About me…
Parents’ Champion.
Children’s Friend.
Life-Artist & Mum.
Welcome!
I’m Oona, a parent like you.
So, I get how tough it feels when you have a child with challenging behaviour.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You are not powerless.
You have choices.
You can choose to take back control.
My story.
When my son was born in 2004, I promised myself he would have a beautiful childhood – and never be lonely, as I had been.
I was an experienced teacher, so thought it would be easy. How wrong I was. I found myself losing my cool and exploding on repeat. What had happened to my promise?
I desperately needed a solution. But it was confusing. Everyone had a different opinion. Some said it was about limits and boundaries. Others, descriptive praise. There was the ‘discipline and consequences’ camp. And a few said a healthy life with lots of outdoor time was the answer. So, what was it?
One day, when observing a child with challenging behviour in a nursery, I had an epiphany. I saw how this boy’s behaviour, which at first seemed quite random, had reasons.
Following this I realised children’s behaviour always has a reason. And when we address it, behaviour quickly improves.
Everything I had learnt about children professionally and personally fell into place. I’d found the kind, effective route to great behaviour I was looking for.
It wasn’t about any one of the magic bullets people had been talking about. It was about taking back control by becoming the close, knowing parent your child needs you to be – a parent who understands your child’s true needs.
My relationship with my son blossomed.
I finally felt like the mum I had always intended to be.
And now that I’d discovered how to make family life peaceful and fun, I wanted to help other parents to do this too.
So, in 2015 I founded my parenting consultancy, helping hundreds of parents with a child with challenging behaviour in UK, Ireland and worldwide take back control and finally have the happy family they longed for.
I call my system “Pathway to a Thriving Family”, because it’s about the simple steps that bring peace, laughter and trust to your family – even if it’s been years since your family felt that way.
Here’s how Pathway to a Thriving Family works:
Connectedness
Not sure how to find your child’s willingness switch? Watch the video to find out what to do when your child resists.
Would you like to have more interactions like this with your child?
Sign up for The 21-Day Relationship Reset – and bring your child closer every single day.
Five fun facts about me:
When I was a student at Oxford University, I spent a summer on a solo pony trek around the West of Ireland.
For a few years, I ran a parent-and-child group in our kitchen - thankfully my husband and son were quite tolerant!
Yes, I have done trainings and have qualifications but my greatest achievement has been to raise my son. He’s now a happy, helpful and capable 21 year old young man and I’m so proud of him.
At 19, I firmly believed we could save the world with organic agriculture and stood as a Green Party candidate in the local elections in Oxford.
I took up dancing tango 3 years ago and discovered that tango isn’t about fancy moves at all. It’s about listening, connecting and being present - same as parenting in fact.
I have been published by or provided training for the following companies:
THE TIMES
INDEPENDENT
HUFFPOST
amicable
nationwide
The Official Bit:
30+ years guiding hundreds of families as a parenting expert, coach, speaker, trainer and teacher.
Parent educator: the Nurturing Programme
Certified Clear Beliefs Coach
Voice Dialogue Facilitator
Early Years Professional Status: Postgraduate qualification
Pikler expert
Co-founder of the Pikler UK Association
BA Oxford University
Diploma in Waldorf/Steiner Education
Download this free guide to help you get your children listening and cooperating, so you can finally be the calm parent you’ve always wanted to be.
Solve the Struggle with your Kids.
