Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanne-Marie Paynel.
Hi Jeanne-Marie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I founded Your Parenting Mentor (formerly Voilà Montessori) in 2011 to support caregivers from birth through the first six years of parenthood.
My approach combines the time-tested principles of Montessori education with Positive Discipline, helping families create peaceful, joyful homes.
After many years of mentoring parents, I felt called to deepen my support by becoming a birth and postpartum doula. I began this journey by volunteering with the Hearts & Hands Volunteer Doula Program at UC San Diego, and immediately fell in love with the work.
Today, you’ll find me attending births, nurturing new parents and their babies, and leading in-person workshops throughout San Diego—all with the goal of empowering families from pregnancy through early childhood.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not smooth, but absolutely worth it.
After giving birth in both France and San Diego, I saw firsthand how inconsistent and often inadequate support for new parents can be. That contrast sparked my passion to walk alongside families from pregnancy through early childhood.
Starting my business while raising my own children came with challenges—explaining the value of Montessori at home, holding space for births while balancing family life, and carving out a path that didn’t exist yet. But each challenge deepened my commitment to this work.
My values—trust, autonomy, connection—guide everything I do. I believe when we truly support new parents, we create stronger families and more compassionate communities. That’s the future I’m working toward, one family at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Your Parenting Mentor?
Your Parenting Mentor is where parents come to feel supported—from pregnancy through the early years.
I combine my work as a birth and postpartum doula, certified Montessori guide, and Positive Discipline educator to offer families holistic, respectful support. Whether it’s preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, or setting up a child-led home, I meet families where they are—without judgment.
I’m known for bringing calm, clarity, and confidence to parents who want to raise children with intention. My podcast, The Art of Parenting, extends this mission by sharing real, honest conversations with experts and parents around the world.
Truthfully, running a digital business hasn’t always felt natural—I’m someone who thrives in person, in the room, supporting families face to face. But I’ve learned to blend both, offering workshops, mentoring, and resources locally in San Diego and virtually for those farther away.
More than anything, I want parents to know they don’t have to do it alone—and that support is not a sign of weakness, but a foundation for thriving.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
First and foremost, my husband has been my rock throughout this entire journey. From the early days of starting the business to navigating the demands of birth work and parenting, his unwavering encouragement, practical support, and belief in my vision have made all the difference.
My children have also been my greatest teachers, shaping both my parenting and the lens through which I approach this work.
Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors—especially during my Montessori training and through the Hearts & Hands Volunteer Doula Program at UC San Diego. These mentors provided me with invaluable knowledge, confidence, and guidance.
I’m continually inspired by the families I serve, who trust me with their most vulnerable moments and remind me daily why this work matters.
And of course, friends, colleagues, and fellow entrepreneurs have been essential cheerleaders, helping me navigate the challenges of building a mission-driven business—especially in a digital space that often contrasts with the in-person nature of my work.
This journey has truly been held by many hands, and I’m deeply grateful for every one of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://voilamontessori.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourparentingmentor/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-marie-paynel-ab356310/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourParentingMentor
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BMGUFJzmy5sBlx4rL14t4
Image Credits
Jenna Coy – flutter glass photography
