Jennifer Watt, RPYT, CD(DONA)
1.How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
3 kids! 2 boys & 1 girl: 8, 5 & 3
- How long have you lived in Short Hills/Millburn/Livingston and what made you decide to live here?
July will be 3 years. My husband’s commute at the time brought him into Jersey City, which wasn’t easy to get to. He needed to take the path. He wanted to drive to Harrison Park & Ride. We wanted a town close to 280 in a great school district were our two staples! Can’t get better than Livingston!
3.Tell us about your business and what other local things you are involved in! And how did you get started?
I am a co-Leader for Morristown B.I.G. We meet in my wellness center on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 10:30-12. B.I.G. is a Women’s Empowerment group. The local chapter in Livingston/Milburn/Short Hills meets the 1st Friday of the month at the Gosseling Group, 555 Milburn Ave., Short Hills from 9:30-11am.
https://www.believeinspiregrow.com/
I am also the co-founder of Avalon Wellness Center. I am the patient Liaison for Our Birthing Center and the founder of Mindful Birth®️ Pre & Postnatal Yoga | Birth Doula Services | Mindful Birth Workshops.
I began Avalon Wellness Center while pregnant with my 3rd baby. We opened our doors in the spring of 2016. It’s Classes & Wellness Services for Pregnancy, Birth & Motherhood.
I began Mindful Birth in the summer of 2018. It’s all about Educating, Guiding & Empowering women to have their best births.
My Why:
Avalon Wellness Center:
Post my first birth I suffered with postpartum depression. I vowed to create a haven for all women to have access & know where they can find support & love.
Mindful Birth
I have had 3 very different birth experiences! The 1st was medicated, The 2nd was a c-section and my 3rd was a natural VBAC. I can’t truly put into words how AMAZING I felt after my natural VBAC. I worked hard for that achievement and wouldn’t have changed a thing! I had a doula present at that 3rd Birth! DOULAS ROCK! I wanted to help other women achieve their goals as I was guided and supported with mine!
https://www.avalonwellnesscenter.com/awc-blog/2017/5/8/three-babies
4.Favorite thing to do when you need “me time”?
I go to Club Pilates in Livingston a couple days a week. I love it so much!! Michelle rocks!!!
LOVE MY YOGA! I go to JaiPure in Montclair on Tuesdays at 9:30am with Jillian Pransky. It’s worth the extra effort to get there!!! Promise!!!
Acupuncture puts me into my zen zone! Michelle Aubee at Livingston Family Acupuncture ROCKS!
I see my Mindfulness Mentor, Marie Singer at North Jersey Health & Wellness in Florham Park.
I practice Dashboarding!
https://www.avalonwellnesscenter.com/awc-blog/2019/1/27/how-to-make-your-wishes-come-true
Sergio Amarante at Body Balance & Harmony is the best massage therapist around! Lucky me, he set up shop at AWC!!!!
5.Favorite place for dinner with kids?
Calabrias in Livingston and Dozo in Livingston.
6.Most enjoyable place to hang out?
As a family, we like to hike to Hemlock Falls in the South Mountain Reservation. In the winter, we chill in the Livingston mall. Winter sucks!
By myself, I like to grab sushi and chill at Dozo before the kid pickups begin. In the fall/spring/summer my porch is pretty fantastic!!!!
7.How do you balance your career and being a mom?
LOADED QUESTION… but I did write a blog about it. It’s a pendulum. Sometimes, I’m focused on a work project and the kids get a little less of me. Sometimes I’m 100% locked and loaded on being a present mom. At all times, I try not to judge myself or others! The biggest thing is surrounding yourself with the right village! My village rocks!
8.Proudest mommy moment(s)?
MY NATURAL VBAC BIRTH on 12/27/15!
9.Can’t believe that happened mommy moment!
Getting stuck in that god-awful snow storm (back in October) and couldn’t make it up Northfield Avenue to pick up my babies at TBA The Early School. Thank God for the director, Debbie Ziering, who stayed with my kiddies until our amazing mommy friend Pam came and got them!!!! #MyMiniVanSucks
What a night that was!!!!
10.Best advice you have gotten from a mom?
“Don’t judge your fellow moms, they are all doing the best they can.” I try to shed love & light wherever I go. We are all just doing the best we can!
11.Best piece of advice you can give other moms!
FIND YOUR VILLAGE!
12.One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
My husband I met in kindergarten! I tell my kids all the time to be nice to those girls because you never know if one will be your wife one day.