Founders
Jessica Groves, Founder
Laura Etter, Co-Founder
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[email protected]
In May 2006, Jessica saw a need
in Carroll County for an organized
support system and playgroup
for natural-minded parents so she founded
Natural Parenting of Carroll County (NPCC). She
asked a close friend and fellow natural birthing
and parenting mother, Laura, to assist her
with getting the group off the ground and running.
They worked together making flyers
and distributing them around Carroll County
and asking other natural mothers, natural childbirth
educators and breastfeeding groups to spread the word!
In the last year, NPCC has provided
support to nearly over 80 women. Today,
they have an active membership of 73 women
and new members join every week!
Jessica is a stay-at-home mother to her two sons,
Aidan & John Paul, and has been married to her husband,
Austin, for 5 1/2 years. Austin is a vice president
and director of commercial real estate and develops projects
like the Hunt Valley Towne Centre, The Village of Waugh
Chapel and Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole. Jessica
and Austin took Bradley Method childbirth classes
and gave birth to both of their children at the Special
Beginnings Birth Center with a midwife and doula.
Jessica continues to breastfeed her children ages 12 months
and 2, she otherwise makes their babyfood, she cosleeps
with her children, enjoys babywearing her youngest,
practices attachment parenting, enjoys using organic
products and eating organic foods, uses natural cleaning products to keep her family safe from harmful fumes and toxins, uses vitamins, herbs and supplements to obtain a healthy and balanced lifestyle and believes in a more
holistic approach to healing before using medical
procedures or medications to treat her family's illnesses.
Jessica is a certified childbirth educator teaching The
Bradley Method and offering birth doula services to her
couples. She enjoys reading and researching pregnancy,
childbirth and breastfeeding issues and is passionate
about informing women of their options during childbirth.
She loves sewing and has made baby clothes, bibs,
blankets and other items. She enjoys taking her children
to parent and me classes like Kindermusik, My Gym
and swimming lessons. She is active in several parenting
groups and breastfeeding support groups where she
spends time with her mommy friends while her children
are close by playing with other same-age pals.
Jessica and Austin are both graduates of Clemson University and big Tiger fans! They enjoy watching college and NFL football and even play in an NFL fantasy football league together. More than anything, Jessica loves her family and spending time doing any and everything with her husband and children including playing in their backyard on their swing set,
throwing frisbee and vacationing together.
at a trip to the National Zoo - September 2007
Laura is a work at home mother to her son Jacob
and is married to her husband Bill of 10 years! They are
both Towson University graduates and graphic designers
at a Baltimore ad agency for clients such as the
Baltimore Orioles, Preakness Stakes, and the Maryland
Zoo. Bill also plays keyboard and co-writes music
for his band, Mile 9. Laura and Bill took Bradley Method
childbirth classes and had a natural waterbirth
at St. Agnes Hospital with the assistance
of a midwife and doula.
Laura breastfed Jacob until he self-weaned at 18
months old. She made his babyfood, coslept during his
newborn weeks and enjoyed babywearing him in a carrier
she made herself! She practices attachment parenting
and she and her family try to eat organically and
healthily as much as possible.
Laura enjoys spending time with her family, being
outdoors, traveling, reading, and playing with her
chocolate lab Hershey. In addition, she loves doing
creative projects such as sewing, scrapbooking,
papermaking and watercolor. She spends her days
working from home and involving Jacob
in as many playdates and social activities
as her schedule will allow.
Laura also designed the NPCC logo!
at a trip to Strasburg Railroad - June 2007
NPCC's web site is intended to help parents become better informed about natural parenting, natural childbirth and natural living.
The information presented in this site gives general advice on parenting and health care.
Always consult your medical provider for your individual needs.
