It has been my experience that parenting is the hardest job there is! I know that is also true of the parents I work with and others I talk with in the community. I am always reminded that any other job we have provides us with training, support, and often a mentor to help us learn the ropes, figure out what to do, and how to handle tricky situations.
But we don’t get that as parents! Perhaps you took a childbirth class while you were pregnant and prepared for the birth. But how many of you were offered a class on newborn baby behavior or how to cope with the transition into parenthood? We do not think to train for parenthood and even though we all agree that it is the most important job any of us will ever do, our culture does not encourage orientation for parents, although we would all benefit from it. Instead we learn on the job - baptism by fire!
So we do the best we can and we get a lot of help from those around us, even if it is unsolicited. (Raise your hand if your mother-in-law has offered you parenting advice?) New parents seek advice from others and there are countless parenting books available, but how do you separate the good advice from the bad? And how do you find time to read all those books? Or perhaps you have already read the books but struggle with putting the ideas into practice?
This is where I come in. I am a parenting coach who has the education, experience, and knowledge to be that mentor to you as you navigate the unpredictable waters of parenting. With my background in education, 20 years of working with children and families, and my graduate degree in social work, I have taken the classes, read the books, and have the evidence-based education to apply to your family. As a social worker and certified Peaceful Parenting Coach, I have the insight, strength, and hope to share from not only my own family but also others I have worked with thus far.
Many parents struggle and eventually come to me for help when they feel like they are at the end of their rope. Part of why they wait so long is because they are not quite sure what having a parenting coach might be like. Coaching is a little like therapy but much more informal. We will work together to help you meet your parenting goals in a way that works for and respects each member of your family. I give you the opportunity to talk through your challenges, and then I use my knowledge, training, and experience to put together a plan that addresses your concerns and helps you meet your goals. We will talk periodically to check your progress, and adjust the plan as needed.
Some of the areas that parents seek coaching in can include: bedtime, sleep, meals, meltdowns, aggression, discipline, sibling rivalry, and even just getting out of the house in the morning. Coaching will provide you with an opportunity to share what is going on in your family, your joys as well as your struggles, and you will walk away feeling truly heard and with a step-by-step guide of how to solve reoccurring issues.
Just this week, I received an email from a mom who said, “As with every time we've seen you and learned from you, [my husband and I] had some great discussion afterwards and felt more confident going forward with the tools you shared with us. We are so thankful to have you as a resource and guide. You really have opened our eyes so much!” You can read more testimonials and feedback on my website or the reviews section of my Facebook Page.
There is nothing more important - and nothing more difficult - than parenting. All parents want to do the right thing for their family. You are the expert on your children and with my expertise, we can work together to overcome any challenge you are facing. We all need support and you deserve the best tools to embark on your parenting journey! We look forward to hearing from you.
