Karen Gardner

Before becoming a parent coach, Karen Gardner enjoyed a number of child centered occupations. She has been a member of a specialized Head Start team, studied special and early childhood education, and developed a creative writing program for at risk children. It was when she became a journalist specializing in family issues, however, that her interest in parenting theory and single parent issues took center stage.

As a writer, Karen was exposed to massive amounts of parenting information from countless childrearing experts. She found the experience to be mind boggling, but in the end she discovered one simple truth—Parents are the experts when it comes to their own children. This belief is the premise on which her coaching practice is based. Karen acknowledges the many parenting theories, but sincerely believes there is no universal approach to childrearing. She feels every parent, child, and family has a unique perspective.

This, in turn, makes their difficulties and triumphs as individual as they are. Karen carries this belief into her coaching practice, and uses it to empower parents in their role as experts. In addition to her professional qualifications, Karen is a single parent. Her daughter, Irene, is a high school senior looking forward to studying architecture in the fall. Karen credits Irene for teaching her about life, love, and believing in herself as a parent. Karen can be reached at kygardner@verizon.net.