"Raising children struggling with mental health issues, addictions, or even the normal angst of growing up can be scary and confusing for a parent. We are asked to look into the dark places within ourselves, and confront and make peace with our fears. We are asked to let go of what has made us feel safe and secure and embrace some things that may cause us pain."
Brad Reedy, "The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle and the Road Home"
If this quote resonates with you, please know you are not alone. My entry into this work as a life coach came through my experience as a parent- hard-earned truths about what we can and can't control, about letting go, and about learning to give myself what I needed instead of creating unhealthy attachments in our family system.
We get "stuck" in the ways we think we should be parenting our children- and often these ways are a reflection (or a rejection) of the ways we ourselves were raised. When your path as a parent veers so far off the "carpool norm" as to be unrecognizable, I can help you regain your footing and get back in touch with your inner strength and wisdom.
We get "stuck" in the ways we think we should be parenting our children- and often these ways are a reflection (or a rejection) of the ways we ourselves were raised. When your path as a parent veers so far off the "carpool norm" as to be unrecognizable, I can help you regain your footing and get back in touch with your inner strength and wisdom.
"I have struggled through many personal losses and trauma - most painful the ongoing challenges of parenting my only child in recent turbulent times. Many times I have sought therapy, support groups, medication to keep myself in balance. Working with Sarah has been one of the best processes, most comforting and healing of all. I was drawn to her honesty, intelligence, resilience and sense of humor. She created a very safe space for me to face my fears, feel my failures, express my pain, shame and confusion. Her careful listening, brave, honest, approach gave me new tools to dig in, find my own way to survive, recover from trauma, care for myself, build boundaries, and find the strength to carry on.
Sarah’s method is filled with generosity, intelligence, empathy and courage. Her coaching embraces her own experience, explores new and old concepts of healing, visualization, literature, and meditation. We’ve shared both poetry and pain and many moments of laughter and hope. I am so grateful for her extraordinary compassion and skill as a life coach, and look forward to swimming into the future with her encouragement and guidance."
Mary G.
Sarah’s method is filled with generosity, intelligence, empathy and courage. Her coaching embraces her own experience, explores new and old concepts of healing, visualization, literature, and meditation. We’ve shared both poetry and pain and many moments of laughter and hope. I am so grateful for her extraordinary compassion and skill as a life coach, and look forward to swimming into the future with her encouragement and guidance."
Mary G.
I wanted to share a bit about my experience working with the amazing Sarah Baird this past spring, after my son’s school closed due to Covid-19. It was an intense time for many of us across the globe, and I still feel extremely grateful that Sarah was part of my support system during this challenging time. In addition to the challenges that Covid-19 brought to us, my son’s father moved to another state in early April, leaving me to raise my son alone.
A bit about my kiddo: he is highly active, has ADHD, is very oppositional, and extremely smart! Before Covid-19 hit, I had assembled a pretty strong local support system that included therapists, doctors, coaches and mentors. But once Covid hit, all of that disappeared and I was on my own. I needed support from someone who understood strong willed boys, who had my back, who could make me laugh through my tears and who constantly reminded me that I was strong enough to be the mom that he needed. Sarah did that for me.
Sarah’s approach to my coaching needs during this time was “on-call and ready to listen” anytime! There were some calls when I just cried and raged. She listened with compassion. There were other calls when I got to tell her all of the horrible mom things I did that day. She listened without judgement. There were other calls when I told her about my parenting successes. She listened with understanding. She didn’t try to appease me or get me to feel sorry for myself but held me up and told me that I was strong enough to get through it.
I also loved the practical advice she gave to me. During a time when I was especially disoriented and feeling ungrateful and overwhelmed, she gave me a centering tool that I still use today when I am upset. She told me to take a moment and find things in my space that were yellow and to count those things. So today, when I am really angry or despondent, I look for yellow and count. It helps me see that there is a world outside of my head and that I don’t have to be ruled by my anger or reactions to my child.
I also want to say that my son and I are doing really well. I am much better at giving him space, allowing natural consequences, and taking care of myself. Thank you, Sarah, for your wisdom and love!
Judy B.
A bit about my kiddo: he is highly active, has ADHD, is very oppositional, and extremely smart! Before Covid-19 hit, I had assembled a pretty strong local support system that included therapists, doctors, coaches and mentors. But once Covid hit, all of that disappeared and I was on my own. I needed support from someone who understood strong willed boys, who had my back, who could make me laugh through my tears and who constantly reminded me that I was strong enough to be the mom that he needed. Sarah did that for me.
Sarah’s approach to my coaching needs during this time was “on-call and ready to listen” anytime! There were some calls when I just cried and raged. She listened with compassion. There were other calls when I got to tell her all of the horrible mom things I did that day. She listened without judgement. There were other calls when I told her about my parenting successes. She listened with understanding. She didn’t try to appease me or get me to feel sorry for myself but held me up and told me that I was strong enough to get through it.
I also loved the practical advice she gave to me. During a time when I was especially disoriented and feeling ungrateful and overwhelmed, she gave me a centering tool that I still use today when I am upset. She told me to take a moment and find things in my space that were yellow and to count those things. So today, when I am really angry or despondent, I look for yellow and count. It helps me see that there is a world outside of my head and that I don’t have to be ruled by my anger or reactions to my child.
I also want to say that my son and I are doing really well. I am much better at giving him space, allowing natural consequences, and taking care of myself. Thank you, Sarah, for your wisdom and love!
Judy B.