Doors are closed. New cohort starts 8th of January 2026. Join the waitlist to receive early bird discount and early access when doors open, because the spaces are limited. No strings attached, just an invitation to be kept in the loop.
You're stuck between who you used to be and who you're becoming — and honestly, you don't recognize either version sometimes.
Your desire for a meaningful career feels in direct conflict with the mother you want to be. It seems like it has to be one or the other.
You wonder if you've lost your ambition — or if ambition even means the same thing anymore.
You have everything you ever wanted but somehow still find motherhood SO difficult, which makes you feel ungrateful and confused.
You're torn between work and home constantly, never feeling like you're showing up fully anywhere.
You don't have words for what's happening to you, but you know you're not the same person who confidently navigated life before kids.
You wonder why motherhood feels so hard when everyone else seems to have figured it out (spoiler: they haven't).
Here's the secret:
I've seen too many brilliant women fall victim to the belief that they should just adjust to motherhood — that other moms are handling this fine, so clearly the problem is them.
But here's the truth: You're not broken. You're not failing. You're transforming.
What you're experiencing has a name: Matrescence — the massive identity shift that happens when you become a mother. It's as significant as adolescence, but society forgot to tell you that.
On top of that, you're navigating this transformation in a culture that:
Doesn't value care work
Expects you to be the "perfect mother" while remaining the "perfect employee"
Has systemic biases against mothers built into its very foundation
Keeps selling you the myth that you can "have it all" without changing anything
The system is the problem, not you.
But here's what the system doesn't want you to know: This disorienting phase isn't something to survive — it's your invitation to create the life you REALLY want.
This might not feel top of mind for you right now as you're managing the daily chaos, but it needs to become top of mind for everyone in society: You are already a leader.
Through matrescence, you're undergoing the exact same personal transformation that traditional leadership development programs spend years trying to create. You're developing emotional intelligence, learning to navigate paradoxes, building resilience, and becoming more authentic — all while your brain has enhanced neuroplasticity that makes this growth faster and more profound than any corporate training.
Research shows that effective leadership depends more on mindset transformation than skills training. The journey from who you were to who you're becoming as a mother? That's advanced leadership development. The Working Mom Renaissance Method™ honors your matrescence experience while applying world-class, evidence-based leadership frameworks — because you deserve to recognize the profound leader you already are.
Read more about this vision: "Motherhood is Leadership - the Potential of Matrescence"
This isn't about going back to who you were. It's about stepping into who you're becoming — on YOUR terms.
This is a clear, guided process that leverages the unique neuroplasticity and developmental opportunity of early motherhood to help you:
Stop battling between mother and career — and start integrating them in a way that actually works
Reclaim your sense of self without abandoning your children or your ambition
Make empowered decisions about work, family, and your life from a place of clarity, not chaos
Phase 1
Reveals what ACTUALLY is going on
Finally understand WHY you feel so different (Matrescence)— and why that's not only normal but powerful. Get the map for this massive transformation so you stop feeling lost, and MAKE SENSE of you unique experience.
Phase 2
Evidence-based tools lasting mindset shifts
Quiet your inner critic, stop the guilt spiraling, and build unshakeable confidence in your choices using scientifically-proven Positive Intelligence methods, tailored to your Matrescence experience
Phase 3
Getting clear on what decisions to make
Create your personalized blueprint for career, family management, parenting, and self-development — aligned with who you're becoming, not who you used to be.
The Leadership Expert Who Gets It
Former McKinsey strategy consultant to international corporate leadership teams. Selected for Alibaba's exclusive Leadership Program at their China headquarters. Founder of TheoryY, specializing in trust-based organizational transformation.
8+ years of leadership development expertise as a licensed facilitator of group processes, Leadership Circle practitioner, and Positive Intelligence specialist. Mentored by Motherhood Sociologist Dr. Sophie Brock.
But more importantly: Mother of three little boys who has navigated matrescence across two countries, three different circumstances, and discovered that the natural leaders of this world are us — moms.
"I know what it's like to excel in demanding careers AND navigate the complete identity shift of motherhood. I've been lost in the overwhelm, and I've found the power. This program combines my deep expertise in leadership development with the lived, raw experience of matrescence transformation."
Yes, this work will benefit your children. But that's not why I want you to join.
I want you to join because YOU matter — not just as a mother to others, but as a whole human being with dreams, needs, and potential that deserve to be honored.
I want you to join because you're important in your own right — and you don't have to shrink yourself to fit into someone else's version of motherhood.
I want you to join because every month you stay stuck is a month not living as yourself — and this feeling won't resolve on its own.
Real women, Real transformations:
A director with a decade+ in corporate first gor promoted after the program, and then quit her job to pursue her lifelong passion (and talent): dancing
A lawyer in a high-paced job achieved inner alignment about choosing a 9-5 in law and negotiated 4 extra months of holidays during her transition
A project manager in corporate started her own business on the side to test if the transition fits her
A manager took the GM offer in her company after negotiating her boundaries so sharply she feels comfortable doing this while being the mom she wants to be (including long summer breaks and minimized travel)
A sustainability advisor quit her 14-year high-potential job to take her family abroad on a sabbatical
An ex-CEO turned climate expert chose to take her kids out of childcare and spend significant time with them at home (because she finally realized she's 'allowed' to do that, despite what her environment expected)
A consultant chose to go from 5 to 4 days, and spent 50% of that extra time as pure me-time
A finance leader brushed off an old hobby and attended a sports instruction course, just because it fills her cup besides her job
It really was ground breaking. If I look back on it, it's the most favorite course I probably have ever done as a leader. It has been more transformative than the courses I took at Berkeley, Insead and Yale, because you work with my lived experience, and the course provides both an understanding AND the tools for how to actually live a more authentic life.
This journey has made the constant guilt I felt being at work vs. being with my kids go away. Becoming a mother is the best leadership class I had (and I've had many), it just took this course to recognize it.
The course offers a valuable opportunity for self-reflection at a crucial moment in your life, allowing you to explore a new work-life balance that goes beyond part-time work or being a full-time stay-at-home mom. You will receive practical tools to shape this transition, alongside a group of like-minded, ambitious women looking to redefine their careers after becoming mothers. The program supports you in making conscious choices for your future.
It was mindblowing. Mother on MY Terms showed me there's a reason for feeling the way I was feeling after going back to work as a new mom. The societal and scientific explanations we learn about bring it all into the picture. It helps you to take a step back and realize what you’ve gone through.
I now see motherhood as an opportunity, as so powerful. What an amazing power we have to create life and be mothers in this day and age. I certainly feel more empowered.
The journey has brought me profound recognition and a deep sense of affirmation in my experience as a woman and mother. It allowed me to grow emotionally, and to connect with parts of myself I hadn’t fully honored before. The insights I gained during the process continue to resonate in my daily life. It was a deeply enriching, nurturing, and transformative experience that I will carry with me for a long time. Thanks Babette :)
It's such a recognition to be learning about Matrescence, to hear from the experience of other women and feel I'm not the only one. The program validated me in the feelings of enormity. I'm more self-compassionate, more intuitive and more confident."
The journey has helped me to better navigate the challenges of combining an ambitious job with family life. By learning in depth insights about my own personal development as a mother, practical skills in positive intelligence and a valuable trusted community of peers.
"I have more awareness of my own motherhood journey. Better understand why my needs and priorities have shifted. Finding my personal leadership and guiding principles style as a mother."
"What changed is being insecure about and afraid of the opinion of others or 'the outside world' on how it should be, the combination of motherhood and work — and now I can better distance myself from that and listen more to myself."
"Give more priority to my own needs and do family activities that energize me while strengthening family bond. Feel more self confident and positive intelligent in motherhood. Regaining more independence."
"I have a clearer prioritization model within our family now, what are our values, what doesn't fit, how do we want to live our lives and alignment on this."
"The insight that feeding your own little needs in time is essential to take care of others. A little goes a long way."
"More insights in my own saboteurs and how they show up during the day. I'm able to live more 'in the moment', having a calmer temper."
"I have more acceptance of my feelings."
"Feel more confident in my parenting style and less sensitive to opinions of mother in law."
"What was the most unepexted outcome? Spending more time with my kids, at home!"
"I had a more negative feeling about staying at home with my kids before the journey, that has changed, as I see the value it brings both to myself and my kids (not prioritizing what society expects of me)."
"I'm able to stay more centered. Talking more about positive and negative emotions during the day when challenges occur."
"A husband who better understands what matrescence means and has more understanding for the personality changes I went through in the past few years."
"A better way to have discussions with my partner, that doesn't leave us stranded all the time."
"The way my partner had no clue about matrescence and was so surprised about the expectations society puts on mothers. Him understanding this better has improved our relation too."
"The division of household/caretasks has improved in our relationship."
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The immersive 16-week journey blends self-study, reflection exercises, group calls and a 6 week intensive habit formation bootcamp into a transformative process that supports what you want to achieve: leading towards your fullest potential through motherhood.
The time commitment for this journey is 2 hours per week for watching content and engaging with the reflection exercises + 1 hour live sessions (3 in module one, 5 in module two, 3 in module three) Replays of live calls will be available. If you cannot make this time investment, I would strongly suggest to wait for a next round of the journey.
Week 1-5: Understanding Your Transformation
The science behind why you feel so different (it's your brain literally rewiring)
How matrescence affects you physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually
Why the "Perfect Mother Myth" keeps you stuck — and how to break free
Dissecting the additional burden of the 'working mother' narrative
BONUS: Partner module so they finally understand what you're going through
7-Week Positive Intelligence® Bootcamp: The Most Effective Program for Sustained Change
Scientifically-proven method used by top organizations worldwide
Daily app-based exercises + weekly facilitated group sessions
Learn to quiet your inner critic and respond from wisdom, not reactivity
Build mental fitness that applies to parenting, work, and relationships
Retail value: $995 — included in your program
Week 12-16: Creating Your Blueprint
Clarify your values, strengths, and emerging purpose
Redefine what ambition and success mean to YOU now
The Matermorphosis Family Model Canvas© — a concrete tool for designing family life on your terms
Integration with your partner (optional but powerful)
Closing ceremony: Your rite of passage into authentic motherhood
✅ Personal kick-off call with Babette (60 minutes)
✅ 11 live group sessions with replays available
✅ Lifetime access to all materials and updates
✅ Private learning platform designed for busy mothers
✅ Integration call with Babette (1 hour)
✅ Partner education module — so they finally get it
✅ Community of ambitious mothers who understand exactly what you're going through
You have somehow arrived on this website, so your interest has been roused. You can read more about the program, the content and how it is delivered. And I would encourage you to take a breath and ask yourself this question: Is this for me? You will know the answer.
✅ Your (youngest) child is between 3 months and 5 years
✅ You're not 100% the same person you were before holding your baby
✅ You feel torn between family and work — "work-life balance, really?!"
✅ The word "ambitious" used to describe you, but now you're not sure
✅ You wonder why motherhood feels so hard when you "have everything you wanted"
✅ You're questioning beliefs you used to hold without question
✅ You're unsure if your current work is worth your energy
✅ You haven't had mental space to think about what else is possible
✅ You're ready to face some discomfort for real change
❌ You REALLY can't commit 2-3 hours per week for 16 weeks (know that it takes some effort to organize this for everyone!)
❌ You went "back" to your old self after becoming a mother and love it there
❌ You're doing work you love 99% of the time
❌ You're looking for parenting tips or advice on how to be a "better mother"
❌ You want information but don't want to change behavior
❌ You're not willing to face discomfort
❌ You have a strong dislike for group programs (but please, read the FAQ about why this is a group program!)
Laura - Mom of 2 and Director at ING BANK
Participant of Mother on MY Terms
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The first few years after birth are an optimal window for transformation:
Neuroplasticity Peak: Your brain is more changeable in the 3 years post-birth than any time since adolescence — especially the social areas that govern relationships with yourself and others.
Map vs. No Map: Part of the exhaustion comes from navigating this monumental change without understanding what's happening. With the map of Matrescence, you save tremendous mental energy.
Foundation Setting: This is when you lay the foundation for your family life. Much easier to build authentically from the start than overhaul everything later.
This is all that's included:
Core 16-Week Renaissance Journey
Positive Intelligence® 6-Week Bootcamp
11 Live Group Sessions with Expert Facilitation
Personal Kick-off & Integration Calls with Babette (2x 60 mins)
Partner Education Module
Lifetime Access to All Materials & Updates
Private Learning Platform & Community
After your personal intake call with Babette, if the program doesn't feel right for you, you'll receive a full refund. No questions asked.
Limited to a small, intimate group per cohort for maximum transformation and connection.
Fully subsidized scholarships available — see FAQ for application details.
For individuals without a registered business
Payment in 3 terms available
For freelancers / people with registered businesses (ZZP, BV etc)
For corporate employees with development budget
Please refer to this page for information to share with your manager/HR
The next cohort starts September 2025
Join the waitlist now to secure your spot and receive an exclusive early-bird discount.
Don't waste another month stuck between who you were and who you're becoming.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
I'm telling people that are pregnant now: there is 2 things you need. You don't need the fancy stroller. You need a doula and this course. I wish I knew about that 3 years ago. If my cousin would get pregnant, I would gift her this course. That’s how valuable it is. - Eveline, mom of 1
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This transformational journey is 100% online. You will get access to a learning platform (also available as an app) that includes all content, reflection guides and has the live webinars integrated (using zoom). For Module 2, we will also leverage and award winning app for the Positive Intelligence program.
All content is available in English. The live sessions will be in English and or Dutch, depending on the group. It will be clearly marked whether the upcoming journey will have a Dutch group option for live calls.
The time commitment for this journey is 2 hours per week for watching content and engaging with the reflection exercises + 1 hour of live sessions on zoom (3 in module one, 6 in module two, 2 in module three) Replays of live calls will be available. If you cannot make this time investment, I would strongly suggest to wait for a next round of the journey.
If you struggle with time, please know that all moms do. And that is part of the problem of why we often stay stuck. I want to invite you to see where you could ask for help to make this time available to you. Can your partner step in for 2 hours of 'kid duty'? Can you spend one of your lunch breaks at work engaging with the content (can also listen to it whilst on a walk)? Arranging this time for yourself is your first step towards change.
I'm worried about the group format — isn't this too vulnerable to share with strangers?
The program is intentionally designed as a group program, because we know that hearing from other moms in a similar situation deepens the learning and transformation potential. You might even find a new mom friend!
A recent participant shared the following:
"I found being in a group a bit scary in the beginning but it turned out to be really nice. It is actually valuable to open yourself up in a group and learn from other women and their experiences."
That's actually great. Because you will have a little bit more space to reflect when you're not bogged down in the day to day aspects of your life.
This course is not work, you could see it as me-time, doing something that is important to YOU! And I think we all need some me time when we are on holidays, so this is a great excuse ;) And when you really cannot make it for a session or 2, that's ok, replays from all live sessions are available!
The start date of the spring 2026 cohort will be the 8th of January. Replays of the live sessions will be available. Live sessions will be at 8pm CEST on Mondays.
But I'm on holiday during a different part of the course! That's actually great. Because you will have a little bit more space to reflect when you're not bogged down in the day to day aspects of your life. This course is not work, it is part of me-time. And I think we all need some me time when we are on holidays ;)
First off, you will have lifetime access to the content of this program and the community of fellow participating moms. The Positive Intelligence content is available for a whole year. So you will not lose out on content.
This journey is also a group experience. Each week, new content will be released and you're invited to interact with that content and the reflection exercises. Because the reflection exercises are in an interactive journey format, you're able to see and interact with other participants' insights (if they choose to make the response public) asynchronously, to take into account moms' unpredictable schedules. The live sessions will however be most valuable if you have interacted with the content of that week.
If something serious with prolonged impact happens in the first 2 modules of the program, you will get the option to join (one of) the next batch at no extra cost.
The plan is to have 3 cohorts per year, Autumn, end of winter and late spring. Sign up for the waitlist to stay informed about the next batch, and receive an early bird offer.
Yes, you will have lifetime access to eMErgence content and the participant community. The Positive Intelligence content and app access from module 2 is available for 1 year,
For individuals the investment for this journey is €1250,- including VAT, for freelancers (with a registered company (either ZZP or BV) the price is €1250,- excluding VAT. For corporate employees using their Development budget, the price is €1500 excluding VAT.
If you would like to join eMErgence but do not have the funds available, you can apply for a scholarship. ~10% of the spots in the program are made available for free. This means that if we have 10 paying participants, 1 subsidized spot is available, if we have 18 (never more than 18 participants in one batch) we will have 2 subsidized spots available. The amount of spots available per batch will therefore only be known shortly before the program commences. If you have an interest in joining, please fill out this form. I will process the scholarship applications on a first come first serve basis, given that you qualify for the program.