Hello, everyone, it has been a super busy month, with a trip to Orlando to present at the Convention of the National Association for the Educators of Young Children (also included: a chance to see some of the grandkids!), and an added part time “day job”, subbing for a friend with a sick child. This whirlwind is likely to continue through until the holidays, and who knows after that?

Here’s a great quote about our lives, and about parenting: Life…you live it forward, but understand it backward.” (Abraham Verghese) So true about parenting!!

I got lots of great ideas for this blog at the convention, but as I resume (hopefully) regular entries I’m going to address my own journey into parent coaching and support.
I do this work because I am passionate that ALL parents/caregivers develop confidence in their ability to do this parenting life, AND to share my experience and expertise in the field of child development. I believe that if a parent or the person they entrust with the care of their child develops knowledge and confidence, the parenting journey can be JOYOUS. If it’s not, we all need to converse about where the “derailment” has occurred (thanks to Dr. Brazleton for that term!)
This ISN’T to imply that every moment of a parent’s life is supposed to be fun. If you have a friend who says that’s so for her/him, RUN AWAY!! Parenting is scary, and the more we care about our child’s future, the scarier it can be. But I’m a tai chi teacher, too, and for every yin there is yang, and the opposite of fear might be confidence. Not that we’re doing it right every time, but that we care passionately about our child’s well being, and that we want our child’s best interrest to be served. I firmly believe that.

Here’s to finding the joy in the fleeting moments of parenting. Cuz, folks, they ARE fleeting!

I’m reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.