Dr. Lynne Kenney – Creator/Author of The Family Coach Method
Dr. Lynne Kenney, Psy.D. is a Mother of two, practicing Pediatric Psychologist in Scottsdale, AZ and Creator/Author of The Family Coach Method (www.lynnekenney.com). Dr. Lynne teaches families how to raise ethical, competent, masterful children at home and in school. More recently, she is co-author of the upcoming book titled “Time In Not Time Out”.
Explain your business and all the hats you wear being a Woman on a Mission.
The first hat I always wear is being a mom… a regular person who experiences the ups and downs of family life. My other hat is being an educator, giving presentations at schools and parenting groups to teach brain based skills to enhance skills of every day living. The hat I have worn since 2006, is as an in-home clinician where I go in a family’s home and move them away from the damage control and toward being a happier family where calm communication and skillful children become the norm. When the families learn The Family Coach Tools they begin to spend more time enjoying one another and less time stressed-out and overwhelmed.
What led you to want to do your current businesses?
I realized that when a parent has better skills, they can lead happier lives in literally 48 hours. Healthy parenting is about giving the children the social-emotional, communication and thinking skills to succeed. It is so motivating to introduce activities like The Pond, The Two-Step Volley and The Space Between, all of which can drastically change their lives in a short period of time.
What is your favorite part of your mission with your business?
Modeling and practicing skills in an active, engaging manner, makes parenting fun and keeps me learning and growing with families and teachers. It is magical, inspiring and heartwarming to see the transformation in a family. My newer work, teaching children ages 4-11 motor math is especially rewarding as their math skills rapidly improve as we play math.
What DRIVES you to continue to be a woman on a mission? What keeps you motivated when you feel worn down or frustrated when you have a tough day.
I honestly think reflecting on your how fortunate I am and what the world has given me. When I feel frustrated I get outside for some fresh air or I cook. There is something nurturant about making whole real food that tastes great for my family. l also gather our kids together and we count our blessings by saying a prayer of thankfulness.
What is your favorite product/service that you offer?
I recently wrote a 10-Day Parenting Challenge. It is the Multi-Media Companion to The Family Coach Method, which I created across 25 years of working with families. Motivated families can improve their family dynamic in a weekend by listening to the MP3s, watching the videos and completing the daily lessons together. The package offers them what I teach in homes at the power of their finger tips for only $49. Our children today represent the next generation of compassionate kids. What we need to do is stop focusing on the punishment and consequences, and begin to give children the words and actions to do what is expected. This series does just that.
What brings you down? What is the biggest challenge you struggle with as a Woman on Mission?
What brings me down is children who get punished for behaviors they could be taught to do well. My biggest struggle is being truly present and not rushing off to the next activity. I practice slowing down each and every day.
How has your involvement with Wurth Organizing assisted you?
Danielle brought to mind that the disorganized home tells children that it’s ok for them to misbehave. Such awareness led me to make organization in the home the first step in the Family Coach Method. I see how the results have truly improved families progress overall.
When it comes to organizing what are your most favorite tools?
One organizing book I adore is Meryl Starr’s The Personal Organizing Work Book.
What advice would you give to a woman who desires to be a Woman on a Mission but doesn’t feel like one yet?
Recognize your most meaningful and God-given skill whether it is organizing, crafting, music or teaching. Find what you are really good at and start sharing it with everybody! The key is to share, in this era we all need to lift one another up! Women need to articulate their current mission and act on it. My current mission is to move people away from time out and into time in which means teaching your children the sensory-emotional skills to stay calm and communicate effectively when conflicts arise.
