When I was in the hospital after my first child was born, my parents came to the hospital to visit, as grandparents do.  I remember holding my precious new daughter and each of my parents were sitting on either side of the hospital bed.  My mother said, "this is the most wonderful thing you will ever do and it will be the hardest thing you will ever do."  My father said, "it's the beginning of the greatest adventure of your life and sometimes adventures are exhilarating, sometimes they are terrifying."  Such wise true words.

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I've always been fascinated with families and how they function.  As the youngest of five children, I was often the quiet youngest child at the dinner table with my wonderful and very boisterous siblings.  I spent a lot of time watching.  It is a topic that never gets dull for me, I think each family has its own system, its own code of ethics and conduct and its own communication pattern.  

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If only it was straightforward! It's not.  As time passed, we welcomed two more children and one stepdaughter to our home.  Each one a blessing, each one with their own journey.  My parents aged and I nurtured them through their final years.  Throughout it all I had to constantly ask myself, what does family mean to me?  How do I hold on to what was meaningful and good in my own childhood and let go of dysfunctional patterns that were unhealthy for us all?  What role and responsibility do I have for my own healing, so I don't pass patterns on to my own children?  How can I understand and forgive myself for my parenting mistakes?

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Creating space to discuss the beautiful and complex adventure of your parenting journey means a great deal to me.  Your journey is unique and valuable.  You are the most important person in your child's life.  It's an honor to be in that space alongside you.  

My Why