Marie de Wavrin
Marie de Wavrin is a seeker of wholeness at the intersection of body, mind, and spirit.
With a background in healthcare, she is passionate about helping others embrace intentional living as a path of joy. She believes that daily lifestyle practices—like nourishing food, movement, time in nature, prayer, journaling, and slowing down—are powerful tools for healing and clarity.
Marie is not an expert, but an active learner, continually experimenting and discerning what works in her own life. She believes that true transformation happens step by step, and that each person must find their own authentic way.
Originally from France, Marie lives in Atlanta with her husband and their four children.
She is a parishioner at the Cathedral of Christ the King and finds deep inspiration in Jesuit spirituality.
Marie’s Best of Summer Mom Tips
1. Take Care of Everyone’s Needs—including Your Own
Holidays should not mean total self-sacrifice. When parents ignore their own needs, they become irritable and resentful. Advocate—calmly—for what keeps you grounded (a nap, quiet time, movement, journaling…), even if it inconveniences others. A parent who feels well makes the whole trip better for everyone. Personally, this is a major struggle for me: I’m great at burning myself out and then suddenly hating everyone. I am progressing with baby steps.
2. Instill a Culture of Gratitude in the Family
Not everyone’s wishes can be met. Parents may feel frustrated about missing that museum or skipping a long hike. Kids can sulk for hours over an ice cream shortage, or obsess over who got more candies or who held Mom’s hand the longest. Expectations run high, and disappointment can sour the mood quickly. Build in daily “gratitude moments”—each person thanks someone else in the family or highlights the many things they appreciated. It resets the tone and builds connection.
3. Keep Everyone Fed, Hydrated, and Rested
Most meltdowns are preventable with snacks, water, and rest. Stick as much as possible to regular sleep and meal rhythms. Bring comfort items and quick refueling options. And when your kids spiral after skipping lunch or naptime, don’t blame them—acknowledge the challenge, and even praise them for holding it together as long as they did under tough conditions.
4. See Mistakes as Part of the Adventure
When things go wrong—and they will—it doesn’t mean the day is ruined. Debrief as a family: ask your kids how they experienced the moment, and reflect on your own reactions. Were people overtired? Was the plan too ambitious? Use those lessons to adjust future days. Every misstep is useful feedback. For example, we’ve learned to avoid bunk beds (instant fight for kids and broken-neck paranoia for Mom) and only book places within walking distance of a playground (lifesaving).
5. Keep Love Tanks Full—with Meaningful One-on-One Moments
I used to assume that spending the whole day together was enough to fill my kids’ emotional cups—and was baffled when they still fought over my attention. A psychologist recently helped reframe this: it’s not about quantity of time, but about each child feeling something special and personal with you, even for just a few minutes a day. With my daughter it is self-care time (hair brushing, cream, massage), with my little one long hugs; I am still struggling to find the right approach for my twin boys. The 5 love languages by Gary Chapman are also a usefull checklist (Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service, Physical Touch).