Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does the group cost, and what does the payment cover?
What if I already own a copy of The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal?
How do I register for the group?
What is the registration deadline?
When and Where are the monthly meetings?
Are meetings mandatory?
If I miss too many meetings, can I get a refund?
Can I bring my kids to the meetings?
What do I need to bring to meetings?
What can I expect at the meetings?
Is there homework?
"I'm shy and don't like talking in front of people. Can I still come?"
What does "Focusing on bringing more fun, creativity and adventure into mothers' lives" mean?
"Wait! Art? I'm not an artist ... "
"Who is Rachel Hobson, and why is she qualified to lead a PRG?"
What is The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal, and who is Renée Trudeau?

How much does the group cost, and what does the payment cover?
The Spring/Summer 2008 PRG with Rachel Hobson costs $150* and includes a copy of The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal, 6 monthly evening meetings, email support/reminders during the month, and any supplies needed for exercises during meetings (not including your personal journal). This works out to about $22 per month, and also covers meeting rental space, materials and facilitator's time. *returning member rate, from first session with Rachel, is $130.

What if I already own a copy of The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal?
Lucky you! You now have a second copy you can give to a friend. Share the love! :)

How do I register for the group?
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is secured by full payment. To register, please contact Rachel Hobson at rachel at notsosuburban dot com.

What is the registration deadline?
Registration for the Spring/Summer 2008 PRG Session with Rachel Hobson is Monday, January 14th. However, group size is limited to 10 participants, so early registration is encouraged.

When and Where are the monthly meetings?
The Spring/Summer 2008 PRG will start on Thursday, January 17th, and will continue to meet on the third Thursday of each month through June. The meeting dates are as follows: January 17, February 21, March 20, April 17, May 15 and June 19. We will meet at Kula Yoga Studio in Tarrytown (west central Austin) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Are meetings mandatory?
Due to the intimate nature of the group, attendance at meetings is strongly encouraged. Of course, schedule conflicts may occur, but you should not miss more than 1 or 2 meetings if at all possible. Attendance at the meetings helps build the group community and strengthen relationships, and will help you get the most from the program.

If I miss too many meetings, can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, no refunds are available. Your payment secures your spot that cannot be filled once the group has started, and helps secure our meeting space.

Can I bring my kids to the meetings?
This is a special time for YOU! :) Making the investment in yourself and giving yourself the opportunity to be out on your own will be very rewarding. Please make childcare arrangements, as childcare will not be available at meetings. Put all the meeting dates on your calendar now, and make childcare arrangements in advance.

What do I need to bring to meetings?
Most importantly: YOU! You'll also need to bring a journal and something to write with. Don't feel pressured to pick the "most perfect" journal - bring what feels right for you, and what's easy to come by. If you're looking for a specialty journal, try BookPeople or a specialty paper shop. At the same time, if you need to grab a spiral notebook from your kids' school supply stash and rip out pages to make it your own, that works! Keep it simple.

What can I expect at the meetings?
Comfort, support and fun. We'll be meeting in a beautiful, healing space, and we'll be sitting on the floor (we'll have yoga mats and cushions for comfort). We'll have time to check in with everyone and share how our month has been, we'll explore the current month's theme from The Mother's Guide, and we'll have exercises (journaling, art, etc.) to help us further explore the themes. Some work will be on your own, and other times we'll work in small pods within the group.

Is there homework?
This isn't seventh grade math class, and there are no quizzes. Occasionally, we'll have exercise recommendations between meetings, or reading suggestions, but there is no obligation. Of course, you'll get more from the program if you participate in the activities during the month, but no one's going to give you detention if you don't. And you should NEVER skip a meeting because you're worried about not having read or done "homework" beforehand. :)

"I'm shy and don't like talking in front of people. Can I still come?"
Of course! While much of our growth is rooted in personal sharing, every voice - no matter how shy or boisterous - is very welcome here. This group is supportive, nurturing and - most importantly - free of judgment.

What does "Focusing on bringing more fun, creativity and adventure into mothers' lives" mean?
While we'll closely follow The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal, we'll also be including some fun exercises and exploration on reconnecting with our "fun" pre-mom selves. Remember that fun person you used to be? Want to get back to that (or at least get a little more of that person back into your life as a mom)? This is the place for you. We'll incorporate all kinds of exercises from improv to collage to enhance the journey.

"Wait! Art? I'm not an artist ... "
That's OK - really! Remember, we are free of judgment here, and have NO interest in perfection. Delight in trying something new and having fun with other moms doing the same thing.

"Who is Rachel Hobson, and why is she qualified to lead a PRG?"
I served as program manager for Renée Trudeau & Associates in its critical developmental phase. I was active in development of the training for RTA PRG Facilitators, and was intimately involved in the beginnings of the PRG initiative. I've been a member of Renée Trudeau's Personal Renewal Group for two years. I have a passion for helping moms connect with their true selves while connecting with other moms in a similar quest. I currently run my freelance web design business, Not So Suburban Design, from my home office in southwest Austin.

What is The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal, and who is Renée Trudeau?
Published by Balanced Living Press (May 2007), The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life has received rave reviews, endorsements and support from life coaches, parent educators, teachers, therapists, ob-gyns, pediatricians and womens' empowerment experts throughout the U.S. and Canada. Women from around the world are using the Guide as a jumping-off point to begin their personal journey to a life of balance, joy, meaning and connection.

Renée Trudeau, an Austin-based, nationally-recognized career and life/balance coach, is the author of the Guide, and the founder of the Personal Renewal Groups for Mothers. She lives in south Austin with her son, Jonah, and husband, John, and is president of Renée Trudeau & Associates and Career Strategists. She is a powerful coach, and a generous mentor. For more information on the Guide and Renée Trudeau, please see www.reneetrudeau.com.