Finding Purpose in Motherhood

A True Story of Finding Purpose in Motherhood & A Community Event That Raise Over $11,000 for Outdoor Education

Finding your purpose can be a lifelong journey, and it might be a trip many of us never get to take. I was certainly on a path leading in another direction. What was my purpose in life? Did I have any meaningful work? I was convinced that I had no special gift to contribute to this world until I became a mother.

STORY BY MARIAL LEISGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELSEA GODEK

Motherhood was something I never considered or saw myself pursuing. I struggled with substance abuse throughout my younger adult life, which naturally resulted in insecurity about taking responsibility for another person. My son Otto was born in December 2021, a surprise pregnancy with the most incredible man, and now husband. I remember vividly having the “Do you want children?” conversation with Tim, and we both assertively said, “No way.” We laugh about this now, because children have brought us nothing but happiness.

When Otto was around eight months old, a co-worker asked me which daycare my son was attending. Daycare? What’s daycare? This is how naive I was about parenting; I didn’t even know it was available. I quickly started making calls around Newport County and was surprised to discover admission waitlists, some as long as one year. Frustrated with the process, my husband Tim suggested homeschooling. I was homeschooled for a few years, so it didn’t seem like an unusual suggestion, and it felt like a natural choice.

The research began, and I explored all corners of the internet, reading publications, social media feeds, and online forums about homeschooled children. I came across another alternative education method: nature school, also referred to as forest school or outdoor learning. It resonated with me, and I noticed a common thread among all styles of homeschool education: the importance of building a community. Finding your people. Participating in a co-op.

There are various established homeschool organizations in Rhode Island, including ENRICH and RIGHT, but nothing on Aquidneck Island. I felt motivated to do something about this, and that is when Ocean State Kids (OSK) was born. With a background in branding, marketing, and web design, I was quickly able to get something off the ground. OSK launched its first weekly meet-up at Island Art Spot in January 2024 with 15 families participating, and over the course of this year alone, we have over 300 families on the waiting list to join, and four different group leaders on Aquidneck Island, Little Compton, Cumberland and Smithfield. It has become clear that there is a need for more outdoor education for our children.

Ocean State Kids (OSK*) is a now a registered nonprofit organization founded on the belief that nature is the ultimate classroom. Through outdoor education and nature play, we offer early childhood experiences that cater to each child’s developmental needs. We emphasize the importance of parent involvement, aiming to empower parents to become their child’s most influential teacher and advocate. Your role as a parent is crucial in nurturing a lifelong passion for learning. We have hosted outdoor programs with the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Aquidneck Community Table, Sandy Point Beach, The Monastery, and one coming this Fall at Sweet Berry Farm.

On August 24th, Town of Portsmouth Parks & Recreation, Ocean State Kids, and the Four Hearts Foundation hosted a community celebration at Sandy Point Beach, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This was a fundraiser event to benefit Ocean State Kids and the Four Hearts Foundation, two nonprofit organizations that continue to improve the community for our children – and as a community, and with the support of our local businesses, we raised over $11,000! Did I find my purpose? Did I find my meaningful work? Yes! I have redirected my creativity into the world of children, and my life has never felt more meaningful.