For over 25 years, I’ve been learning, living, and exploring what it really means to parent.

I started my career as an elementary school teacher after earning my degree in Elementary Education, and I loved being in the classroom—the structure, the growth, and the connection with kids. But everything shifted when I became a stay-at-home mom to my three children. I remember wondering how I could manage a classroom full of students with confidence, yet feel so overwhelmed in my own home. That question sent me on a much deeper journey.

I began doing my own work. I went to counseling, read everything I could get my hands on, and eventually pursued my Master’s in Professional Counseling. Along the way, I became a Licensed Associate Counselor and worked as both a mental health counselor and a school counselor, supporting children and families in a more personal way.

At the same time, I kept coming back to parents. I understood how hard it could feel, not because parents were doing it wrong, but because so much of what shows up in parenting comes from patterns we don’t always understand. In 2016, I opened At the Parenting Place, where I began teaching classes, working one-on-one with parents, and sharing what I was learning. I also wrote two books, including DiddleDots: 100 Tips to Ease the Craziness of Parenting and The Parenting Backpack: Strategies & Tools to Help You Parent with Confidence to help make these ideas more accessible.

Today, my work is focused on helping parents understand themselves in a way that feels normal, not overwhelming or shame-filled. Because when you begin to understand what’s underneath your reactions, parenting starts to feel calmer, more connected, and a whole lot lighter.