My children were 2 and 4 years old at the time and I loved them so much my heart ached, and yet, I wasn’t feeling joy. I wasn’t doing my best or even close. 

Up until this time, I’d been adventurous, moving countries, high flying jobs and changing careers so this version of myself I had become was not familiar to me. In fact, I wasn’t even sure who she was. I’d lost myself.  

One day, my two year old was in a high chair and he threw a spoon full of yoghurt on the ground and I became enraged. My thoughts were, “Why are you doing this to me? Who’s going to clean this up? Why can’t you just eat properly?” I burst out into tears, there was nothing left in the tank...how long could I keep going feeling like this? I felt resentful most of the time. Resenting how much I had to juggle, it never seemed like my partner did enough. I was the one thinking about the endless cooking, feeding, washing, entertaining whilst working part-time from home. My partner went out to full-time work, most of the endless tasks were completed by the time he walked in the door and I…. resented him for it.

It wasn’t until I started my own business that I really started to understand how beliefs are formed and what you believe about yourself in business and life shapes who you are. And get this…most of our beliefs are formed by the time we are 8 years old. 8!! 

So with my high problem solving skills I started to decode why I was thinking the way I was and how I could behave differently as a parent. Not just on the odd occasion but consistently. I’ve spent the last decade reverse engineering how parent’s beliefs are formed as well as how we can raise strong children with empowering beliefs from the get go. In that process, I discovered the leadership skills as a parent to enable your children to believe they are worthy no matter what. Believe who they are matters. Know that you see them and understand them. That curiosity and exploration are more than okay, they are critical to growing the mind (throwing food on the floor is exploring, yes!). 

What has transpired through learning and developing my parent leadership skills is nothing short of transformation. More energy, more daily enjoyment. Feeling confident and empowered and proud of parenting. Bringing out the best in my children. Working together as a family. Everyone feels understood, valued and respected for their differences and the result is children who communicate and listen consistently (even teens!). 

Today I live with my partner, two teenagers and our puppy, Saffie, in Sydney, Australia. 

As I write this it feels like a dream parenting life though it takes real effort, self-awareness and the willingness to grow and learn. I’ve tested these skills with families for over a decade and they work. EVERY time. 

Parent as leader doesn’t always start with you feeling like a leader in your home, but that’s where it ends up. You become the best version of you as a parent. And you bring the best out in your child.  Join me in the Parent as Leader program if these are your goals too. 

Parent as Leader is not for the faint of heart but I’m here for you, every step of the way.

See you on the other side! 

With love,

Dina