The Established Home mother-daughter designers launch children’s book to help families navigate life transitions

A West Michigan mother-daughter team known for designing homes is collaborating on a project close to their hearts: helping families feel at home, especially during times of change.

Jean Stoffer of The Established Home and her daughter, Grace Start, have written a children’s book to help families navigate transitions like moving. They’ll host a storytime with Grace at Stoffer Home on May 1 at 10 a.m.; tickets are required.

Their picture book, We Are Home When We’re Together: Trusting God Through Life’s Changes, is geared for children ages 4 to 8. It looks at the emotional challenges that come with relocation and other life shifts, while offering practical and faith-centered strategies for coping.

They’ll host a storytime with Grace at Stoffer Home on May 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets are required.

Start, who lives in Holland with her husband, Ted, and their four children, says the idea grew out of her own family’s experience.

“Moving has been a big part of our lives,” says Start. “Moving brings up a lot of emotions, excitement, and anxiety. We have felt these emotions, and our children have, too. We’ve discovered God’s faithfulness during these times, and we’ve experienced His comforting presence as we move to the new places He has for us. No matter where your family journeys, remember that we are home when we’re together.”

The book, illustrated by Megan Lindsey, offers concrete ideas to help ease adjustment, such as involving children in setting up a new space and preserving meaningful traditions.

Start didn’t plan to follow her mother’s career path, which started with a kitchen-focused design firm in the Chicago suburbs. After college, Start and her husband began renovating their home in Michigan, while around the same time, Stoffer moved to Grand Rapids, close to where three of her children and 13 grandchildren lived.  Soon after, Start began working with her mother on projects, and the business shifted into broader interior design work. 

Their book reflects the same philosophy that guides their design work: connection, not location, defines home.

“No matter where your family journeys, remember that we are home when we’re together,” Stoffer says.

The Lakeshore caught up with Start to talk about the book’s message of home and belonging, and how she applies it to raising her family. 

The  Lakeshore: How has living in Ottawa County shaped your new book, We Are Home When We’re Together, and which community do you and your family call home?

Grace Start: In 2023, we moved from downtown Zeeland to the north side of Holland. This move is what sparked the idea for the book. Ottawa County has so many diverse places to live, so while our move was in the same county, it was quite the change from in-town to rural. 

TL: Your story is inspired by moving with your own family. What were some of the most meaningful or challenging moments that influenced the message of this book?

GS: The book was written to encourage children through change. My husband and I have moved with our children three times in the past 10 years, and we are gearing up for another move as I write. Our hope is that our children know that home is not just a place. Home is when we are together. Our other hope for this book is that children (and the parent or caregiver, too!) are encouraged to trust God through life’s changes. 

TL: Many families along the Lakeshore have deep ties to their communities. What advice would you give parents who are helping their children navigate the emotions of leaving a familiar place?

GS: Familiarity is something that kids thrive on. Moving disrupts familiarity, especially if you are moving far away. As a parent, I try to focus on the positives. Is there anything about the place you are moving to that the kids can get excited about? Are you closer than you were to a library or park? Kids pick up on what we say, so instilling confidence by talking about the many things to be thankful for and look forward to is important. The book has a message of faith as well, which we believe is crucial to finding peace during uncertainty and change. 

TL: As both a designer and a former preschool teacher, how do you recommend involving kids in the process of turning a new house into a home?

GS: I knew this to be true before, but after having four children, I can say with certainty that each child is unique. Some are excited about moving and change, while others have a hard time. I would recommend connecting with each child one-on-one and asking them how they are feeling about the new house and the move. This can help inform you as the parent what they are worried or excited about and give you ideas as to what would make the new house feel like home to them. 

TL: Collaborating with your mom, Jean Stoffer, is such a unique experience. What did creating this book together reveal about your relationship and your shared understanding of “home”?

GS: My mom and I work together almost every day. We feel so blessed to be able to spend so much time together. We have different giftings, but a very similar perspective. Working together on a book was a new experience for us, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We traded the manuscript back and forth first, and then worked together reviewing illustrations from Megan Lindsey. The team at HarperCollins was great during the process as well. Something that surprised us was the amount of time it took to get from initial manuscript to completed book. It was over two years!