Nothing prepares you to be a parent? I disagree!
Hi! I’m María (a.k.a Mamamaria), a psychologist, certified Aware Parenting Coach, mama of 3 in a fabulous blended international family. I was passionate (and crazy) enough to leave a flexible, stable and greatly paid consultancy job for Bill Gates for my mission in life: The creation of Mamamaria to help people decide about becoming parents, help parents to be prepare for parenting, and support struggling parents (pretty much every parent that I know!).
Why? Because we live in a society that is starved of connection, care and community, and we are left on our own to do the most difficult job on the planet, and certainly the most important: I firmly believe that 99% evils and issues in our society can be traced to our childhood experiences.
I always wanted children, though I never really thought about what it takes to be a good parent. I thought love was enough.
I didn’t know anything about parenting. I had no clue about:
No one prepares you to be a parent, they say. But I disagree.
I am not talking about reading a couple of books, doing a birth class and having the cutest baby clothes all set.
I am talking about preparing from within to become parents of a whole human being the rest of our lives, not just for the arrival of a cute baby.
I bring awareness of the huge impact of how they were parented and their coping mechanisms, and also help them understand their children, through the beautiful philosophy of Aware Parenting. I also support two key ‘means’ which are financial preparedness and time management. Anyone who is a parent knows why MONEY and TIME are so crucial in parenting.
In other words: I help you work on your SHIT (with love!) so your kids don’t have to.
Why think about all this? Because most people think ‘we will learn as we go’, but what we do is become another statistic:
Also because by the time we do figure things out, the most critical years of a person’s life have past. The 0-3 years will make us or break us. We either invest in this period or I guarantee you will spend much more money and effort in remedial parenting and divorces later on.
I used to be part of all those statistics, but I am no longer there. My family is thriving, not struggling anymore. Don’t get me wrong: Some days are still difficult, but I have the roadmap of what to do.
The Mamamaria difference
Parenting isn’t one size fits all. Some days, you’re searching for a quick fix for tantrums or bedtime battles. Other days, you’re deep in the trenches, and you come to the most painful realization: Sh*it, I am becoming my mother!
That’s why all I create at Mamamaria is designed to meet you where you are-be it frazzled parent of toddlers, deciding whether you really want kids or not, preparing for your first child, or in the quest to deepen connections with your growing kids.
Let’s take a closer look at what services and courses I offer.
Coaching services: Support for every stage of parenting
Parenting can be so unpredictable-one minute, you’re basking in the glory of your child eating their broccoli without protest, the next, you’re refereeing a full-blown tantrum because you handed them the “wrong” color cup.
That’s where my program Quick Fix comes in. Think of this more like a lifeline for the busy parent. Got a problem making your head spin? I come to you, whether virtually or in-person, to help bring about practical solutions that are personalized.
In our work, together, we develop strategies that will work for your family, factoring in your child’s unique personality, your parenting style, and your daily routines.
Sibling rivalry, sleep struggle, and managing epic meltdowns-whatever issue you are trying to work on, I can help you face it with confidence.
Sometimes, parenting needs more than a quick fix. Perhaps you notice patterns in your family you just can’t seem to break. Maybe you feel disconnected from your child or feel overwhelmed by today’s parenting pressures. And this is exactly where my 1-on-1 coaching comes in. This is a deeper dive-an opportunity to address the root causes of your parenting challenges and create lasting change.
Together, we will explore the following:
This is more than parenting tips. It’s an inside-out job to heal, grow, and become the parent you aspire to be.
Courses: Tailored support for every parenting milestone
If you prefer the flexibility of learning on your own, my courses offer comprehensive guidance for specific parenting challenges and transitions.
The Ready for Baby course is designed for future parents and newbies who want to start their parenting journey with confidence. We’ll cover everything from emotional preparation to practical tips, ensuring you’re equipped to handle the challenges (and joys!) of welcoming a new life. This is NOT a preparing for birth course, but a course to lay the foundations of a healthy life as a parent.
In this course, we’ll tackle the beautiful chaos of parenting with a little structure and a lot of heart, using the SMART framework. These five pillars will help you survive & thrive:
Self-Development and Self-CareBecause let’s face it-parenting will shine a big ol’ spotlight on your unhealed childhood wounds. We’ll work on breaking cycles, forgiving our own parents (or at least trying), and figuring out how to take care of ourselves so we don’t lose it over spilled milk.
Money
Kids are tiny financial hurricanes. We’ll talk about saving, investing, and getting on good terms with money, so you can afford self-care, date nights, and maybe even that family vacation that doesn’t end in tears. Paul van der Kwast, our finance guru, will keep it practical and doable!
Aware Parenting
Imagine parenting without bribes or threats. Sounds wild, right? This approach helps you raise kind, cooperative kids while staying sane. We’ll cover sleep, tantrums, and what to do when you want to hide in the pantry.
Relationships and Community
Because nothing tests your relationship like a baby who won’t sleep. We’ll dig into communication, defining roles, and finding your village-because you shouldn’t have to do this alone (and your mom’s advice might be a little outdated).
Time
Time disappears when kids show up. We’ll dive into hacks, mindset shifts, and magic tricks to help you get stuff done and maybe even have a little time for yourself.
Let’s be honest – all kids have moments when they drive us up the wall. But when those moments turn into consistent undesired behaviors, it can feel like you’re losing touch with your child. The Wild Child course will teach you how to rebuild trust and connection with your child. With a mix of practical tools and emotional insights, you will learn how to:
Events:
BBABBY Fair
BBABBY Fair (Before, Belly, Birth, and Beyond) is a unique event created by me to support future parents, families, and those trying to conceive. It’s a holistic fair focused on the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of the journey to parenthood, going beyond the typical consumer-oriented events. From preparing for conception, navigating pregnancy, and birth, to postpartum recovery and early parenting – we’ve got you covered. This event will bring together care providers, panel discussions, workshops, and booths to offer support and knowledge on topics like mental health, attachment, fertility, and parenting challenges.
Get ready for an enriching experience with plenty of practical tools and inspiration to help you on your parenting journey!
Curious? For more information, check out the Handout!
Why Mamamaria?
Parenting is deeply personal, and so is my approach. I mingle psychology, Aware Parenting principles, spirituality, neurobiology, and good old-fashioned humor in a unique blend at Mamamaria to offer a holistic, non-judgmental environment for learning and growth.
Here’s what makes me different:
Let’s transform parenting together!
Parenting is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re looking for quick solutions, long-term coaching, or a community of like-minded parents, Mamamaria is here to support you every step of the way.
Visit Mamamaria Web or Instagram to explore my services, sign up for a course, or schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and create a parenting experience rooted in love, awareness, and joy.
Parenting is messy, unpredictable, and downright exhausting at times. But with the right support, it can also be the most rewarding journey of your life. Let’s embrace it – chaos, laughter and all in between.
Here’s to raising humans, breaking cycles, and creating a brighter future for our families. You’ve got this – and I’m here to help.
