My name is Samantha, I am an award-winning Positive Parenting Specialist and I’m the proud owner of Positive Parenting!
I had previously experienced domestic violence, permanent brain damage and had little to no help financially or emotionally.
My journey into parenting coaching came whilst I was running my therapy business and struggling as a single mum of two girls. At that time in my life, I had previously experienced domestic violence, permanent brain damage and had little to no help financially or emotionally. I was struggling as a mum as I was always giving out and not knowing how to give to myself properly and many times throughout those years I felt like I was drowning.
However, I was determined to change my life and often wondered why there were so few services and help for parents who were struggling emotionally and struggling with their children’s problems. You see, my daughter had been diagnosed with PTSD at the age of 3 and it devastated me. I blamed myself and spent months participating in play therapy with her and her psychologists, whilst simultaneously researching, learning and developing my own skills and acknowledging my own pain and needs, so I could be a better parent for her and meet hers.
This led me to write my first book, ‘What about me?’ It was my way of letting my daughter know that I saw her struggles, felt her pain and was going to help her move forward. It got great reviews from child care practitioners, David Walliams and families that were also going through similar situations and then that led me to create my second and third book! At this time I found myself counselling and giving coaching and tools to my therapy clients for their parenting struggles and it wasn’t until somebody said to me, “Why are you not letting people know what you can really do? People need to know that you are great at creating a connection and helping families!” Ping! Lightbulb moment!
I focused on what had always been a passion for me,
I sat on it thinking to myself, “ Yes, but I’m not perfect. I still struggle. What makes me so great?” I also felt a huge amount of fear around showing up and putting my story out there as I had spent years almost hiding away, ashamed of my story and background.
But you know what?
I focused on what had always been a passion for me,
Happy parents and happy children.
That meant the world to me, it continues to inspire me today and before I knew it, I had co-written my third book, I had become a best selling author and the reviews were flowing in! This gave me the encouragement to keep going and soothed any fears I had around helping parents on a wider scale. I soon built my business online whilst building a free, safe and non-judgemental parenting community online also for those who were seeking support. I also launched my ConfidentKids online course for parents this year too which I am very proud of.
Despite trying to be as organised as I can, and plan ahead, sometimes life happens
I’m not going to lie, it’s not been an easy ride, building a business and being a single parent. I’ve had to learn how to be super organised, sharing my time between the kids, the business and just as importantly, myself! I have yet to experience ‘balance’ but I always try to make up time if I haven’t spent a lot of time with the kids or on the business etc. Despite trying to be as organised as I can, and plan ahead, sometimes life happens, someone gets sick or something throws you off track. I’ve learnt that when these things happen, to just go with it and try to focus on the priority at hand.
I used to try to be superwoman…
…and do everything on schedule when actually it was to my detriment as I turned into a tired and miserable version of myself and I did not want my kids to see that side of me. Today, I look at myself and am so proud of how far I have come and how much I’ve changed my life. I always affirm to myself that everything will always work out for me and up to today that is actually my reality because even on the harder days, I am still succeeding, helping parents feel more confident and seeing families change.
That for me is priceless!
