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Sarah R. Moore

Accredited Parenting Coach & Author

Sarah R. Moore is a certified parenting Master Trainer based in Boulder, CO. With over 12 years of experience, Sarah is the author of Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science and Better Behavior and the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting. She offers parent coaching and an ICF-accredited certification program. She is trained in child development, trauma recovery, and interpersonal neurobiology, and offers individual, group, and corporate coaching for parents and caregivers. Sarah is the Board Chair for the American Society for the Positive Care of Children. Her work has been featured on NBC, CBS, Motherly, Natural Parent Magazine, and more. Sarah is also a frequent podcast guest and public speaker, and has 17 years of previous experience in conflict resolution, communications, sales management, technical and marketing writing, project management, and international business development.

Education

  • BA - Journalism and French, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • MFS, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Professional Achievements

  • Studied interpersonal neurobiology under the tutelage of world-renowned expert and best-selling author Dr. Daniel J. Siegel
  • Studied trauma recovery and strategies under Bessel van der Kolk, MD, expert and best-selling author of The Body Keeps the Score

Certifications & Organizations

  • Accredited program by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the gold standard in the coaching field
  • Board President for the American Society for the Positive Care of Children (American SPCC)
  • Certified as a Master Trainer by a global parenting organization
  • Editor of Pregnancy Magazine
  • Certified by the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring
  • Member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Favorite Piece of Advice

Everything about you makes sense - your triggers, your fears, and even your joys. The more grace you have for yourself, the more grace you can have to "pay forward" to your children, and healing is always possible.

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Forum Comments (2)

How do I deal with strict parents?
As a teen with strict parents, this is going to require some bravery on your part, because odds are your parents are doing what they think they're supposed to be doing. They’re trying to raise you in love, using the tools that they currently have. But I hear you—you’re saying these tools aren’t working for you. Your parents feel too strict, and that can feel very oppressive. It can create a lack of emotional safety, and it might make you want to hide your behavior—or at least your feelings—because you crave their approval.

The bravery required is in communicating proactively, and ideally in a calm moment, not when anyone is angry. Whether it’s through a letter or a conversation, tell them how you’re feeling, not what they’re doing wrong. That’s really important because it keeps them from becoming defensive. You could say something like, “I feel sad because I want to have a voice in the family, and I don’t feel like I have one.” Or, “I feel anxious when I can’t express myself.” Focus on your experience.

Yes, this is hard, and it might feel unfair, but if you want them to listen, you need to keep their ears open. And you do that by speaking vulnerably and respectfully about you, not them.
What are some good mother and daughter date ideas?
Anything that brings both of you joy. If your child loves the playground, then the ultimate date is to go with them and play. Yes, I’m that mom who goes down the slide! Children remember when you did things they love — with them.

Also, introduce them to new things. If they love music, go to a concert or dance around the living room. You don’t need something fancy. Joy and presence — that’s what makes the perfect date.

Co-authored Articles (8)

Why Does Your Daughter Always Blame You? Plus, What to Do

How to deal with a child who holds you responsible for everythingIt can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to have a rocky relationship with your daughter, especially when many of your interactions seem to invol...

Did My Parents Have a Negative Parenting Style Quiz

The way a child is raised can have a ripple effect, altering the person they become later on. Maybe your parents weren’t just “strict” or “relaxed.” Maybe they were actually actively shaping you into who you ar...

8 Simple Strategies to Prevent You From Worrying About Your Adult Child

Ease your worries about your child by giving them space, practicing mindfulness, and journaling When you’re a parent, it’s common to worry about your child as they are growing up. But when they make the transition to...

How to

Be a Responsible Teen

Being a teenager can be hard at times—between parental expectations, school work, and relationships with your friends, you might feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Instead of seeing these as ...

Is It Selfish to Have a Kid in Your 40s?

It’s not selfish—but there are a few things to consider before having a baby in middle ageSome people have strong opinions, especially when it comes to babies and having babies and other people having babies. You mig...

How to

Have a Good Family Life

Improving your family life can help make your family members closer and prevent conflicts from getting in the way of everyone's happiness. Fortunately, there are lots of concrete steps you can take to make your time with...

How to

Teach Your Child Good Manners

Teaching manners to a young child may seem a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. You can encourage your child to be polite by teaching them a few key phrases and greetings, encouraging them to understand th...

Emotional Parentification: What It Is and Why It Hurts

Learn the signs of emotional parentification and how to healDo you feel as though circumstances in your childhood meant you had to grow up too fast? Did one or both of your parents lean on you for emotional support even ...