I came to Hand in Hand Parenting in 2018 when my two daughters were ages 2 and 4 and I hit a breaking point. When I had children, I promised myself I would be a calm parent. I was going to lovingly listen to their emotions. I was going to accept my children and be there for them no matter what. I thought that I was going to be able to do that for them purely because I loved them and I had made a promise to myself to do better! Instead, I found myself exhausted, easily frustrated, just hoping they would “behave” because I couldn’t cope with them or how I felt as a parent. I found myself yelling, bribing, controlling, wanting them to just stop crying because I couldn’t deal with it. I didn’t have any more to give and it still wasn’t enough. Couldn’t they see that! I needed support. I wanted desperately to move in a positive direction.
When I found the Hand in Hand Parenting approach it just clicked. THIS was how I wanted to parent! I started with listening to the Hand in Hand Parenting Podcasts on the way to work. Elle and Abigail were relatable, inspiring, and laugh-out-loud funny. I loved listening to the tools in action. I joined the Professional Intensive Course and then the Hand in Hand Certification Course and became a Certified Instructor in 2020. The support and mentorship I received through the Certification Course and my Listening Partnerships have allowed me to develop into the parent I always wanted to be. I have been able to address daily frustrations and dig deeper into previous hurts from childhood that were coming up in my parenting. Listening Partnerships is the support I didn’t know I needed and now couldn’t imagine parenting without.
Hand in Hand Parenting tools are part of my daily parenting. I love that they are applicable to every child and every family. They are always in my back pocket and can be pulled out in any parenting situation that arises. They can be used together and flow into each other. They are my answer to building a connection with my children and meeting their emotional needs. I see how connection has changed my parenting and the groundwork for my children to develop into their best selves. My children now have the connection needed to be the amazing human beings they were always meant to be!
Where there was yelling there is now calm
Where there was bribing there is now teamwork
Where I used to question my parenting there is now clarity
Where there was turning away from their cries there is now embracing of their emotions
Where there were frustrations there is now play and laughter
Where there was despair there is now hope and support
I, too, hope you find the support and connection you and your family deserves. Parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done and I am so grateful to have an incredibly supportive community in Hand in Hand Parenting.
You can find me at andrea@handinhandparenting.org
Facebook at Andrea- Hand in Hand Parenting Certified Instructor
Website: www.reachparenting.ca
Sincerely,
Andrea
“Andrea was welcoming, warm and trustworthy. Without any judgment, she let all the parents open up about the good, bad, and ugly that might come with raising children. The tools she taught me, have honestly changed my family for the better. I am a better mother, I am more patient and there is more laughter in my house. I will be forever grateful for her knowledge.” — Tara
“I found the Hand-In-Hand Parenting course with Andrea such a wonderful way to connect with other parents and reflect on my parenting skills. Andrea is a very knowledgeable facilitator and had a great way of explaining the hand-in-hand parenting tools. The tools themselves are simple to use and had such a positive impact on our family.” — Jade