Let’s get the credentials out of the way first:​ In addition to being a mom to two spirited boys, I’m a credentialed Moderate/Severe Special Education Teacher with a Master’s Degree, a Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate, and a Certified Life Coach.

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When I became a parent, I thought I was prepared. 

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I had worked with children of all ages for over 15 years. I had spent many of those years in high-intensity educational settings handling daily behavioral crises, patiently guiding students through their development and promoting their learning. Throughout this, I prided my ability to stay calm, lead with compassion, and navigate even the most emotionally and physically challenging moments with grace and composure. I got this!​

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Then I had kids of my own… and reality is that I was not as prepared as I thought.

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Suddenly, I was overwhelmed, second-guessing myself, and stuck in shame when things didn’t go well or I became reactive.

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The truth is, I learned the hard way that no amount of training or experience can fully prepare us for the emotional depth and complexity of parenting our own children. Parenthood invites us (sometimes not so gently) to look inward. Our histories, values, beliefs, behaviors, unhealed wounds… it all comes up. Missing skills become clear, and we’re brought face-to-face with the raw, real, imperfect version of ourselves.

 

But in this unraveling lies an opportunity to reparent ourselves as we raise our kids, to do the inner work, build new skills, and lead with compassion and connection.

 

The goal is not to parent perfectly, as much as I'd like to hold myself to that... but instead to parent with presence, intention, honesty, and a commitment to showing up for myself and my kids consciously. This is the key to thriving in parenthood, staying resilient through the challenges, and enjoying this wild ride.​

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Through my coaching and consulting work, I support parents and families on this same path. Whether you're navigating challenging behavior, conflicting parenting approaches, emotional overwhelm, burnout, or simply striving to parent with more calm and clarity, I offer a compassionate, judgment-free space to support your growth. 

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In addition to parent coaching, I’m also a Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate with years of experience in transition planning. I help families of students with IEPs understand their rights, advocate for appropriate services, and effectively navigate the special education system.

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Here’s what I aim to bring to and foster in every session:

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1. Unconditional Support
   You deserve a space free of judgment and shame, where it’s okay to make mistakes. I don’t expect you to be a perfect parent; I only ask that you show up with a willingness to self-reflect honestly as we work toward the version of yourself you want to be.

2. Self-Trust
   You have strong parental intuition - but sometimes it's hard to tune into it with all the outside noise and external pressures. We'll work together to clarify what's important to you and what values you want to parent from, so that you can start to trust your gut and decision-making skills based on a strong foundation.

3. Practical Guidance
   I’ll support your parental intuition with effective discipline strategies, teaching and modeling techniques, and plans to create an environment where your child can develop essential skills for success.

4. Celebrating Your Family’s Uniqueness
   Your family is unique, and so is your parenting. I do not advertise a one-size-fits-all approach; it simply doesn't work when we all come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and so on. Together, we can individualize a plan for you to reach your family goals while honoring what you and your family members bring to the table.

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Ready to get started? Send inquiries to liz@lizwyoung.com or submit a contact form. I can’t wait to connect with you!