tober at the Wildlife Discovery Center. We also love to go to the park at Hastings Lake Forest Preserve. It’s so beautiful and family-friendly and has a great running/walking trail. My son calls it “the turtle park”

What is a memorable and challenging mom-moment you’ve had?

 I remember sitting with my son in church when he was about 6 months old and I could tell that he was going number 2. I saw it leaking out, but it was a little too late and ended up on him and me! I remember trying to play it cool while I took him out to clean up the two of us. I had to get really creative to cover up the stainage on myself.

What is some of the best mothering advice you’ve been given?

“Cherish the moment you are in. “

Seriously. This has gotten me through full-blown tantrums and 1 am feedings. Reminding myself that 4 years ago I would have killed for this and in 4 years I will long for it. 

This and coffee. 

How do you balance work and home?

There is no perfect balance. Family comes first and I work my schedule around them. I’m lucky that I can work a limited (part time) schedule. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. Whatever I do, I try to be in the moment and just have to let some things go until later. Like dishes. Even though I hate seeing them left around. “Let it go, let it go….”

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