Kathi Turner - Coach for Birth Mothers

Kathi Turner - Coach for Birth Mothers Coach Kathi is a coach for birth mothers, fathers, and grandparents facing an unplanned pregnancy. C

Individual and group coaching options to assist birth parents and birth grandparents to meet the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy at each stage of their journey, from the moment they discover the pregnancy, through the emotions of sharing, research of all options and resources, questions about pregnancy, social considerations, what to do about life goals, and making decisions about the pregnan

cy and beyond. Individual and group coaching for grandparents raising their grandchildren to support them in effectively transition socially, emotionally, and financially in ways that allows them to care for their own needs so they can successfully meet the needs of the children.

08/15/2012

What foods do you crave during your pregnancy?

What indulgences do you allow now, just because you are pregnant?

What are some of the unique, standout moments that you will not likely to forget?

08/14/2012

With schools opening again in a few weeks, I am reminded of the statistics that 67% of teens who get pregnant never finish high school. The other part of that statistic is that 33% do finish. I hope that parents, teachers, coaches, and friends do what they can to help a teen mom juggle school and parenting. It makes a difference that lasts a lifetime, impacting both mother and child.

06/07/2012

Your "VILLAGE"

This weekend I will be attending the annual State Conference for Texas Business Women. I joined this organization of women devoted to the support of women in the workforce because I thought it would be good for me professionally. What I discovered almost immediately was that I had found my "Village", a Sisterhood of a special kind to mentor, support, and care about me as a woman and friend.

Tomorrow I will be honored to present the memorial for two members, both members for more than 50 years and this body of women considered them Sisters and appreciated their years of leadersip and sharing.

I have learned how much easier it is to get started when there is someone cheering for you. Having someone who has already walked the path and gained experience to teach and guide you into new territory is an amazing gift. Sisters let you test yourself in a safe and supportive space. Why? Because we are are a "Village" that knows we need to work with and for each other, to honor and appreciate our different skills and contributions, in order for all of us to succeed.

Do you have a Sisterhood that stands with you at this unique and momentous time in you life? Look for someone ( or a group of someones) who will mentor you as you chose your path, who will help you find your own strengths, and cares that you succeed. It is hard to build a house alone, so much easier to have an old fashioned neighborhood barn raisin'.

05/13/2012

Today is Birth Mother's Day. Celebration may not seem to fit, but I believe each adoptive parent has much to celebrate in their child's first mother, the woman who chose life for this child, and who will always be a mother too.

I respect the pain, the love, and strength of each birth mother today. No matter the reason she relinquished, she is important in her child's life. She can not forget. Today she is honored.

02/06/2012

Big challenges are easier to face when broken into smaller parts. Like the old joke, "How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time". Being pregnant is very simple. It has a very clear course. Beyond the physical experience, however, there are so many things to experience and do, especially, if you are not sure about what you want to do. The tip of the day: take each task or decision and see how many steps you can break it up into. Then, take just one step at a time--and don't forget to give yourself credit for each individual step you complete.

02/06/2012

Thanks for sharing. You faced not only a huge decision regarding placement for adoption, but also had a legal battle. What has helped you get through this year? What strengths have you found in yourself that serve you now?

01/28/2012

Winter, the quiet season when the ground is at rest, has traditionally been the time used for reflection and planning for the year. Sometimes that seems crazy and unrealistic when every day is a new beginning and a great time to get clear about what we want in life and what we need to do to achieve it. Every day is a perfect day to reflect and take account of our efforts, and more importantly, acknowledge ourselves for investing something in our tomorrow's

What will help you get clear about what you want?

01/20/2012

I read a post on FB today, the original author was not named. It said, "Never be ashamed of the scars life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, you endured the pain, and God has healed you." Does that ring true for you?

My mother told me that I would forget the pain of childbirth when I held my child. I found that to be true, possibly because I accepted that as a useful way of dealing with the pain. I did not forget giving birth, but I honestly do not remember the pain.

You will never forget your pregnancy, the relationship with this life inside you that changes everything in your life. You will not forget giving birth.

If you choose to parent, you will remember only counting all the toes and fingers and being amazed at the perfection of an infant. You will recite the story many times.

If you choose to place your child in the care of another, you will still remember every feature of your child and most of your thoughts and feelings, especially that there was different kind of pain that will eventually be a "scar" inside. You may not tell the story often outloud, but you will recite it many times to yourself. You will know you endured. You will remember that you healed.

Please share your thoughts or your experiences.

01/17/2012

Martin Luther King brought message of how people could one day accept and respect a person because of their character, strengths, and what they contribute to the world. Prejudice comes into play with many of life's circumstances. Hate, insensitivity, and prejudice are taught. Although common, those actions are not natural.

A woman (of any age) who is facing an unplanned pregnancy is often too quickly put into a box, judged without understanding and compassion. I have a dream that one day, people, especially parents and friends, will judge a woman based on who she is as a total person and help her to move forward to be the best person she can be. I hope that the women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy can do the same for themselves.

01/02/2012

__"The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time", Abraham Lincoln
__Today is the first day of the rest of your life, as someone else said and everyone has repeated for many years.
__You can't undo yesterday and cannot count on tomorrow. All you have any control over is what you are doing right now.

All of these "truisms" really hit home right now, the beginning of a new year. TODAY is your time to do something about your life.

What things from your past (more than an hour ago) can you let go of?
Using the past platform for what you want and need to do next, what can you do today that will improve your life for tomorrow?

12/22/2011

We were all taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I find that I get great pleasure in looking for a gift that especially fits a person.

But there are two sides to everything, and receiving is the other side of giving. You can't have one without the other. Giving brings joy to the giver especially if the receiver is joyful in accepting, Which completes the circle.

Giving and receiving are not just about things that are purchased, wrapped, and tied with a ribbon. Think of a handshake, a hug, a compliment. Returning a handshake with a smile and eye contact makes an important connection. A hug that is returned increases the "feel good hormones" that last long after the hug. Accepting a word of encouragement, support, or thanks graciously us a gift back to the giver.

So much of the time it is as blessed to receive as to give. Yet so many of us have trouble accepting, even in the happiest of times.

When you are stressed and afraid, giving and receiving adds emotion on top of a mountain of emotions. I hope that, in this "season" of your life, you allow yourself permission to receive with joy, your gift to the givers who care about you.

12/11/2011

During this Christmas season, what are you experiencing? Would you be willing to share the hopes and dreams you have for your child? If there is great sadness, what would help you through these days? What would help you struggle less and allow joy more?

11/21/2011

I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful to be a part of your life this moment. Gratitude brings a sense of happiness, which science can now document.

When things are difficult, painful, sad, or lonely, being grateful can be a challenge. I think that there is sometimes an expectation that gratitude is only about the big and important things that bless our lives, but there are no BIG THINGS, really, rather many little things that come together. It is like a house, which is made up of sticks of wood, bricks mounted on bricks, nails and screws, shingles, and panes of glass. Each component is vital to the house being able to stand up to sun, wind, and rain. We can be grateful for the house, even if it is not perfect, including the nails and the hands that drove the nails into the wood.

Likewise, there are countless small things in our lives that define the quality of our existence, most of which we take for granted. Looking around you now, can you find within your immediate view things that make your life livable, good, safe, or even happy? Beyond the tangible items around you, are there things that bring quality or comfort to your life? For instance, being able to see and to read, the benefit of electricity, a place to live...

I am curious. What small things can you find for which you are grateful? I hope you find many, and, with the gratitudes, happiness.

11/12/2011

"Don't look back--you're not going that way." (from Back Toward the Light)

Do you have a strategy for looking forward that honors your pregnancy and birth experience, as well as your life-long role as the first parent of your child? What would you want your role to look like? How will you weave this part of your life into your future relationships with family, friends, a spouse, and children you might have in the future? Coaching is a great way to work through these issues. Contact me for more information.

11/08/2011

The holiday season begins, to the delight of the children and adults that are still children at heart. It is a treat to watch children enter into the magic of the holidays, starting with Halloween. Almost all celebrated and popular holidays are focused on family, the children, the meaning of family, sharing, connecting...These are some of the hardest days of the year for women who have chosen to place their child in the arms of another family to raise. This season of joy can be so bitter sweet, possibly very distressing. Birth parents, if you often silently, mentally, and emotionally celebrate your birth children, consider sharing those thoughts and feelings with other birth parents as a way to support each other, write a letter to your child, create a special ritual that celebrates the life and the light you brought to this world, or, if possible, make something meaningful to share with your birth child, if not now, someday when you are both ready. For anyone who knows a birth parent, consider encouraging them to express their holiday feelings out loud. Acknowledge them. Care about them. This is, afterall, the time for love, connecting, bringing joy and lifting others up. Start early. Decorations are declaring the holiday season open.

10/23/2011

Confusion does not just affect a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. There are lots of reactions. Friends do not know whether to be silent or sympathetic or happy for you. People who are uncomfortable can often say the wrong thing (yes, sometimes on purpose). Parents and siblings may bounce between extreme emotions. Even professionals might misread the situation and add to the confusion. So, what can you do about it? The best you can do is be open and real with a few trusted friends and family, who can help you stay grounded and who are more concerned about you than appearances. Tell them what helps and hurts. Create a safe place. Take care of yourself. Keep a realistic perspective. If other people are confused, that is about them.

09/24/2011

When you first discover you are pregnant, you may suddenly feel like you are on a rollercoaster of extreme emotions, high and low, happy and scared, and totally out of control. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to talk to someone to regain your balance and perspective. If it is not your baby's daddy or your parents, seek out a trusted friend, a counselor, or a coach.

09/23/2011

67% of teen moms drop out of school and have minimal wage jobs. That means that 33% (1/3rd) of teens who chose to parent also choose to take charge of their lives and get their education and create a successful life. Which statistic do you want to make your own?

Address

Dallas, TX

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kathi Turner - Coach for Birth Mothers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Featured

Share