We recently connected with Sarah Tracy and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

Recently, I was presenting a workshop for middle school parents in our district. Before the session started, I was chatting with one of the parents. She looked familiar to me, and before I could ask, she mentioned that she had attended some workshops that I had presented at our local children’s museum several years ago. I immediately recalled having seen her there. She then went on to tell me how valuable the information I shared had been for her and that it changed the trajectory of her parenting. My heart wanted to burst knowing what a positive impact I had, not only on her life, but the lives of her children. This is exactly why I do what I do.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a parent coach and educator. I help parents raise their children with intention and joy by providing support through individual sessions, group coaching, and workshops. I believe that parents are the true experts for their family and my role is to be a support and guide throughout the parenting journey. I first realized my passion for parenting when I became a mama in 2004, and again in 2006. I wanted to be the best parent I could be. When I started taking parent education classes through our local community college when my children were toddlers, I realized the importance of having a community to connect with and rely on as well as having a guide/coach to help provide validation, reassurance, and helpful tools. I was motivated to be intentional with my own parenting and also realized a strong desire to help other parents. I decided to start mentoring with a well-known local parent educator and also pursue a graduate certificate in parent coaching. From there, I slowly grew my business through referrals from my mentor as well as word-of-mouth. I now work with parents in individual and group coaching sessions and provide workshops for school districts, parent groups, and other organizations.

I want parents to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness or an indication that you are a “bad” parent. Just as with sports coaching, business coaching, or life coaching, working with a parent coach is an opportunity to improve your skills and help you be more successful in raising your children into the adults you hope they will become.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One time in my business where I’ve had to pivot is one to which many people can relate – the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, all of my work with parents – whether private sessions or group workshops – was done in person. When everything shut down, that brought things to a screeching halt (as we all experienced). This forced me to rethink how I could (and would) work to support parents. While entering the digital realm and learning Zoom and other new platforms was a challenge, it also opened up a world of possibilities. Now I am able to provide workshops and individual sessions for parents all over the country (and even the world).

Another pivot in my life is one I am currently experiencing. My daughter graduated from high school last year and my son is graduating high school this year, so we are on the brink of an empty nest. After pouring so much of my time, energy, and attention into parenting for close to two decades, that is all about to change. I have the opportunity to reassess how and where I want to spend my time and what activities I choose to engage in. While it is a bittersweet time for sure, it is also very exciting to think about all of the new opportunities for myself and my children.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most helpful thing for being successful in working with parents is respectful differentiation – being able to recognize difference without judgment. There is no room for righteousness in parenting. I am able to meet parents where they are at and help them figure out what/how to improve without feeling judged. We are all doing the best we can with what we know.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.parentcoachsarah.com (coming soon!)
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/parentcoachsarah
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/parentcoachsarah