Hi, I’m Melissa—mom of two, founder of 15 Summers.
Since my first pregnancy, we’ve lived in four countries and are now raising our family in Portugal. Like many parents raising kids far from extended family, we’ve had to figure out a lot on our own.
But one thing made a huge difference:
Support. Early On.
Parent coaching helped us:
- Get on the same page as a couple
- Try new tools without judgment
- Bring more calm, connection, and clarity into our home
It didn’t fix everything. But it helped us focus on what matters—and handle the tough moments with more confidence.
*Samantha Pugh was our first coach and is now part of 15 Summers - check her out here!
Why I Started 15 Summers
Professionally, I’ve spent over 15 years working in global health and behavior change, mostly in countries across Africa. My work focused on designing programs that help people make meaningful changes in their lives, often in environments where support is limited or hard to access.
That experience taught me that:
Lasting change doesn’t come from perfect solutions—it comes from feeling seen, supported, and not alone.
It’s what inspired me to build 15 Summers: a space where parents can find grounded, compassionate support before things feel urgent, and especially when they do.
What the Name Means
You only get about 15 summers with your kids before they’re grown.
That’s not meant to create pressure. It’s a reminder that connection is built in the small, everyday moments. When we invest in our emotional health as a family, we’re building something that lasts far beyond childhood.
If you're here... you're already doing something right.
I hope you find a coach who feels like the right fit—and that your conversations lead to more clarity, connection, and calm in your everyday life.
Explore our coaches or see how it works. We’re so glad you’re here.