Life for me is about creating safe spaces with breathing room for resolving conflict.
Life for me is about creating safe spaces with breathing room for resolving conflict. Both personally and professionally, I appreciate the discovery of expanding possibilities for connection, acceptance, and understanding. It takes courage to look beneath the surface and see the real needs that drive behavior.
As a youth, I was an observer and peacemaker with family and friends and struggled to notice where my own voice fit in. It is so rewarding to witness transformation in myself and others as I coach, teach, and write about self-awareness and making authentic choices in service to the greater good. Each day brings new “a-ha” moments on the journey of life-long learning of the causes and resolution of conflict.
I became a mom in 1988 and love being a parent! Three children, three stepchildren, and 3+ grandchildren later, I cherish all things parenting. Whether it is mutual problem-solving, connected listening, or championing a need, my philosophy of parenting is a focus on the BEING of parenting, so that the DOING falls organically into place. The “being” is awareness, connection, and presence that allows action steps to emerge naturally. The result is often a lot of fun!
My academic degree from Miami University of Ohio is in K-8 Education yet I was drawn to teaching adults rather than children, first in technology, then in parenting. I began teaching The Art of Positive Parenting through Action for Children in 1997. I delight in connecting with parents as they find their own way to learn and apply positive parenting skills.
In addition to teaching, in 2005 I launched a professional career as a parent coach with high-level training at the Parent Coaching Institute. Coaching provides a deeper dive into what brings life to a parent’s most cherished needs and values. In 2009 I created a court-ordered class and began teaching and coaching parents of children living in two homes as a result of parental separation and divorce. My own journey of divorce was a springboard for understanding the complexities and emotional turbulence associated with such big life transitions.
I earned a master’s degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University to further my work in creative conflict resolution processes for families and became independently licensed as a social worker in private practice. I volunteered for two years with the Franklin County, Ohio Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) organization to advocate for healthy placement of children after abuse, neglect, or a parent’s inability to care for them.
In 2015 I co-founded The Center for Family Resolution, providing mediation, co-parent coaching, and parenting coordination for moms and dads. I was on the committee to charter the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts Ohio Chapter, served as board president 2016-2017, and continue on the board in the role of secretary. I also serve as a coach in collaborative law cases and served as board president of the Central Ohio Academy of Collaborative Divorce Professionals.
I trained with the Overcoming Barriers family program and joined the clinical team serving families where a child resists contact with a parent at a summer camp program in Vermont. I continue to offer innovative programming for families wherever conflict robs children of the benefit of two healthy involved parents.
It is an honor to facilitate reconnection and new behavior patterns that rekindle the joy and satisfaction of parenting and family life. Currently, I advocate for family court reform on two committees with the Ohio Supreme Court and work part-time in the Delaware, Ohio domestic relations court providing early intervention programs for court-involved families.
I have continued my learning as a professional coach through the George Mason Leadership Coaching Program for Organizational Well-Being. After graduating from this program in 2020, I launched The Center for Coach Development as a path for other professionals to learn the core competencies of the International Coach Federation and take the first step toward ICF accreditation.
Co-authoring Real-Time Parenting with Beth and Mary is a highlight of my professional career. I look forward to future projects sharing this impactful work through writing, classes, and speaking engagements.
When I am not working, you can find me hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I especially look forward to nightly walks hand-in-hand with my husband. My grandchildren call me Mimi, and I hope to create many cherished memories playing and traveling with them.
