We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Janc and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Becoming a mother has been and continues to be my greatest gift. It’s not for the faint of heart, it takes courage, dedication, self forgiveness and a whole village of support! No doubt motherhood has brought me to my knees where I met my most tender, vulnerable places which ultimately brought me closer to myself and my family. There is no ultimate goal of becoming the “perfect parent”, rather I see it as a process of spiritual and emotional growth. As the needs of my daughter have evolved so has my parenting style. I have had to come to terms with parenting my child in the way she needs rather than defaulting to what I received as a child. Our journey has only just begun as my daughter is approaching her 6th birthday. At this point in time I would say the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is maintain self awareness through therapy and mindfulness. Honoring my strengths, weaknesses, and knowing when to ask for help has served me well thus far and I imagine it will continue to come in handy!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Parenting is no easy task. Feeling prepared physically, emotionally and spiritually can help create a smooth transition for you, your baby and your family. I created Bring Back the Village with this in mind and strive to help families build a strong foundation, maintain healthy attachments with their children and strengthen the connection between partners. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist I offer individual therapy, walk and talk therapy, telehealth (virtual therapy), as well as parenting groups. I am especially proud of the Parent Ceremonies we offer at Bring Back the Village. It is a unique experience for expectant parents. In these special gatherings pregnant couples come together to build their confidence as parents, identify their strengths, expand their village of support by meeting like minded parents and learn grounding practices to help them feel supported in birth and parenting. There is guided visualization, journaling, creating wishes for baby and a celebratory feast at the end. It’s like a baby blessing ceremony but for the parents! We offer these ceremonies in a group format as well as private ceremonies. We also offer parent ceremonies for single mama’s. I wouldn’t say that it’s been an easy experience but it has been filled with many lessons, set backs and accomplishments along the way. Reaching out to mentors for guidance and maintaining a practice dedicated to self care has been an essential recipe for it’s success. I know it can only continue to grow from here! You can learn more about our upcoming events by visiting our website. We would be honored to support you on your journey toward healing and wholeness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the vibe of Encinitas/Leucadia area. When friends come into town I typically take them to my favorite spots….breakfast at Lofty Coffee in Encinitas, the best espresso and gluten free bread! Then we would take a stroll through downtown Encinitas being sure to visit SoulScape where you can find all the crystals and spiritual support you need! After that we would enjoy a relaxing mediation at the Self Realization Fellowship meditation gardens and maybe a stroll on the beach. For lunch we would visit Nectarine Grove in Leucadia and then enjoy the sunset at Ponto Beach.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have deep gratitude for my mentors, guides, ancestors, family and friends. I would not be who I am today without their guidance. There have been many mentors along my journey. Today I would like to honor, Keri Nola at kerinola.com and Gena McCarthy of birthspiritualityandhealing.com for their deep insight, guidance and love. My husband, Joel, whose steady and supportive presence helps me balance both work and home life. And of course, my daughter, Ella Rose. Becoming her mother was an awakening, a remembering of what it means to have a human experience; to love and be loved. She is my ultimate muse and inspiration behind Bring Back the Village.

Website: www.bringbackthevillage.org
Instagram: Bringbackthevillage
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-janc-832624123/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBTheVillage
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bringbackthevillage

Image Credits
Michelle Hayes https://www.michellehayesstudio.com/