From Cookies to Community: Lessons of a Mother-Educator

The MotherHood: Vulnerable Stories from Powerful Mothers

From Cookies to Community: Lessons of a Mother-Educator

Written by Dr. Christiane Schroeter

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, the kind of day that offered a small pause in the nonstop rhythm of life. I sat down to catch up on emails, relishing the calm before another busy week began. Among the messages, one from the university president stood out. Its subject line sent a chill through me. I opened it, bracing myself, and read the devastating news. A student from my marketing class had passed away the night before.

Time seemed to stop. I read the name again and again, struggling to absorb the reality. This wasn’t just a name in an email. It was someone whose dreams I had encouraged and whose progress I had watched throughout the semester. Somewhere, parents were grieving a loss I could not imagine. The weight of their grief hit me deeply.

I needed to hold my daughters, to feel their presence, and remind myself they were safe. I found them in the living room, immersed in their weekend activities. My eldest was curled up with a book, and my youngest was building a Lego masterpiece on the floor. Without saying a word, I pulled them close. At first, they were confused. I rarely interrupted their play so suddenly. Yet as I held them, their arms instinctively wrapped around me, sensing something was wrong. When I explained what had happened, we sat together in a quiet circle. We talked about the fragility of life and the beauty of the connections we build. The weight of loss sat with us, but so did the gratitude of having one another.

That moment captured what motherhood means to me. It is the instinct to nurture, to comfort, and to share in the joys and sorrows of those we care for. Motherhood has given me a deeper understanding of how to guide and support others. My daughters, the students I teach, and the professionals I coach have all shaped my approach.

Since 2006, I have been a college professor teaching marketing, innovation, and entrepreneurship. I am also a business and wellness coach, empowering female entrepreneurs to build the businesses of their dreams without the stress and overwhelm. Both roles allow me to guide others toward their goals while creating a sense of connection and possibility.

As a mother, I strive to be a role model for my daughters, showing them that resilience, kindness, and hard work are not just ideals but values we live by daily. I encourage them to take risks, knowing that growth often comes through setbacks. Around our dinner table, we talk about the highs and lows of each day. “What was your favorite moment?” I ask. Then I follow up with, “What didn’t go as planned?” These questions have become a nightly ritual, teaching my daughters that failure is not an end but a step forward. They are learning that growth comes not from avoiding mistakes but from facing challenges head-on and finding their way through.

This philosophy also forms the foundation of how I approach teaching and coaching. In my role as a coach, I often meet people who are at a crossroads. They dream of building a business or pursuing a new career, yet fear paralyzes them. They wait for the perfect moment, the right time, or ideal circumstances. That moment rarely arrives, because some day is not a date on the calendar. The hesitation often stems from a fear of the unknown- will they fail, or will they succeed beyond what they can imagine? Winning is not comfortable. It requires stepping into discomfort, pushing through fear, and starting before you feel ready.

My coaching focuses on breaking down those overwhelming dreams into manageable actions. Through my Petite Practice™ framework, I guide female entrepreneurs to take small, intentional steps that lead to big results. Sometimes the most important progress begins with a single phone call, a brainstorming session, or revisiting an abandoned idea. Just as I encourage my students to experiment with new ideas and take risks, I help my clients embrace the mindset that progress matters far more than perfection. Failure to start is the reason you will never reach your dreams, and my goal is to help them start today.

My students often wrestle with similar doubts. They assume starting a business or pursuing innovation is something reserved for “someday”- a mythical time when they’ll feel more experienced or ready. I remind them there is no perfect time to start. Every journey begins with the courage to take the first step. Building something new requires trusting that momentum will follow as long as you are willing to act.

This approach is something I live by in my own life. As a mother, educator, and coach, I’ve learned that the best way to inspire others is by modeling the behavior you wish to see. Progress does not have to be grand or dramatic to be meaningful. My Petite Practice™ concept reflects this belief: small, purposeful actions can create lasting change.

This principle is also reflected in how I use food to create moments of connection. My research on food culture has explored how shared meals shape relationships and habits. I’ve embraced this in my own family by making dinner a cornerstone of our routine. Family dinners are sacred in our home. They are not just about nourishment but about connection- reconnecting after busy days, laughing about silly moments, or comforting one another after disappointments. Those moments around the table remind me that growth is not about reaching a final destination but about the ongoing journey we share with those around us.

In the classroom, I create similar spaces of connection. At the end of every semester, I bake 150 chocolate chip cookies and bring them to class. What started as a simple gesture quickly became a cherished tradition. The cookies create a sense of celebration and belonging. They remind students that learning is not just about tests and grades but about the community we build along the way.

For many of my students, the cookies have come to symbolize more than comfort. They represent thoughtfulness, care, and a reminder that someone believes in them. A cookie is small but purposeful. It is a tangible example of the Petite Practice™ philosophy in action: practical, powerful, and purposeful.

I think of students like Taylor, who once trembled at the thought of public speaking. During her first presentation in class, her hands shook as she held her notes, her voice barely audible. We worked on building her confidence one step at a time. I encouraged her to focus on her strengths, reminding her that speaking in front of others is a skill anyone can develop. By the end of the semester, she volunteered to lead a group discussion. Years later, she became a teacher herself, leading her own classroom with confidence and inspiring the next generation of students.

Then there was Emma, who overcame personal hurdles and worked tirelessly to secure an internship that transformed her future. Today, she is a business consultant who uses her strategic expertise to help organizations grow and thrive. Her ability to stay focused on her goals and push through challenges continues to inspire me.

And Maria, whose reserved nature initially kept her quiet during class discussions. Maria had an exceptional ability to think deeply, though she struggled to share her insights. I encouraged her to step into leadership roles during group projects, and slowly, her confidence grew. By the end of the semester, Maria had blossomed into a skilled communicator, presenting her ideas with clarity and poise. Today, she uses those same skills to lead strategic initiatives at her organization, empowering teams to succeed.

At the celebration of life for my student, I shared these values with their family and friends. I talked about the bonds we had formed in our classroom and how every member of our small community had been touched by their presence. It was a reminder of the lasting impact we have on each other’s lives.

When I think about what motherhood has taught me, I realize it goes beyond guiding my own daughters. It has shaped the way I approach every relationship, every classroom, and every coaching session. It has taught me to lead with empathy, to see the person behind the role, and to create spaces where everyone feels valued. Supporting a student through their first public speech, guiding someone through the fear of starting a business, or offering a plate of cookies as a gesture of kindness can create connections that shape the future in ways we may never fully see.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a Business and Wellness Coach, Professor, and author. She created Petite Practice™ to help professionals achieve success through small, intentional actions. As the host of the globally ranked Top 1% podcast Happy Healthy Hustle, she empowers entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses without stress or burnout.

You can find her at: https://hellohappynest.com/