By Cathy Domoney
As a mother of five, a trauma-informed consultant to high-level professionals, and the founder of The Backyard Peace Project, I know firsthand what it means to hold space for healing, both at home and in the workplace, and within ourselves. For over two decades, I’ve worked intimately with parents and leaders to transform hidden trauma into clarity, power, and purpose. I’ve come to understand that peace in the world starts with peace within, and that the most radical legacy work we can do is to become the most connected version of ourselves.
That means choosing presence in the middle of the pressure. Choosing to lead not just with ambition, but with alignment. And knowing that parenting, when done consciously, is one of the most sacred and effective trauma-prevention strategies we have.
A Turning Point
My life changed after the birth of my fifth child, when I almost didn’t survive. In that moment, I knew my time here wasn’t infinite. I felt a deep calling to surrender fully to the mission within me, to help others break free from their pain and rise into their brilliance.
Soon after, my first client literally knocked on my door and refused to leave until I agreed to work with her teenage son, who had lost his will to live. Supporting his transformation was one of the most sacred and affirming experiences of my life. I knew then that I was being divinely guided, and I’ve followed that calling ever since.
A Day in My World
My days are full. I rise early and begin with quiet time, correspondence, and reading. Once the house stirs, I direct the “operation school run” for my five neurodiverse children, then prioritize my physical and mental strength with a workout and walk with the dogs.
After that, I dive into deep work with my private clients, influential leaders, high-level professionals, and change makers, who are ready to dissolve the internal barriers that are silently sabotaging their lives and legacies.
Even in the busiest seasons, I protect space for nothingness. Whether it’s a moment in nature, a nap, meditation, or journaling, this non-structured time allows inspiration to drop in. It’s often when I receive my most aligned creative downloads and next steps.
After school, our home comes alive again. We cook together, debrief from the day, prep for tomorrow, and connect before turning in early with an evening meditation. It’s not always seamless, but it is intentional.
What I Know About Connection
Our children learn from how we show up. When we model that they are worthy of our time, our full presence, our respect, and our love, we help build the foundation of their self-worth.
And let me be clear, I am by no means a perfect parent. I have made, and will continue to make, mistakes. What matters is that I make my children part of that conversation. I take ownership, apologize when needed, and invite repair. Not only does this validate their experience, it also gives them permission to be themselves; perfectly imperfect, just like the rest of us.
That vulnerability creates safety. It teaches them that they don’t need to perform or people-please to be loved. They just need to be real.
I’ve learned that the quality of our presence matters far more than the quantity. It’s the sacred, everyday moments, the ones that seem small, that build trust, connection, and emotional resilience.
I create intentional “Date Vouchers” with each of my children, one-on-one time where they choose the activity and I bring my undivided attention. Whether it’s a beach walk, ice cream date, or movie night, these moments matter.
I also invite them into daily life, folding laundry, walking the dogs, cooking dinner, which becomes the backdrop for organic, important conversations without pressure.
At bedtime, I ask for their top three highlights of the day. It’s a gentle, powerful way to understand what’s alive in their hearts.
Sunday is sacred in our home. I rarely work that day. It’s our reset. We play games, walk the dogs, and sit in the sun. We let the world slow down and simply be together.
This is what regulation looks like. And when we’re regulated, our children borrow that peace. That’s true leadership.
Leading While Parenting – and Parenting While Leading
The women I work with often ask how to balance their big work in the world with their role as mothers. My answer? Integration and boundaries.
Clear boundaries like kindness, respect, empathy, and integrity are non-negotiable in my home and in my practice. I hold my children and my clients in the same sacred space of high expectation and deep compassion.
I’ve also learned that each of my children needs something slightly different from me. They are each completely unique. While my core values remain the same, I stay flexible in my approach to meet them where they are.
And perhaps most importantly, I’ve done the inner work to meet myself. I’ve healed the parts of me that once felt unworthy, over-responsible, or invisible. That’s why I can now guide others, because I’ve walked the fire, not just studied the flames.
Redefining Success
To me, success is when our family reflects on the day and can say that we showed up with love, compassion, truth, and grace, even when nobody was watching.
In business, success is when a client who came to me burned out, disconnected, or overwhelmed leaves feeling powerful, peaceful, and profoundly free.
In life, success is being able to hold both softness and strength in the same breath.
My Message to Women Reading This
You are not selfish for needing space.
You are not failing for feeling tired.
You are not a bad mother for being ambitious.
Your children don’t need you to be perfect. They need you to be present, real, and safe to be around.
You are allowed to hold massive success and radical self-care in the same hand.
You are allowed to lead powerfully and love deeply.
You are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work in progress all at once.
This is the new model of womanhood. This is peace in motion. This is a true legacy.
