Hi! I'm Mel
I’m a mom of three grown kids (and a grandma of three now!)—two sons and a daughter—and I’ve walked through just about every season of parenting: the laughter, the late nights, the beautiful moments, and the downright hard ones that left me heart-broken & in a puddle of tears crying out to Jesus. Each of my kids is wonderfully different (and they joke that I gave them all an "A" -- ADHD, ASD, Anxiety). Raising them has stretched and shaped me in ways I never expected nor was I prepared for!
That's why I do what I do now. For YOU. For YOUR kids. For YOUR family. Gen1 Parenting is where I bring together what I’ve learned to offer real, practical support for parents who are right in the thick of it—because no one should have to figure it all out alone.
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Alongside my own parenting journey, I’ve spent more than 30 years working with families and children. I started out as a public high school teacher and have also taught middle school and college. I hold a Master’s Degree in Education and have specialized training in Trauma-Informed Education.
While I truly loved being in the classroom, over time I felt a deeper pull toward walking with families as a whole—not just the kids. I’m a Certified Parent Educator and Coach, and I’m passionate about helping families feel equipped, encouraged, and never alone on their parenting journey.
Most recently, I had the joy of contributing a chapter to The Perfectly Imperfect Family, an international #1 bestselling anthology full of honest, hope-filled stories about real family life that I pray is an encouragement to parents around the globe. You can check it out [here].
Why We Do What We Do
At Gen 1 Parenting, we recognize that many of us approach parenting based on how we were raised—or we resolve to do the opposite. But often, that's the extent of our "training" for the job. I know it was for me! This crazy cycle repeats from one generation to the next.
There's a better way!
We believe parenting should be treated like any other important role—one that deserves the right education, resources, skill-building, and support to help you do your best. We don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach, because we’ve seen too many parents try quick fixes, scripts, or generic advice, only to end up feeling more frustrated when those solutions don’t work for their unique family.
Instead, we focus on helping you build a deeply connected, authentic relationship with your kids, laying a solid foundation for your parenting journey. With the right mindset, knowledge, and tools, we believe you can confidently guide your family toward more peace and joy—while raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids.
If you’re looking to raise kids who grow into adults that genuinely want to spend time with you, you’re in the right place.
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What we believe:
The gardener does not make a plant grow. The job of a gardener is to create optimal conditions for growth to occur.
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we believe the path to great parenting lies in:
*nurturing & growing a mutually respectful relationship
*setting (& holding) healthy, age-appropriate boundaries
*fostering a collaborative, solution-focused mindset
*understanding the power of a variety of tools & how to use them effectively
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This approach not only invites cooperation from your children but also sets both you and them up for long-term success because we believe in creating lasting change, not just short-term "fixes".
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Our workshops, courses, and coaching (along with our own parenting journey!) draw from a variety of influential schools of thought, combined with years of practical experience as both educators and parents. We are particularly inspired by the work of Barbara Coloroso, Jane Nelson, and Haim Ginott—pioneers in the field of parenting who have shaped our approach. Their research-based, practical insights have had a profound impact on how we guide families, and we believe their methods offer some of the most valuable strategies out there, whether you're dealing with the defiance of a toddler or teen, or struggling to know how to best parent your neurodivergent kiddo.
We don’t believe there’s just one “right” way to parent. Every child and family is different—and parenting works best when it’s grounded in connection, intention, and a willingness to grow.
Our own journey has been shaped by our faith in Jesus, but we know that’s a personal choice. We work with families and organizations from all backgrounds, creating space for what matters most: real support, honest conversations, and practical tools that help you show up for your kids.
Because parenting is hard—and NO ONE should have to do it alone.
