Hear what other's have said

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 '' My last session with Sarah was outstanding. It was full of useful strategies that can really help me in my case. I could totally relate and look forward to implementing them in my routine. The ones I like the most and am already applying are 'Listening and Believing them' and 'Special Time where they can be In charge'. Thank you, Sarah, for all the valuable helpful tools.''

 “I attended a six week course with Sarah recently. It was so helpful to spend time with other parents that were not necessarily at the same stage of parenting as I am; with children of differing ages to mine. It’s heartening to know that other people get stuck, other people have maybe tried everything they can think of too! 

 “Sarah guided the sessions in a really gentle and intuitive way. I have been struggling with how to support my 14 year old boy with how to deal with his anger and sadness after some recent events. I've been worrying that I am not getting it right for him.  After sharing with the group and getting some feedback from Sarah she offered some support that I found to be really helpful, both in understanding him, and being more forgiving to myself. A real gift!  Thank you Sarah” 

 “Thank you Sarah, for lots of gems today. You are a source of knowledge and created such a safe space earlier... such a credit to you and we even found vulnerability on zoom!

Looking forward to next time!”

 “I really couldn't recommend the work of my wonderful friend, Sarah Charlton more highly, she is such an authentic and all round lovely person, with a great sense of humour and an easy laugh, essential when dealing with some of our teens. Its been wonderful watching her work from afar and seeing the end product, her gorgeous, articulate and wise son.” 

 “Sarah continues to be a true inspiration and source of guidance for Us as a family. We have two children, aged 13 and 11.

At a time a few years ago when we were struggling as a family to communicate and listen to each other's needs and wants, Sarah stepped in and worked with us using and teaching the tools of Hand in Hand Parenting. She was clear, warm and mindful in her approach and enabled us to move through an extremely difficult period to a connecting wholesome place as a family.

We feel truly blessed to have continued support from Sarah and be part of her unique delivery of the Hand in Hand tools.”

 “I will be forever grateful for my introduction to the Hand-in-Hand Parenting network and its local coordinator, Sarah Charlton.

It’s no exaggeration to say that six years into my mothering journey with my lightning bolt daughter and, contrary to the outward coping face I wore, I was drowning. Severe childhood trauma, and heavily bleeding wounds from my own lack of positive mothering had built what seemed like a Berlin Wall between my daughter and I. Each day presented me with parenting challenges the likes of which I had no idea how to face. At night I would fantasise about taking a solo flight to San Francisco and joining a Yacht Rock Revival Band; and I’m only half joking. Being a mother was just too hard; too confusing. I was exhausted with feeling like a failure.

I joined Sarah’s parenting group and learned some key skills; most importantly Listening Time afforded me time and space to grieve & rage against my own neglect, and also to honour other parents struggles. What do you know, it turns out I’m not alone after all. After each session I felt a little lighter and freer to navigate the virgin territory of being a mother. And I was honoured and comforted to hear other parents' inner struggles that are climbed each day.

A glorious future is coming into view now for my daughter and I; one which we’ll make up as we go along. There will be challenges but I no longer expect myself to know the answers. Becoming a mother threw up such grief and paralysis from my own motherless-ness,  I felt like a monkey being asked to conduct Beethoven's Fifth Symphony; I didn’t even know how to hold the baton! Birthing my daughter threw up a core pain that actually I hadn't yet become a human being; let alone a woman; let alone a parent.

My acquired Hand in Hand skills and time spent with my dear Listening Partners were a life line. I truly have no idea what I would have done had I not had that initial cuppa and compassionate ear from Sarah. The San Francisco escape fantasy still runs at times but this time my girl is in the band and we’re playing together.”