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I am a mom, parent educator, author, speaker, TV segment host, coach, and blogger. I have a passion for helping parents better understand what's behind their children's behavior, what they can do about it, all without yelling or using constant timeouts.
Parenting is one of the most joyful and complex jobs any of us will ever hold. The range of emotions parents feel daily can go from delight to frustration to exhaustion in 2.5 seconds. After experiencing this range of emotions and second guessing myself as a parent, I decided to find a way to change the course of my parenting. I loved what I found and have helped thousands of parents remain connected and supportive, yet firm as they teach about behavior, versus repeatedly using methods that aren’t producing results.
I'm known for my unique ability to see things from a child's point of view, which brings a valuable perspective to the advice, and solutions I share. Parents say I’m supportive and approachable like an auntie yet have the knowledge and experience to guide them to the solutions they’ve been looking for.
My parenting career began with an education in parenting, early childhood development, and interpersonal dynamics. My expertise includes 4 certifications in parent education, facilitating for the Cline Fay Institute and Redirecting Children's Behavior programs, the creator of the Proactive Parenting Approach and the author of Stop Reacting and Start Responding: 108 Ways to Discipline Consciously and Become the Parent You Want To Be.
I do a monthly Proactive Parenting TV segment on Sac & Co, an ABC affiliate in Sacramento CA. I’ve appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, AM Northwest and have done numerous local and national radio, newspaper and magazine interviews, including Parenting Magazine, CNN and CNN Health. I am also a weekly blogger for Circle of Moms, AOL’s Patch, Life 360 and a frequent contributor to Ask Moxie.
“Your tips were wonderful, delivered with such warmth, wit and earthiness.”
Linda Obele, President, MOMS Club Scottsdale NW
I smile proudly when I think and speak of my two children, but that hasn’t always been the case. I’ve lived what every parent is living, a real life, parenting real children.
I had my first child when I was 21; I thought I had it all together. I yelled, screamed and punished and secretly felt awful afterwards. I had achieved my immediate goal of stopping the unwanted behavior, but at what cost? One day my 3 yr. old backed away from me, assuming I was going to spank him. I was crushed. I had replaced my beautiful child’s trust in me with fear. I never spanked again.
But now I had a problem. How was I supposed to change behavior without yelling, punishing or spanking?
I found a lot of parenting theory, but the solutions didn't seem to address real everyday life. I needed answers! What I found were good answers, but they were hard to remember when I needed them.
Then I found what I was looking for! There really was another way to talk to and correct my kids.
A way to respond, not react. A way to discuss, not yell. A way to stay connected and teach, versus hoping punishment would do all the work for me.
I wasn’t perfect; neither were my kids. But the everyday situations that came up were handled firmly and respectfully, and didn’t pull us apart as a family. I teach parenting so I can share this knowledge with everyone. That's how Proactive Parenting™ was born.
