Meet Mary Vaughn, Founder of Mother Together, Mom to 4 boys, Henry (8), Warren (6), Nathaniel (4), plus new baby boy, Benedict. Mary and her family live Peachtree City where her husband, John, grew up! Mary founded Mother Together in 2018 and offers Mom Coaching, Sleep Consulting, and Potty Training Coaching, in order to “bring the joy and energy that comes with having a routine and sleeping kids to as many moms as possible, in ways that align with their parenting style and values”. In our Q&A, Mary shares more about the services she and her team provide along with her favorite “Mom Hack”!
Q&A
What is your background? Tell us about your career.
I graduated from American University in DC with a degree in education and political science and taught middle school history for just one year before I married my husband, who was in the Army. I quit my job, moved back and forth across the country several times, and found it very difficult to recertify and job hunt with each move, so we opted for me to stay home and raise the kids. I was certified through the Institute of Pediatric Sleep and Parenting and the Parent Coaching Institute, and launched Mother Together in 2018.
What called you to become a Parent Coach, Sleep Consultant, and Potty Training Coach?
When our oldest was born, I was a young mom, living far from both of our families, without much of a support network in El Paso, TX. When Henry just didn’t sleep (ever), we sleep trained, and it quite literally changed our lives for the better and made our parenting journey so much more joyful. It gave us the confidence to have a 2nd, and a 3rd, and now our 4th. I want to bring the joy and energy that comes with having a routine and sleeping kids to as many moms as possible, in ways that align with their parenting style and values. Potty training and parent coaching came as natural follow-ons to supporting moms at every age and stage. One of the core values of Mother Together is providing 1:1, customized, high-touch support to moms who need it most so we can make this motherhood thing just a smidge easier.
What is the best thing about your job?
My job allows me to quite literally change families’ lives for the better every single day. As a parent coach, I help moms tap into their strengths to be more present, joyful, patient parents who can raise the best versions of their little people. Sleep, as we all know, can improve life for the whole family. My business has traveled with me through three moves and allows me to be present to my boys in ways that a traditional job could never.
What is your best “working mom” tip?
You can’t be 100% to everything all of the time. so give what you can and stop to take care of yourself. Self-care is such a buzzword, and I don’t mean you should schedule pedicures and massages. I mean drink water, get sleep, make a little bit of time for the things that make your heart feel full again.
What is your favorite “mom hack”?
This is a new one for me this summer, but you’ve got to trust me. Cut back on screens as much as humanly possible. It is hard and there is absolutely a detox period, but the overall benefits are so much greater than the short-term convenience of screens. Our kids play more cooperatively, don’t complain about being bored, read more, are more creative, play with all of the toys we already own, and their attitudes are so much more pleasant. I was absolutely in the camp of “why would I ever take away screens? We need them.” But I can firmly say it has been one of the best decisions we have made as a family.
What do you love about Peachtree City and the surrounding areas?
I’m still new here, but have found everyone I have met in Peachtree City to be genuinely kind and welcoming to our family. I have met moms here who go so far out of their way to make us feel like we aren’t just “new” around here and it has meant the world to me.
What TV show are you loving right now? Book? Movie? Podcast?
I am starting Daisy Jones and the Six so that I can finally go watch the show.
I burn through audiobooks like it’s my job, and I’m working my way through the Outlander series, too!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our Moms?
One thing I have learned as a mom and especially as a military spouse is that it is okay to ask for help and we don’t have to have it all together. Ask for help from an expert on things like sleep if you need it. Ask for help from your doctor if you aren’t feeling like yourself. Ask for help from your partner or family in whatever ways they can support you. Ask for help from your community when you need babysitting or someone to lend a hand. 99% of women I’ve met want to be able to help others, but many of us (myself included!) can be shy or ashamed to ask. Just ask. Lean in and let others lift you up.
For more information and/or to schedule a consultation, visit www.mothertogether.com.
