I’m not a perfect parent

Just because I’m a Certified Parent Educator does not mean that I consider myself to be a perfect parent. I’m a work in progress.

When my oldest son was 3 years old, I took the 5-week course on Redirecting Children’s Behavior (RCB) for the first time. My ex-husband took it as well – in fact, it was his idea. Our goal was to parent consistently even though we were parenting separately.

My son is now seven years old and with a stepdad and a new baby brother, we’re all having to adjust to our new situation and we’re constantly learning from one another in the process.

Recently, I convinced my husband (a first time parent) to take the 5-week course with me. He was able to attend the first two sessions before returning to work and I am currently over half way through the course. I’ll take it again when our boys get older, just to keep everything fresh and to take it all in from a new perspective since they’ll be at different developmental stages before I realize it.

I may not have all of the answers when it comes to my own children, but I also know that it’s much more difficult to come up with parenting solutions when it’s your own kids we’re talking about. We all have parenting challenges that keep us up at night or that our conversations naturally gravitate to. Our children are not perfect and neither are we.

Parenting is a job that never ends. Each day brings new challenges and every child is different. What works for one might not work for another and what worked today may not work tomorrow. Our kids keep us on our toes and I couldn’t imagine doing this job without the tools that I now have access to because of this RCB course.

I teach the 5-week course on Redirecting Children’s Behavior as well as one-hour parenting workshops that are more specific in nature. I work one-on-one with parents since the hardest part about taking this course is finding the time to do it. I’m flexible so we’ll set up a schedule that suits their needs. Sometimes I meet with them at night, others can work with me only every other weekend or during the day, while their kids are napping.

Since I was a single mom for most of my parenting career, my main focus is in working with other single parents to help them through the transition of separation or divorce and to help guide their child or children through the process as well.

Teaching and coaching parents reminds me what it is that I need to work on to be a better parent.

If you have a parenting challenge that you need help with, reach out and ask for support. Seek out someone who’s been there, send me an email or pick up the phone. That’s what I’m here for.

Lesson learned: I’m never done learning.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

11 Step Program for Parents-to-Be

I have been discovering many great Moms who Twitter since joining this amazing group of women a few weeks back. Just yesterday, I found this hilarious post from Real Tech Mom and just had to share. Check out her blog and the 11 Step Program for to Complete Before Having Kids.

For many of us, we’ve found out – through hands on learning – what it truly is like to be a parent. As funny – and true – as this list is, I don’t think anyone is ever really prepared for the changes and challenges that becoming a parent brings.

I teach one hour parenting workshops and a 15-hour course on Redirecting Children’s Behavior and am amazed at all of the new and expecting parents who are eager to gain some tools and techniques to use with their children when the time comes.

Classes are scheduled in La Mesa at Java Mama and I’m pleased to announce that there will be additional workshops held in North County as well, at the Babies in Bloom boutique on the border of Oceanside and Vista.

Check out the class schedule or calendar of events for more information. I am also able to cater courses and workshops for your mom’s group, PTA or at your place of employment. Contact me to set up a customized program that fits your needs and schedule.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Peace Begins in the Home

I taught a class last night on Temperament. Actually, no one showed up so I didn’t actually teach but the course was scheduled and I was there.

At Java Mama, where the class was to be held, a mom asked me what I was teaching. She commented that she should take the course when her daughter was older. “She’s only fifteen months,” was her response.

I gave her my card and mentioned that the class was appropriate for parents with children her daughter’s age. What’s interesting about her comment was that I have a feeling that most other parents feel the same way.

Waiting until your child is older sounds like a reasonable statement to make but when you’re talking about days that go by so quickly, parents don’t realize that they need additional support until it’s much too late and they’re stressed, frustrated and no longer enjoying the time they have with their little ones.

Now, with all due respect, I have a feeling that the woman I met was very well educated and will most likely head to my website, perhaps even read this post and follow up with me in regards to learning more about the services I provide.

I know nothing about the parents I meet, other than those I’m friends with or whose children are friends with my son. I judge no one and, because of my experience, I can honestly say that parenting is no easy task. There are many challenges that I face on a daily basis and I’m fairly confident that the average parent would agree.

I took parenting classes nearly two years ago when my husband and I were in the separation stage and learning to work together to parent in separate homes. I admit, there are many more issues in a situation like ours, but many couples who parent in the same home report having similar issues as far as trying to be consistent, maintain a routine and still have fun with their children as well as with one another.

I look forward to meeting new people and I am just as eager to help others who look to me for suggestions, advice, and support. All I can offer is my experience and the knowledge I’ve gained over the last four and a half years as a parent.

When my son was still a baby, my friends and family members who were new parents would often call me to ask my advice. When did I suddenly become an expert? I used to ask myself. Slowly, over time, I realized that none of us are experts.

We’re all learning – and making things up – as we go along. Experience certainly counts for something but the more people we talk to – the more ideas we gather – the better off our families will be.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Happy Hour – Summer Edition

I’m pleased to announce the upcoming one-hour workshops offered this summer at Babies in Bloom, located in Vista, California.

Especially considering that most of the clientèle to this boutique are new or expectant parents, I’m excited to teach fresh parents skills and techniques to use for years to come.

HAPPY HEALTHY HIP PARENTING HAPPY HOUR
As a Certified Parent Educator through the International Network for Children and Families, I will be offering the following one-hour workshops:

Saturday, July 26th
11:00 am

HOW TO HANDLE CHILDREN’S FEELINGS
Participants will be able to learn the difference between feeling-stoppers and feeling-encouragers and how to work with children’s feelings in each developmental stage.

Saturday, August 9th
11:00 am

TEMPERAMENT
Learn to identify 9 temperaments that can cause behavior challenges. Easy to use skills are taught to manage them.

Enroll today! Class sizes are limited.
*Enrollment is required for each workshop.
$25 per person; $40 per couple.
ASK ABOUT OUR DISCOUNT FOR NEW OR EXPECTANT PARENTS!

Please contact Happy Healthy Hip Parenting for more information or to enroll.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Thoughts After Visiting Dad’s House

I’m a single, working mom, but I’m one of the lucky ones. My son’s father is equally involved and just as equally interested in his son’s education, etc.

When people hear that I’m a single mom, they typically say something like, “I don’t know how you do it on your own.” Well, let me be the first to tell you that there is no way in hell that I could’ve gotten this far on my own.

Even though my parents and extended family and friends are thousands of miles away, they’ve been an amazing support system for me. I’ve also created a wonderful commUNITY here in the last several years that is made up of dozens of moms and dads (single or otherwise). And yes, my former husband has been a big help, too.

When we got married, we both knew that we wanted children. In fact, we were so certain that we wanted a child that we got married to ensure that it would happen. You know, “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage.”

After a few years together, we discovered that we are the best parents we can possibly be to our son when we’re not living together.

Over at Dad’s House, I would imagine that he’s just as involved in his children’s life as my former husband is. We are on a 2-3-2 schedule (if anyone is interested or knows what that even means) but Dad steps up and has our son during the times I’m gone on business (quite often).

When I started my company and began to narrow my focus on what I would be specializing in as a Certified Parent Educator, my first thought was wanting to work with single parents. That focus then changed to working with any and all parents since I want to help anyone who is willing to sit down and work on being a better mom or dad than they already are.

I can’t imagine having to be a full-time mom to my son without his dad in the picture. We’re not all in the same house any more, and it’s often times quite frustrating, but the three of us will always be a family. And family will always come first.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Redirecting Children’s Behavior

I’m so excited to announce the first Redirecting Children’s Behavior Parenting Retreat that I’m hosting this August at the La Jolla Marriott. More information can be found on the Happy Healthy Hip Parenting site.

Usually, this Practical Parenting Program is scheduled for three hours an evening over five weeks, but we are offering this SAME COURSE in a weekend format!

Participants will practice hands-on techniques through role-playing and group interaction. Not only will you take home these new skills and ideas, but you will also go back feeling refreshed after your weekend away. Come, relax and take a break, while still focusing on the family!

Read about one RCB graduate’s experience with this course!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home