‘Honestly, you wouldn’t be on this website or reading this Mom To Know post if Kelli Thompson didn’t exist! In 2009, Kelli woke up every night with a dream to start an online community for local moms. Kelli was 6 month pregnant, had moved to Naperville for her husband’s job, had no family in town and didn’t have one friend that had a baby or was pregnant. As Kelli described, she had a million and one questions and no one to answer them. Facebook was new to our age group and wasn’t what it was today, and she kept looking online unable to find the answer her “mom questions.” With my practice, Advanced Health of Naperville as her first sponsor, Naperville Moms Network was born! In a month, she had 100 members, in a year she had 1000 members. She was awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the Naperville Jaycees the very same month she was transferred to Austin, TX in 2011. Kelli handed over the reigns of NMN to me at that time knowing that she couldn’t run the group from that far away and not wanting the community, and its benefits, to end. It was a very difficult thing for her to do and I have done my absolute best to keep NMN, now The Branch, to Kelli’s initial mission of empowering and supporting local moms. It is hard to imagine Naperville without this community of moms or my life without Kelli’s incredible friendship! I am forever grateful to this woman, entrepreneur and mother.’ – Dr. Cathy Subber
Meet Kelli!
My name is Kelli Thompson and I live in Holly Springs, NC just outside of Raleigh. I have a nine-year-old son and six-year-old daughter.
The Branch: Did you always know you wanted to be a mom?
Kelli: I always wanted to be a mom, but I also always knew that I wanted to have meaningful work in addition to my role as mom. I am my best self-having both!
The Branch: What are the greatest joys in your life?
Kelli: As cliché as it may be, cultivating a happy home and family life has been my absolute greatest joy. All other creations feel like the cherry on top!
The Branch: What challenges have you faced?
Kelli: I lived with chronic illness for the first two years of my son’s life. My husband travels for work and even though I had intermittent help, I always felt like I was barely hanging on. Every ounce of wellness and energy I had was dedicated to my babies. Overcoming chronic illness and arriving to a state of thriving has been by far and away one of my greatest gifts. I am able to be present with my family and enjoy life with them now.
The Branch: Who has inspired you the most over the years?
Kelli: My mom. She was an incredible role model as a school teacher and loving mom. I’ve always admired her creativity and ability to connect with anyone and everyone.
The Branch: What do you like most about being a mom?
Kelli: I see my children as my teachers and my students (but mostly my teachers). I’m completely in awe of their individuality, their creativity, kindness and compassion. They inspire me and expand my awareness daily.
The Branch: What part is more difficult for you?
Kelli: Honestly, the domestic responsibilities are the hardest for me. Cooking and cleaning just aren’t my favorite aspects within the role, but offering my family love and emotional support, sign me up to rock that all day long!
The Branch: If I had one week by myself, I would go _______________ or I would do ________________.?
Kelli: I would go to somewhere like Costa Rica where I could surf, hike, go to yoga, eat fresh delicious food and write.
The Branch: What makes you the most unique as a human being?
Kelli: I’m an energy intuitive! That’s fancy for, “I can read people and their emotions really well and can help them navigate what they don’t understand so they can feel better.”
The Branch: What rules did you think you would follow as a mom that you totally break?
Kelli: I thought I would never allow my kids in the bed, but in actuality, I end up with them at some point almost every night. I know there’s a lot of judgement around that but have also found that the path of least resistance is my preference. 🙂
The Branch: What is your favorite family tradition?
Kelli: We love to travel as a family and have started a tradition of going to Mexico for a week each year. It has sort of become a home away from home for us.
The Branch: What makes you feel alive?
Kelli: Supporting someone to see their own brilliance, through the eyes of love and compassion. It’s a magical and uplifting experience every. single. time!
The Branch: If someone could describe you in one word, what would that word be?
Kelli: Loving
The Branch: How do you rate your level of “mom guilt” on a scale of 1 – 10. Explain.
Kelli: I’ve spent years shedding the mom guilt. I’ve made a conscious habit of not carrying around that unnecessary baggage. When it comes up, I address it within myself immediately. Self-compassion goes a long way, so I would say a rating of 1.
The Branch: Do you have a favorite hobby or activity that you intentionally make time for each week?
Kelli: Boxing! I had no idea how much I would love it, but I always find a way to get there 3-6 days a week. It’s fun and feels so good!
The Branch: What about yourself and your journey has surprised you the most?
Kelli: I became a mom before I thought I was ready and my husband was traveling. I have learned that I’m capable of so much more than I ever thought possible. I’ve had to lean into self-reliance, self-acceptance and compassion. And for that, I’m stronger, healthier and happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
The Branch: Any life lessons that you live by and would like to share?
Kelli: The more you can love, nurture and accept yourself, the more everyone within your reach receives the very best of you. I’m living that now and my whole household has shifted. I trust that my kiddos will easily recognize how important self-care is at every age and stage of life.
The Branch: Words of wisdom for other young or new moms?
Kelli: You have everything you need within you, whether you believe that or not. It won’t always feel easy, but if you can learn to trust and support yourself in as many ways you can think of, the answers come, and life will have a way of unfolding with more ease. Your love and your well-being alone provide for so many of their needs. Be gentle with yourself and know you were born for this mom thing!
