We were lucky to catch up with Christine M Bright recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christine M, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When the COVID Pandemic came, I was looking for a rental property to buy. The excitement of owning the building I would live in was intoxicating! But, as the pandemic progressed, I was advised by my Real estate agent not to purchase a rental. It was sound advice, yet I was disappointed. A few months later, I had the opportunity to work with Fairway Mortgage and advise parents on navigating working remotely and virtual learning. During this time, friends encouraged me to become a parenting coach. Parenting Game went from an idea to an LLC. The business grew quickly, and I needed help to keep up. But I still needed to put content in writing. I was learning all the new technologies and social platforms like Zoom, Instagram, and Canva, building a website, and creating a parent coaching program. All while still working as a Child Care Professional 40 hours a week. I soon realized I needed help and training. So, I took the downpayment money, and instead of buying a property, I invested it in ME!
First, I needed to learn how to be an effective coach. After discovering that the most respected certification agency was ICF, I invested in becoming an Associate Certified Coach. It was a year-long process, expensive, and worth every penny. The courses gave me the framework and resources to be the best coach possible. Second, I found a virtual assistant to help me with the website, social media, and bookkeeping. This freed up my time to focus on developing the curriculum. Finally, I needed help dialing in my marketing message and wanted to be an effective speaker. I got a two-for-one with Engaging Speakers. It also was worth every penny. But I shook as I wrote out a check for $10,000!
The risk has paid off! I have been able to help parents nationwide and internationally. In addition, my cable TV show is awarding-winning, and the Voices of Truth collaborative book is an Amazon Best Seller. Next year, I am starting the search for a rental property!

Christine M, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been working with children and families for over 20 years. As a teacher’s aide and Sunday school teacher, I realized I had a knack for working with children with challenging behaviors. So I eventually started an in-home daycare and tutoring business. It was rewarding seeing kids who were struggling improve.

Unfortunately, I had an unexpected move and started over in a new state. For several years I worked in the beverage industry. Eventually, I started a business in the beverage industry. It increased, and I learned about marketing and how to be a good CEO. This period was fun, and I enjoyed it, but I wanted more. I started to miss working with children and families. So, I connected with an agency and became a nanny for families with children who had behavioral issues. I honed my skills by attending training and taking child development classes which resulted in becoming a Child Care Professional. Working with an individual family full-time was rewarding. Yet. I knew I wanted to help more families.

I studied and passed my ICF life coach certification course, with my specialty being parents and family. I could use my experience and training to develop the “Parenting Game Playbook.” Kids don’t come with a manual, but now parents can get the playbook! This Playbook helps families move from chaos and yelling to homes where everybody listens, cooperates, and communicates.

Hearing families share how the strategies I taught them changed their families immediately is rewarding. When the family is running smoother, I often work with parents to find what they have been pushing aside or missing in their personal life. Helping clients reclaim what they have set aside while providing for their families results in them thriving instead of surviving.

The Parenting Game 6-week course and individual sessions occur virtually with me. People have asked why I haven’t recorded parenting videos for my 6-week course. My response is that each family is unique. I want to address the uniqueness so their family can truly thrive.

Helping parents and families fills my soul. It’s my life’s work.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Two things help me be successful in my field. First is receiving and holding my client’s stories with care. For example, when a parent shares about their family, I listen without judgment. I let them know I understand their frustration and why they made parenting choices. Second, I share my parenting journey. I wasn’t the perfect parent and had to learn to change. I encourage them and acknowledge parenting differently takes time. But it’s a process that will result in a calm home filled with joy!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped build my reputation was sharing how I had to change as a parent. When others know I have done the hard work to change myself, they are willing to listen. Continually working with children in the community as a mentor and tutor gives me relevant examples. And I am not the one always sharing the examples. Teachers and parents are seeing the strategies working in real-time. When they tell another parent how they have seen a child change, that is the best advertising I can get!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ParentingGameWins.com
• Instagram: @ParentingGameWins
• Facebook: @ChristineMBright
• Linkedin: @ChristineMBright
• Youtube: @ParentingGameWins

Image Credits
Pictures taken by me – Christine M Bright