697. Insane Chaos Brought Everything Into Focus

Alison Smith

“Coming out of my psych degree, I put out my resume, and did the interviews, and ended up stocking shelves early morning shift at a hardware store.”

Alison Smith is a parenting coach and consultant from the Atlantic coast of Canada. In a world filled with seemingly endless rules for parents, she is a voice of solid reason and support for parents who question if they are doing the right thing for their child. She’s the founder of the on-line Parent Learning Community, co-founder of both the Thought Leaders in Parenting and Positive Parenting Movement groups, and is author of the “Gentle Parenting Manifesto.” She combines her background in education, psychology, and personal development to support parents in developing themselves while discovering strategies that fit for their family.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

With an early interest in sociology and a degree in psychology, Alison’s career path did not start out as she had planned. She worked for a hardware store chain. So, she went back to college to become a teacher. “I loved the active teaching, and was drawn to developing relationships with students and working with them on what they needed. But I found the system difficult to work within emotionally. I love flexibility and freedom.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

With her education degree in hand, life took a dramatic, unimaginable turn. Her husband suddenly was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery went well, and they recently celebrated his 10th anniversary with a clean bill of health. “That started us on a journey of seizing the day, being grateful in the moment.” They wasted no time in starting a family. Later, as she dealt with parenthood, isolation and expectations, Alison found a way to create a new life, which is driving her forward today.

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“I’ve developed a manifesto for gentle parents and gentle parenting, built on solid tenets. They start with connection, focusing on the relationship as the most important thing. It’s vital to develop empathy, compassion and grace for the perspectives of others, and respect. Respect is one of my core values, as well as freedom.”