Jane Richards

“For children to grow and develop with whole healthy spirits, there is an essential need for security, connection and acceptance within the family.”

What is this Jane, all about?

I am a mother of 3 children (ages 8, 11 and 14 years old), an elementary school teacher and a Certified Family Coach. I am passionate about coaching families.

I have always been committed to children and their success as life-long, confident, independent learners. I feel strongly that a highly significant correlate for their success is the experience of love, support and respect at home. For children to grow and develop with whole healthy spirits, there is an essential need for security, connection and acceptance within the family.

Over 12 years ago, I began thinking about coaching and mentoring parents. My mother passed away the day before my first daughter’s second birthday and I learned very quickly what it is like to be a young motherless mother.

I got to thinking:

“Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a mentor out there for people like myself? For parents who have very little family support and who desire guidance as they adjust to the different stages and challenges of parenthood?”

A few months later, my daughter and I went to the set of a movie my husband was making (my husband is an Assistant Director in film) to meet for lunch, only to find that a last minute production meeting had been scheduled. Lunch was cancelled and an opportunity to connect was missed. I was hit with the realization that my husband’s industry could not be less “family friendly.” The film business consists of extremely long hours, bizarre schedules, strange distant locations, 6-day weeks and a continuous loop of “quiet on the set.” A film set is not a place for kids and movie making allows no accommodations for families.

I got to thinking:

“Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a consultant out there for people like myself? For people who are married and who are held accountable to a partner, yet, who often carry the parenting load alone.”

Having been a teacher since 1992, I have taught many different students with diverse learning styles, backgrounds and family dynamics. In every case, each child had a significant person in their life that was trying to guide them the best way they knew how. However, not a day went by, in the classroom setting, without a parent asking me a parenting question.

• How can I motivate my son to do his homework?
• Can you help me manage my child’s temper?
• How can I encourage my daughter to stay home more? She just wants to be with her friends.
• When is my son going to become more responsible?

I got to thinking:

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a supportive and knowledgeable confidante available to support these families, above and beyond what a teacher has the time and energy to do?”

Through my own unique life, parenting and teaching experiences I have evolved into that coach I was searching for. Family Coaching is not just what I have chosen to do, a Family Coach is who I am.

The goal of my coaching, consulting, writing and speaking is to encourage parents to put family first and to foster powerful connections that can positively impact generations to come.

Contact Jane

Jane Richards
Family First Coaching
Phone: 705-259-2922
Email:jane@familyfirstcoaching.ca

Read Jane’s Articles for Parents of Tweens and Teens

Parenting Tweens/Teens – from Chaos to Calm
Married yet feel like a single parent?
Parenting Boundaries
Teenager spending more time with his friends than his family?