The Guilt Free Mom | How We Work

"Parent Coaching is exactly what it says...coaching. As a single parent
of teenagers, I was delighted to have an intelligent, non-judgmental
adult to bounce ideas and concerns off of, since what I needed were
clarifying conversations, not psychoanalysis. Karen, as my parent
coach, was able to help me see beyond the reaction to teenage angst,
and become more proactive using my strengths so that the potential of
alienation of my teenagers was kept to a minimum. My job and home life
is comprised of teeanagers...24 hours a day with adolescents...having
an adult to talk with was sanity. Every parent needs that unbiased
adult interaction to see situations clearly, recognize their strengths
and see the humor."
-Paula Scott, Seattle WA

resources:

www.noblemother.com

www.webmd.com

www.nickjr.com

How We Work

So, what’s it like to work with me? Am I just another parenting “expert” who gives even more advice? On this page, I’ll tell you the kind of results my clients have had working with me. I’ll also give you a sense of my guiding beliefs, my approach to helping moms and what makes me unique from other parent coaching services.

When you work with me, you can expect to have more confidence in your parenting. You’ll know that you’re on-track with raising great kids, and with being the best mom you can. You’ll also get clear on how to handle frustrating parenting situations with clarity and ease.

You will enjoy parenting more. By not feeling guilty and overwhelmed, you’ll free up more energy to be the kind of mom you were meant to be based on your unique strengths.

You will be crystal clear on how you want to parent and why. There’s nothing like clarity to bring peace of mind. By rediscovering what really matters to you and centering your parenting on that, you will make parenting decisions with confidence and ease, no matter what opinions and advice you hear.

You’ll learn one of the best-kept secrets of parenting that will liberate you from guilt: tweaking. That’s right. Taking what the “experts” say and changing it to fit your unique situation. With this skill, books, magazines and other sources of information become sources of useable ideas, not guilt-inducing mandates.

You’ll see yourself in a new, more positive light. Rather than comparing yourself to other mothers and coming up short, you will revel in how you are the perfect mother for your child(ren). This isn’t rah-rah, feel good fluff. It’s based on solid evidence: your core strengths (in other words, what makes you “rock” as a mother!) and what makes you unique.

You’ll walk away with a plan on how to make parenting decisions that works for you. So much of parenting is made up of the day-to-day decisions we must make. Sometimes it can feel like minute-to-minute! Wouldn’t it be comforting to know that, in the heat of the moment, you can trust yourself to do what’s best? That’s why I help moms create their own Mom Map™. It’s much easier to get where you’re going when you have mapped out a path and have learned what tools help you stay on-course.

My Approach

I enjoy helping moms feel great and am committed to having fun while doing it. This is evident in my in my high energy and passion! Working with me you’re likely to laugh and enjoy yourself, even in the midst of problems.

I am down-to-earth and approachable. My style is informal and casual, unless I am giving a formal talk! Working with me feels like talking with a trusted friend, with the added bonus of my professional training and my complete focus on your agenda.

I appreciate you as an individual, and customize solutions to meet YOUR needs. Your unique challenges and strengths require my creativity and willingness to think “outside the box.”

I am big on accountability—on both my and your ends. I follow through on my commitments to you and expect the same of you.

After all, we’re both in it for you!

Guiding Beliefs

I “keep it real” and value honest, straight talk about what’s keeping you up at night. I’m also honest with you and will tell you what I’m thinking. By keeping it real, we get to the heart of the matter faster, which means you feel better and see the results you want.

Laughter and fun are not optional! A playful attitude and spirit can go a long way towards reducing your stress. Parenting is serious, sacred work that becomes easier and a lot more fun when you lighten up!

Leveraging your strengths makes you a better mom. While it’s important to learn new skills and techniques to shore up your weaknesses, it’s also important to focus on what you’re naturally great at, your strengths. By leading with your strengths, you’ll get to where you want to go faster.

Moms who are willing to “go within” won’t go without. This means that your willingness to look within yourself, to dig deeply for what matters to you, will pay huge dividends. But you have to be willing to show up and do what it takes.

How I'm Unique

There are a lot of parenting coaches who just focus on telling you what to do. That can be very helpful at certain times, depending on the situation. But I believe that you are most empowered when there is a skillful combination of concrete answers and a powerful process (one that you can use over and over again) that helps you make decisions more easily and confidently.

I’ve been working with parents since 1991, in many capacities. I’ve had my finger on the pulse of what frustrates moms for a long time. I’m also a mom myself, and have been stuck in the trenches of mommy guilt. My extensive professional background combined with my personal experience (see “About Karen” for my personal story of how I came to be a parenting coach) means I know what I’m talking about. I don’t just work from theory, but also from the pain of having “been there.”

I’m fun to work with! Working on parenting issues doesn’t have to be a dry, boring experience! In fact, when you find yourself laughing and enjoying yourself more, you’ll know you’re on the right track to reaching your goals.

Now that you have a better idea of the results you can expect by working with me, and of my approach and beliefs about working with moms, next go to the “Our Services” page to learn more about the specific services and programs I offer.