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A Calling From God: Twelve years ago, my youngest son was about to enter Kindergarten. Having enjoyed time at home during the early years of my kids' lives, I was feeling nudged in a new direction for my life. Although I also enjoyed my prior career as an Industrial Engineer, I sensed I was meant to use that education and experience, along with my training as a Life Coach, in a more family-focused arena.
After months of prayer and contemplation, I felt a direct calling from God. It was late at night and the rest of the family were sleeping soundly. As I lay in bed, my mind full of thoughts and questions about my future career, I suddenly heard a clear message in my mind. I was meant to use my love of family and my concern for the future of all our kids to help parents build stronger marriages, and to raise kids who know and love the Lord.
My heart was racing. I was wide awake and so excited. It was such a clear calling from God that I woke my husband and told him about it.
I wasted no time in heeding that call. My first venture was a series of workshops offered through our little Catholic church, and in the 12 years since that time, I have done many half-day retreats and presented workshops on numerous parenting topics. I also coach parents and families individually when appropriate.
God’s calling has been a blessing to me—and, I believe, to the many families I have worked with over the years.
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A Practical Approach to Building Stronger Christian Families
Many families are under incredible pressure these days. Busy parents are over-worked, over-committed, and struggling to pay the bills. The kids are so involved in school and other activities that they may feel stressed, as well. What little time families have together is often spent working on chores, homework or other tasks.
Where is the time to spend together connecting as a family? How can we pass on important skills and Christian values when we barely have time for a quick “hello?” How do we find time for family prayer and reflection, or to commune with our church family and Christian friends?
A Helpful Alternative to Counseling
Fine-Tuned Families coaching is appropriate for struggling families that could use guidance and strategies for setting priorities and improving their lives. Many times, I supplement short-term counseling provided by local churches. My goal is to helping parents find specific ways to slow down, get better organized, and focus on what matters: passing on to our kids a love of God and the life skills needed to have successful, fulfilling lives.
A Trusted Resource for Ministers and Christian Counselors
Ministers and their staff turn to me as a trusted resource to work with parents and families in their congregations. My workshops and half-day retreats for parents tackle real life topics and challenges, while helping participants further their spiritual growth.
I also work with families who are referred to me by clergy or church counseling staff. Through prayer, reflection, and time-tested Life Coaching and accountability techniques, parents who coach with me can often make remarkable progress in bringing about real, positive changes to their lives even in a short period of time.
The topics below provide specific examples of the nature of my coaching work.
Christian Family Coaching Workshops
Managing teaching moments to help our kids learn and grow as Christians
Fostering a sense of family unity
Helping our kids learn to moderate their electronics use
Balancing the "Martha" and "Mary" parts of our lives
Working through differences in parenting styles
Raising Christian kids in a secular world
Working through parent/child personality conflicts
Helping kids love learning and develop good study skills
Bringing Christian Voluntary Simplicity to our daily lives
Passing on Christian values without lecturing
Loving our kids unconditionally while setting loving boundaries
How to help our kids stand up to peer pressure
How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk
I am also an Independent Facilitator of the Becoming a Love and Logic Parent® Curriculum and enjoy presenting this series of workshops.
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about how coaching differs from counseling. For more information about other programs from Fine Tuned Families, visit the Programs page.
