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Effective and Loving Parenting

Ranked #12,704 in Parenting & Kids, #482,769 overall | Donates to Xylem Family Resource

Most parents seem to make parenting way harder than it needs to be. It makes me sad when I hear so many parents joke about how at least they only have to endure 18 years with each child. I think being a parent is one of the most awesome, fun, life-changing experiences and I'm so honored that I was given the opportunity to be a parent. Because, while there are definitely times parenting is a challenge, generally speaking, parenting is fun and my kids are a blast! I'm passionate about sharing what I know about how kids learn and develop and how to use great parenting techniques for the purpose of helping other parents know the joy and ease of parenting without having to yell or scream or beat your kids up. All this AND have a great relationship with your kids that will last a lifetime! Because afterall, we will know our kids as adults longer than we will know them as kids. So I better actually like the child I'm raising in the end and they'd better like me!

First, here's my blog

Yeah, yeah, yeah...so it's easy to TALK about good parenting. But do I actually do it? I try! Follow me on my own parenting journey as I try to show how I try to "Parent What I Preach". You will see how I put into practice the parenting techniques I teach with my own, often strong-willed children, on a regular basis. Because if I can do this stuff, so can you!!!! Let me open up my life to you and help inspire you to be the best parent you can be!!!!
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About my life

I have been married to my wonderful husband, Asa for over 12 years. We dated for 6 1/2 years before getting married. Though we've been together FOREVER, I love him more and more every year! We have two children, Isabella age 7, concieved after 2 years of infertility treatments, and Nathanael age 5. Samantha was born June 17, 2009. Isabella was a C-Sec birth and Nate was a VBAC. Samantha ended up being delivered via c-section as well. We adore our children and LOVE being parents. I have worked with families since 1995 in various capacities including classroom teacher for preschoolers, 3rd graders and a 5th/6th grade SIED classroom. I've been a trainer and consultant in behavior management, anger and conflict managment skills, and parenting for over 11 years and have worked with children from infancy through teen including youth at risk. I have my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Westmont College with an emphasis in Human Services (marriage and family) and a Masters in Child Development from Tufts University. I am a certified eduator for the Gottman Institute and was trained in their Bringing Baby Home program. Our little family lives in Denver, CO with our black cat Bagheera and our water turtle Gus. If I'm not doing parenting stuff, I love to sing and would join a band in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.

Xylem Family Resource

Xylem Family Resource
I co founded Xylem in 2003 out of a desire to support and educate families. Check out the website for this great nonprofit and find out how we can serve you even if you don't live in the Denver area. Xylem provides workshops, classes, and trainings. Through Xylem, I also do private consults, in-home coaching and phone consultations. Check it out and see what it's all about!

Books I recommend

I actually don't recommend many books for parents to read. I know, very un-educator of me. But my experience is that there are SO many books on how to parent, all with a very different opinions on the "right" way to do it, that it just messes parents up. Actually, recent research has been coming out supporting the fact that self-help-type books actually DO generally do more harm than good, leading to confusion, misinterpretations and practices that can actually, in some cases, leave the individual worse off than when they started. So, let me read the books for you, eliminate your confusion, and teach you how to be a great parent without all the book reading. However, I do highly recommend (almost REQUIRE) all my Faith-based parents to read Grace-Based Parenting. It's a book I would have written if Tim Kimmel hadn't beat me to it. And if you MUST read a book, Love and Logic does give some good supplemental ideas to use. But use Love and Logic only after you and I have talked!
I also added the negotiation books because good anger regulation and problem solving skills are essential for being an effective parent. And these are great easy reads that are able to go deeper than my usual workshops allow me to do.
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A few movies I recommend for your family, too

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Reader Feedback

  • Alison Gubser Mar 5, 2009 @ 8:43 am | delete
    Tara - You have no idea how much you've helped us in the time that I've known you! Thank you!
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TaraWood

Tara is a a well-respected and highly educated parenting educator and coach. Considered one of the top authorities on the subject in the Denver area,... more »

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