Parenting is one of those topics that we all feel very strongly about. I mean, our kids and their well-being is at stake, right? So, of course we’re going to be opinionated about what’s OK and what’s not OK. The problem with this is that it alienates other moms who, after all, are just like…
(This post is dedicated to my dad, Bernard B. Birger for always using big words with me and describing complex concepts in great detail, even when I was only three years old.) Wow, Julia is absorbing language like a sponge on steroids. The other day I casually mentioned to my husband that a friend of…
Everyone says meal planning saves money, and they’re right, it does. But when I began planning meals, I hated it. Yes, I saved a significant amount of both time and money, but it was such a chore. Planning all sorts of different meals for days, weeks, even a month in advance just seemed so daunting….
I have some pretty incredible people in my life. My friends and family members are constantly inspiring, encouraging, and helping me with all sorts of things. And each of them has such unique and wonderful gifts. But here’s the thing, as far as I can tell, none of us is able to see our unique…
I’ve been doing some online research into discipline and wow, there’s a lot of misleading and just plain ineffective information out there! Just yesterday I saw an article that was actually quite disturbing to me. The article suggested a lot of punitive discipline but the one that really struck me was the idea of creating…
In life there are big transitions, little transitions and everything in between but there’s one thing you can be sure of, there WILL be transitions. Shifting from one thing to the next is challenging for children and adults alike, especially when the transition wasn’t their idea. I’m in the midst of a big transition right…
Wow, I’m feeling some anxiety after just writing the title to this article. We have such a strange relationship to sex, here in the U.S. I mean, we’re parents, right? So obviously we’ve HAD sex in the past, yet now that we have children, there is such a social stigma to talking about sex around…
A friend and I were talking the other day and she mentioned that one of her biggest challenges with providing activities for her children is knowing where they’re at developmentally. I can relate. Figuring out which activities will be engaging and challenging without being frustrating for kids can be a confusing undertaking. So here are…
I’m writing this post while I am listening in to an online webinar. Why am I multitasking? Well the content is really interesting, but one of the hosts just had an experience fumbling around trying to figure out how to run the webinar and she apologized to us by saying “Oh I’m so retarded. ”…
I’m not sure exactly what’s going on here, but every time I breastfeed my 16 month old in public I feel like some kind of breastfeeding activist. I think it’s because I so rarely (almost never) see other moms out doing the same thing. I almost always get someone’s attention when I plop down on…
Shelly gave me three tips on handling my son's middle of the night tantrums. I put them to test that very night and Voila! It was MAGIC! My son woke up and I changed the way I interacted with him and he went back to sleep with no problem and was happy about it. (!!!) The energy was completely different. No screaming fits. No kicking and throwing himself around. It happened again today during his nap time. I soothed him right away and he went back to sound sleeping. I am SOLD! Shelly just changed all of our lives. Not only do we get more sleep at night, but we are all a lot happier on top of it. Thank you so much Shelly. Your knowledge is golden.
-- Catherine Just
Mother of 2 1/2 yr old Max
When I have come to Shelly for help as a coaching client, I have admired both her wealth of knowledge, and the way she dispenses it. She has a way of seeing into the heart of a situation, and providing just the right mix of support and insight at the right time. I recommend Shelly’s parent coaching wholeheartedly.
-- Jill Nagle
Shelly is my #1 go-to person when I am struggling as a parent. Her kind & generous listening, combined with a wealth (and years) of experience & training with all ages & in various styles make her suggestions down-to-earth & practical. That she is a parent herself, now, has me trust her even more. I always leave my conversations with Shelly feeling better!
-- Kendra Cunov, Yoga Teacher
& Mom to 2-year-old Trent
I really appreciate the grounded, tangible spin Shelly puts on the challenges I experience in my relationship with my son. I must say that the last week with Sky was EXCELLENT! I solicited his help a lot -- for help around the house and for help in connecting with him. I found him sharing all kinds of things with me throughout the week, when I least expected it, he was opening up with little stories to share. I loved this and my time with him. Thank You Shelly! It helps so much to be in dialogue with someone who so obviously cares and has practical, tangible tools!
-- Dana Boyd Renault
Shelly is an enthusiastic and experienced resource for families with children. She is sensitive and respectful, providing both theoretical and situational knowledge to address the needs of her clients. She presents a wealth of parenting concepts in a friendly and supportive fashion with lots of real life examples that make it easy to turn concepts into action. She works well in individual and group settings and has empowered our family by expanding our toolbox of options and solutions. -–Aaron Kadoch
Shelly is the goddess of connection and communication. She has helped me learn to approach my kids with lightness and humor even in challenging moments. Her skills, resources, and creativity have helped me develop some of my favorite parenting tools. Through our coaching, Shelly supported me to make concrete changes and find new ways to respond instead of repeating old reactionary patterns with my kids. I am now able to meet even more of my kids’ emotional needs because of our work together. My whole family is grateful for Shelly! Maureen Laltoo, Mother of 3