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Interview with Parenting Coach Meghan Brand Stauf

Meghan Brand Stauf • Jan 28, 2022

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                                                             Interview with Meghan Brand Stauf


How long have you been doing this and how did you get to be a Parenting Coach?  I have been a certified parenting coach for a year, but as a preschool teacher and a nanny I have always “coached” parents in an informal way.  In a search to make a change in my career I found The Jai Institute for Parenting online certification program.  I knew it was the program for me because it was right in line with the early childhood education recommendations for what is best for children.  And, the best aspect of the program was the requirement that I go through the program as a client for the first six weeks.  What I learned was life changing not only in the way I could help other parents but how it brought harmony to my own family. 

Who are your clients exactly?  My clients are parents that are overwhelmed and struggling with their children. Many know what to do but have a hard time making it happen.  They are longing for more cooperation and connection with their children.  I have several clients here in my home town as well as a few in other countries, like Canada and Africa. 

Do you have children of your own? What is your parenting philosophy?  Yes, I have an amazing, charismatic, joyful 12 year old.  My husband and I adopted him and he has been with us since he was 6 months old. My parenting philosophy starts with the understanding that humans are hardwired for connection. Connection between the parent and the child is the overriding goal and where solutions to problems begin.  My philosophy is parent centric - meaning that when a parent is grounded in safety and their needs are met they are better equipped to meet the needs of their children. I follow the 10 Pillars of Empowered Parent (https://www.gratefulparenting.org/resources)

What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?  I work best with many different personalities ranging from introvert to extravert, type A, or laid back.  I, myself, am a combination of personality traits.  In a coaching setting I am introspective and speak slowly sometimes - don’t let my long silences throw you, the wheels are churning!  All I require from you is a willingness to be open and stay curious and try to be kind to yourself. 

Does this really work?  I believe that if you are willing to care for yourself and make connecting to your child a priority, that I can help you find solutions.  My promise to my clients is that if I can’t help I will tap into my resources and attempt to find someone who can.  I can confidently attest to the fact that the shifts I have made in my own parenting have led to the kind of relationship with my child that I dreamed of.  You may also read some of my clients testimonials here https://www.gratefulparenting.org/testimonials 

How will we work together and what does the program entail? Depending on your needs you can choose from different packages. I offer one-on-one coaching where I guide you through the 12 weeks Ultimate Parenting Success Course.  This is the most comprehensive choice where you get life-time access to parenting videos, workbook assignments and weekly sessions with me.  In our sessions I provide a safe, confidential palace for you to fully explore your feelings and share your thoughts and parenting struggles.  My commitment to my clients is that I show up with full presence, full commitment, and full authenticity.   

Another option is to join a small group where I take the group through the Ultimate Parenting Success course.  This is a great way to get the support of a group setting. 

Or we can explore other options as well depending on what you might need. 

I have a family and a busy life.  Although I want more peace and connection in my home, I don’t have much time to spare.  How much time do I need?  I completely understand the constriction of time for busy families!  There are only so many hours in a day.  When we meet we can explore different possibilities.  If you choose the 12 week program you can expect an hour a week to meet with me and about two/three hours a week on homework.  You may make the personal choice to spend even more time than that reflecting and journaling. It is a personal process that is individual.  Some clients still benefit from the program even if they skip the homework.  Something to remember is that when you have more cooperation and harmony in your home you spend less time arguing or being upset.  The time invested is worth it!   

What results can I expect?  You can expect to see some shifts in your thinking right away.  You will begin to tap into your strengths as a parent and you will receive resources for de-stressing.  This process can be exciting, motivating AND challenging at times.  This work is about you and your relationship with your child.  I am not here to fix you or your child.  There is nothing to fix.  I am here to guide you to find what works for you and to discover what might get in the way of your goals.  When you practice empowered parenting you are dedicated to celebrating the essence of parenting, you will strive to ask for what you need in a calm way and your child will feel safe, connected and loved. 


 

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My Parenting Journey

By Meghan Brand Stauf • 20 Oct, 2021
My Journey Let me tell you a little about my parenting journey. I am a mother of an 11 year old boy. I have known all my life that I wanted to be a mother. My favorite Christmas gift was a baby doll. I spent hours changing her, feeding her and gazing into her precious eyes. When I was 12 I began babysitting and seemed to have an innate ability to care for children. I have enjoyed a career working with children as a preschool teacher with an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Observing and understanding how children perceive things, and figuring out the best way to help them thrive has been a lifelong passion. When the opportunity to adopt my son came about, both my husband and I were confident that I would know just what to do to help our boy thrive. And I did. Until our little spitfire reached the age of about three. I had trouble staying connected, I struggled to get my son to follow my directions and I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of working and caring for my son. I sought support and help from therapists, family members and teachers. However, as time went on my strategies were not working, things escalated and my frustration did too. The woman who was once praised as a preschool teacher for her patience couldn’t keep her cool with her own kid. In February 2018, realizing I wanted more career opportunities, I made the giant leap and enrolled in college to finish my bachelor’s degree. I chose a degree in Complementary and Alternative Health because I wanted to be in the best health to raise my son. Unfortunately, in March of 2018, tragedy struck and we lost my husband. My son’s anger and emotions were understandable but it made me scared. When the pandemic hit I was 6 months away from earning my degree, working as a nanny, overseeing the care of my mother-in-law’s affairs (who is in assisted living in another state), and caring for my son by myself. I was in full survival mode and my reaction to my son’s behavior seemed out of my control. That is when I came across the Jai Institute for parenting. It took me about six months to decide to enroll in the 24 week course. By the time I made the decision I knew the program could not only help me with my son but that it could help me utilize my education and passion for helping children and families. Now, I am very excited to share what I have learned because it has really changed my life. If we fast forward to October 2021 I can confidently say that I am no longer in survival mode, I have a rewarding career helping children and families and most importantly there are smiles, laughter, hugs and so much love between my son and I. He is a confident kid, who enjoys school, is cooperative and shares his thoughts and feelings. In this changing world I know we will be faced with challenges, but I feel confident that we have the foundation and tools to get us through. I will be forever grateful to those that helped me make the needed shifts in my parenting. It feels like a lifetime of cultivating and searching has landed me here as a certified parenting coach. Enrolling in the Jai Institute for Parenting and working as a coach was the best decision. Not only has my relationship with my son improved, it has helped me unify my early childhood education degree, my holistic health degree, my experience working in homes with children and families as a nanny, my experience as an adoptive, (and now single mother) and my life experience. All this puts me in a unique position to help families find what works for them. I believe that being a parent can be the most challenging and rewarding experience of a lifetime. We were not meant to face this challenge alone. It is my passion to support parents to make a shift toward connection and love. When they do, I believe their children will thrive as the unique beings they were meant to be. In turn, the human race will evolve in a healthy, positive way.

All Feelings are Welcome

By Meghan Brand Stauf • 16 Sep, 2021
For about three days I have had a deep feeling of sadness. I wasn’t sure why. What is causing this sadness? In the past I would have tried to ignore that feeling. I might have distracted myself with work, or scrolled social media in search of that dopamine hit, or searched for anything outside of myself to make that feeling go away. One of the tenants of conscious, peaceful, empowered parenting is that all feelings are welcome . With that in mind, I turned my phone off, I meditated, I sat with the feelings. When I did that I allowed the feelings to come to the surface. At one point the question wasn’t what is causing this sadness? It was what is not causing this. A pandemic, a dying planet, aging parents, missing my best friend... there is so much to feel sad about. I admitted that sadness was a very appropriate emotion at this time. Then, I went outside and felt the warm sun on my face. I thought of my son and how I was looking forward to picking him up from school. There was room for sadness and it didn’t overwhelm me. There was also room for deep gratitude. If I can do this for myself, I know I can teach this. All feelings are welcome.
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