I learned...

Almost two weeks ago, I ran a workshop, Parenting in the Present Moment. It was a lunch and learn, so it was in the middle of the day. This was done to avoid the evening rush that most families feel and to reach parents at a break in their day (everyone’ needs to eat lunch or at least have a break to recharge). 24 people registered to attend and only three showed up. I did the math and that is 12.5%. And only one of the three completed the feedback survey.

Most situations provide an opportunity to learn and this one was one of these times. I learned that many people sign up for a free event with the intention of attending and then don’t for one reason or another because there is no money at stake. Many moons ago, my now ex-husband told me to sell items on a classified list serve for at least $5 to ensure the person pick-ed up the item(s). Now that I am offering the workshop again, I am charging $10 to ensure that those who register are committed to coming.

This morning I was listening to a recorded conversation on Clubhouse. Susan Taylor-King raised the question “What in my background prepared me for this job?” Ms. Taylor-King is a business coach. If one looks at my background, they may say it is disjointed. I studied archaeology (classical civilizations) in college, worked for non-profits, then went to art school and became a freelance graphic designer. Now I am a parent coach, having started out as a time management coach. Disjointed? Not at all. Of all the work I have done requires me to pay attention to detail and listen to what is needed. As a parent coach, I tell my clients the key to parenting is to listen with intent to your children. A child wants to feel heard, respected and loved and listening with intent conveys this.

I am so passionate about helping parents because of this. I want all parents to have the same relationships with their children built on love, respect, and trust that I have with my teenage daughter. In fact, my coaching is simply sharing my practices that helped me have this strong relationship with my daughter. We all know that no family is perfect, not even mine (I am divorced after all). However, making sure all families have good lines of communication, understanding and respect can lessen the imperfection. BTW, a parents’ superpowers are imperfection and authenticity.

In conclusion, I learned that I should charge a fee for my workshops, I should make it clear that my coaching in based on my own practices as a parent, and that listening with intent is the key to parenting.

If you walk away with anything from this post, I hope it is that the key to parenting is listening. In fact, this is the key to any relationship in my opinion.

To learn more about me and my work, click here.