Hi! My name is Shereena and I’m so excited to start my journey as a Detroit Mom! Below are a few things about myself and my family. I can’t wait to learn more about you and yours!
Who I Am
Before becoming a mom, I would’ve told you that my passion and hobbies were anything that involved dance and Disney. While still true, each has evolved quite a bit over the years.
I danced in some form for most of my life until just before I got pregnant with my son and had the pleasure of making dreams come true for over a decade at Walt Disney World. While I still love dance, and still take a spin around my kitchen from time to time, taking classes has taken a backseat for now.
Even though I stopped working for Disney in 2020, I still take a girls trip a few times a year with the dear friends I met there. When I’m not there, I’m planning our next trip.
When I stopped working for Disney I was shocked at how different life felt outside of the “Disney bubble.” The level of guest service I was passionate about delivering was not the standard anymore. A few professionals in my life asked me to coach their staff to be more “Disney-ish.” I took those opportunities and started a company dedicated to doing just that.
Then, when my son was born, I made the decision to stay home with him full time. For now, staying home with my son is my primary focus. However, when businesses have stumbled upon me, it’s been fun to switch gears and bring some Disney magic into the world.
It’s difficult for me to write about who I am outside of being a mom. That role has taken over every aspect of my life. I struggled with that fact for a while and felt like I had lost myself in motherhood. Thankfully, I’ve gotten to a place where I’ve embraced it. Now, I don’t look at my past life as one I lost. I look at each phase as a new one that adds new value to my life. I’ve been a student, a traveler, a workaholic, and so many others. Right now, I’m a toddler mom, and I love soaking up every wild moment of it.
What I Do To Put Myself First
Putting myself first is a pretty big struggle of mine. Asking for help or admitting that I need it has proven to be difficult for me and I’ve only recently started doing the work to break that habit and to live a more balanced lifestyle. Here are a few steps I’ve taken to get the help I need:
- Last summer I found a few babysitters and mother’s helpers in my neighborhood that I felt comfortable leaving my son with.
- I hired a life coach.
- I told my husband that I need time to go get my nails done at my favorite salon (Margot European Day Spa in Birmingham) once a month.
I also try to meet up with a friend as often as possible, even if it’s with our kids. It feels so great to catch up, enjoy some good coffee (usually a maple bourbon latte from Honcho in Clarkston), and connect with another mom.
About The Kids
I became a step mom to Willow and Oakley in 2018 (they’re nine and 11 now), and then had my biological son, Asher, in 2020. It’s been a wild ride trying to figure out how to be both and honestly, I’m still learning every day. I try to keep things healthy in the kitchen and to get these kiddos out and moving as much as possible. But we also have a lot of days that consist of pjs and pizza. Balance, right? Our family enjoys trips to Cedar Point, days on the boat, and nights at home with a movie and popcorn.
Where I’m From and Where I Am Now
I grew up about an hour northeast of Detroit in the small town of Marysville. When I was 21, I moved to Orlando and lived there off and on for 13 years. Eventually, I moved to beautiful Sylvan Lake after I married my husband. My sister-in-law jokes that I always say that everything is 20-25 minutes from where we live, but it’s true!
I love how easy it is for us to get to the Detroit Zoo, restaurants, parks, concert venues, and plenty of play places for the kids. We spend an enormous amount of time at Peppa Pig World of Play, Legoland Discovery Center, and Sea Life Aquarium. I sure do miss Florida in the winter! But I love being able to raise my children near friends and family.
The Content I’m Most Excited About Bringing to Detroit Mom
I am so excited to share all the things I wish I had learned sooner. I found myself saying, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” a lot over the past four years. Whether it’s about pregnancy, labor and delivery, life with your little ones, or even miscarriages, I hope to help other women feel a little more prepared and a little less alone.
