Pam Fields has a passionate purpose for mentoring moms online

Pam Fields never expected to be known as “The Mom Next Door.” Yet, the title fits perfectly. As a mother of nine and grandmother of four, with another grandchild on the way, Pam has devoted decades to nurturing her family.

Now, in her 50s, she has taken on a new role of guiding younger mothers through the challenges of parenting in a fast-paced, digital world. Her journey into mentorship was anything but planned.

“It wasn’t my intention,” Pam shared. “But, I wound up here, and it’s fun.”

Living a life filled with kids, chaos and creativity, Pam’s home is a hub of activity. From canning homemade spaghetti sauce to hosting family gingerbread house competitions, her days are as full as her heart.

What sets Pam apart is her deep empathy for mothers trying to juggle it all — a struggle she knows intimately.

“I know what it’s like to have your hands full and your heart full at the same time,” Pam said.

Her passion for supporting other moms began long before she hit her 50s, but it was in her late 40s that the seeds of her current ministry began to sprout.

From dental assistant to digital mentor

Before diving into motherhood, Pam worked as a dental assistant. But, her career took a sharp turn when her first child was born. For the next several decades, she poured her energy into raising her children, homeschooling, and creating a nurturing environment at home.

Along the way, she organized homeschooling associations, mothering retreats, and community events — all while raising nine children.

By the time she was nearing 50, Pam realized her wealth of experience as a mother could serve others. Friends and younger moms began seeking her advice, saying, “You’ve raised so many kids, you should tell us what to do.” With their encouragement, Pam started a blog.

“I had to Google what a blog even was,” she laughed. “I had been too busy with my kids to immerse myself in the digital world.”

The blog eventually led to a Facebook group called Tending Fields Moms Group, where Pam began connecting with moms in need of guidance.

“When COVID hit, and moms were suddenly homeschooling, there was so much panic,” she explained. “I felt like I was living in my area of expertise with kids underfoot and homeschooling. I knew I could help.”

Diving into podcasting without a life jacket

Despite her growing digital presence, Pam never imagined starting a podcast. The idea came as a surprise when a fellow podcaster sent her a microphone, insisting she start one. Her initial reaction was disbelief.

“I told my husband, ‘There’s no way.’ But he encouraged me, saying, ‘You should do it,’” she said.

At the time, Pam barely knew how to use a computer. Her oldest son, home from college due to COVID, helped set up the technical side of things.

“He literally sat next to me, showing me which buttons to push,” Pam recalled. “Then God moved us from Oregon to Tennessee, and I had to figure out how to edit and produce episodes on my own.”

Despite the steep learning curve, Pam launched The Mom Next Door: Stories of Faith. The podcast features heartfelt interviews with women sharing their journeys of faith and motherhood. Topics range from miscarriage and special needs parenting to homeschooling and marriage.

“There’s someone out there who needs to hear what God has done in someone else’s life,” Pam explained. “Even if their circumstances are different, it reminds us of God’s power and presence.”

Building community, one story at a time

Pam has produced over 200 episodes of her podcast, and each one is a testament to the power of shared stories.

“I love the connection and community that comes from sitting down with someone and hearing their story,” she said. “It started with neighbors and friends, and it’s grown to include authors and women from all walks of life.”

The podcast has resonated deeply with listeners, who often write to share how much the stories mean to them. One woman shared how an episode about healing after abortion gave her hope and inspired her to reach out to her church for opportunities to serve.

“Messages like that keep me going,” Pam said. “It’s amazing how God uses this platform to touch lives.”

Her Facebook group is another cornerstone of her ministry. With nearly constant activity, the group provides a space for moms to share prayer requests, parenting tips and encouragement.

“I love waking up to see that someone posted a prayer request at 11 p.m., and by the time I see it, there are already 10 comments,” said Pam. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

Mentorship in the digital age

Pam believes that older women have a unique opportunity to mentor younger moms online.

“Social media gets a bad rap, but it’s where young people are. Instead of abandoning it, we should meet them there,” she said.

Through her Facebook group and Instagram account, Pam strives to be a digital mentor, offering wisdom and support to moms who feel overwhelmed and isolated.

“Young moms are absolutely open to advice,” she noted. “I often ask my group, ‘Do you have a mentor or are you winging it?’ Most of them say, ‘I’m winging it and I wish I had someone.’ They’re longing for guidance.”

Pam hopes more women over 50 will step into mentorship roles.

“The Bible calls older women to teach the younger ones,” she said. “We often doubt our ability to help because of our imperfections. But, God uses imperfect people. Our struggles can be a source of wisdom for others.”

Challenges and rewards

Pam’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Learning new technology has been one of the biggest hurdles.

“I wish I had spent more time gaining computer literacy,” she admitted. “But I’ve learned that just because you didn’t know something in the past doesn’t mean you can’t learn it now. You don’t have to be an expert to start. Just take the next step, even if it’s small.”

The rewards, however, far outweigh the challenges. For Pam, the greatest joy comes from knowing her work is making a difference.

“Getting a message from someone who says, ‘Your podcast met me where I was,’ is so encouraging,” she explained. “Seeing women connect and support each other in the Facebook group is another blessing.”

Looking ahead

As Pam continues to grow her ministry, she dreams of expanding her reach. She recently established a 501(c)(3) organization for Tending Fields and is exploring the possibility of group coaching.

“I’d love to gather moms together to share wisdom and encouragement in a more structured way,” she said. “But for now, my family comes first. This ministry is a passion project, and I’m taking it one step at a time.”

Her advice to others over 50 is simple.

“Look at your past experiences and passions. Often, your future purpose is a response to your own life,” said Pam. “Whether it’s mentoring, teaching a skill or starting a ministry, there’s always a way to share what you’ve learned.”

For Pam Fields, life after 50 is about more than just staying busy; it’s about living with purpose.

“We have so much to offer,” she said. “And there’s no greater joy than using our gifts to bless others.”

For more information

People can connect with Pam on a variety of platforms, including: