Families First Coaching

“The 7 Worst Mistakes that Parents Make (And How to Avoid Them!)”

Every parent wants the best for his/her child. Yet, without knowing it, many parents today are parenting in a way that leaves children unprepared for the challenges of college and work. The 7 Worst Mistakes that parents are unwittingly making will be revealed along with practical solutions that parents can use immediately to correct these common errors, bring greater joy to parenting and raise happy, successful children.

“Proven Strategies for Reducing Sibling Hassles”

It’s normal for siblings to argue, but if you’d like to reduce the name calling, fighting and taunting that you put up with every day, then attend this class to learn four proven strategies for reducing sibling hassles at your house. You will quit playing referee, increase kind deeds, reduce the number of arguments and prevent some physical fights from occurring while enjoying more peace and quiet!

“Get Your Child to Listen the FIRST Time!”

“My child doesn’t listen the first time that I ask” is one of the most common parenting complaints. This class offers 21 different options that parents can use to derail their child’s defiance and get results to lower their stress level.

“The New Self Esteem: Creating a Mindset for Success in Your Child”

In this class, you’ll learn: the secret to helping your child be more successful in school, athletics and life; how your words of praise may be harming your child; and two critical life skills your child must have.

For many parents, back talk and whining rate highly on the irritation scale. Learn how you can improve the way that you and your child communicate so you’ll both be happier!

Has your child come home sad and distraught because a peer was mean? Perhaps your child was called a name? Criticized? It’s painful to watch your child suffer from the taunts of another child. You may have wondered, “What’s the best way to handle this?” The best response is to empower your child. This class has 14 strategies that you can teach your child to get the results your child needs.

“How Understanding Your Child’s Temperament Can Make You a Better Parent”

Is one of your kids giving you a run for your money? Baffled as to why s/he can’t get with the program? It could be a temperamental trait that’s making it tough to parent this child. Come to this class to learn the nine temperamental traits, complete a free assessment and learn how to work with temperament rather than against it so you and your child can both be more successful.

“Helping Your Child with Transitions”

From starting kindergarten to getting dressed in the morning to the death of a loved one, your child will experience numerous transitions and losses during life. Find out the best tools for helping your child move through the process of change so you both feel less stress!

“EQ: Raise an Emotionally Intelligent Child”

Research studies are documenting that a child’s “emotional intelligence” is a better predictor of success than their IQ. Emotional intelligence is a learned response and parents are the best teachers. In this class, you’ll practice three methods for becoming an “emotion coach” parent so you can raise your child’s emotional intelligence!

“Parents: Reclaim Your Family Time!”

Research has proven that time spent with parents is one of the key protective factors in raising a well adjusted child. Yet, many societal influences are pulling our families apart. This two-hour seminar is for parents who want to reclaim their family time, would like concrete tools for making family time the number one priority and want to bring their family even closer.

“Managing Your Child’s Anger: Triggers and Solutions for Coping”

Has your child had a tantrum lately, thrown toys across the room or hit a sibling? Odds are that s/he has! Children’s anger can be exacerbating for parents. Come to this class to learn common triggers for a child’s anger, solutions for coping, and skills to teach your child so you’ll both be less frazzled!

“Relief for Homework Headaches”

This is a parenting class designed to help parents solve the most common homework problems. Parents will learn how the homework brain works, methods for identifying their child’s learning style and ways to make learning fun. Parents will leave the class with strategies for motivating their child, plans for creating rituals that provide consistency and a “checklist for change.” Come to “school” for 75 minutes and find relief that will last throughout the year!

“Create a Discipline Plan that Works!”

Consistent discipline is the bedrock of good parenting, yet many parents struggle to be consistent and find positive discipline methods that work. In this two-part class, you’ll learn 10 different positive discipline options to use with children 3-12 years of age. You’ll develop a personalized discipline plan for your family that will increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors. Come and find new solutions to nagging problems.

“Teaching Your Child the Value of a Buck”

Raising a child to be a fiscally responsible adult takes training from a young age. Learn how to get your child on the path to financial success with real-life, easy-to-implement strategies.

“Are You Listening?” 5 Great Ways to Connect With Your Child and Get Them to Comply!”

Do you ever find yourself repeating the same request over and over? Do you sometimes find yourself listening half-heartedly to your child while juggling 3 other tasks? Do you long for more meaningful conversations with your child? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then please join this stimulating discussion on ways to fine-tune the conversations you have with your child.

“How to Win the Chore Wars and Find Peace in the Family”

Ever have problems with your children doing chores? This 60-minute class will give you tips on how to motivate your kids, how to make it fun and hot to keep your plan working! Recent research has uncovered that one of the most important predictors of your child’s success as a young adult is whether they participated in household chores! Participate in this class to get your child’s feet on the path to success and enjoy the benefits of a cleaner home!!

“Balanced and Lovin’ It: 8 Key Strategies for Improving Work Life Balance”

Feeling torn in different directions? Riddled by guilt? Rarely have time for yourself? This two-part class will help you examine your life and how happy you are with your current choices. Tools for assessing balance will be provided along with tips on how to take steps to live the life you want. (A one-part class is available, too.)

“Bullying Hurts Kids: How to Help Your Child Cope and Conquer”

The sad truth is that bullying is rampant in our children’s schools. Estimates are that half of all school children experience the stress and anxiety that results from bullying. Very practical, step-by-step ideas will be taught so that parents can leave with concrete tools for empowering their children.

“Parents: Reclaim Your Couple Time!”

In today’s busy world, many couples find their lives revolving around their children’s activities. Time to connect as a couple seems like a luxury few can afford. If you’re a couple who’d like to reclaim time with your spouse, please join us for this class. This 2-hour class will allow couples to focus on each other, and to develop a concrete plan to enrich their lives together.


	“I just wanted to let you know that this has been, hands down, the single best series of classes I've ever attended. Please bring Toni back SOON!!! Thank you!” Andrea B. Hedtke


	“Toni is a wonderful and caring instructor and person - we were so lucky to have her as our instructor.” Annette Arce


	“We have had the privilege of working with Toni Schutta numerous times at General Mills. Each and every time parents have been very happy with the classes and in fact, for the 5-part series’ that Toni has presented at General Mills, the parents gave her perfect marks! She’s knowledgeable, warm and easy for parents to approach. We couldn’t be happier with the work that Toni has done for us.” Lisa Taylor, President, General Mills’ Parenting Club

Option 1: “Raise a Responsible Child” 5-Part Series
Option 2: “Parenting Together” 5-Part Series
Option 3: “How to Handle Tough Parenting Challenges” 5-Part Series

Class 1: “The New Self-Esteem: Creating a Mindset for Success in Your Child”
Class 2: “Money Matters! Teach Your Child the Value of a Buck”
Class 3: “How to Win the Chore Wars and Find Peace in the Family”
Class 4: “EQ: Raise an Emotionally Intelligent Child”
Class 5: “Homework Success”

Class 1: “Keeping Attachment Strong”
Class 2: “Get Your Child to Listen the FIRST Time!”
Classes 3 and 4: “Create a Discipline Plan that Works”
Class 5: “Proven Strategies for Reducing Sibling Hassles”

Class 1: “How Understanding Your Child’s Temperament Can Make You a Better Parent”
Class 2: “Children’s Anger: Triggers and Solutions for Coping”
Class 3: “How to Reduce Back Talk and Whining”
Class 4: “Got Defiance? 21 Ways to Gain More Compliance”
Class 5: “Helping Your Child with Transitions

FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS


	“Thank you so much for this life changing course! I know it’s what I needed to gain the confidence to be strong and help my children grow into respectable, kind, loving and confident adults.” Heather Schroeder


	“Your class was filled with lots of parent interaction. You valued our responses and were so positive. You were never preachy and used humor and real-life experiences to bring your points across. Thanks!” Sue Navratil


	“I know of an excellent resource for parenting seminars here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area – Toni Schutta. Toni did a session for our employees and they loved her and the content in her materials.” Angela Spinler


	“I thought this series of classes was great! I’ve made many changes to my parenting as a result of this class. I’m connecting on a deeper level with my kids and telling them more often how special they are to me. I’m looking at anger triggers in myself and with my children and we’re having fewer outbursts. I’m incorporating ideas for increasing their self-esteem, which will be a life-long gift for me to give them. Thanks so much for everything.” Diane Esch


	“This was the most productive use of my lunch break ever! I feel better knowing that other parents share these problems and I learned many practical tips that I’m using with my daughter.” Mary Borndale


	“I think everything covered in the class was useful! I particularly like the real-life experiences that people shared, the topics on self-esteem, positive discipline and the suggested reading materials. It was a very good class for me to take. I feel more confident in approaching tough parenting choices, our family is having more fun and I’m regularly using new ways to show my family that I love them. We’ve had a reduction in whining, my daughter has fewer meltdowns and we do not hear an automatic “no” to our requests anymore, which is good!” Marcie Meyer


	“I’ve attended several of Toni’s parenting classes and she puts A LOT of useful information in each class, addresses everyone’s questions, and keeps the class moving along. I felt like I had a one-on-one counseling session in a group setting! I left each class with something I could take home and implement into our family life right away.” Trish Pitcher

Toni Schutta is a National Speaker, Author, Radio Host, Parent Coach and Licensed Psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Psychology and 15 years experience helping families find solutions that work. She’s been featured in national media such as Parents, First for Women, and Woman’s World and is a frequent guest on radio and TV shows. She’s the mother of two wonderful children and a certified graduate of the Mentor Coach Foundations Program. Individual parent coaching sessions are also available.

To book a class, please call Toni Schutta at 612-810-8687 or send an email to: toni@familiesfirstcoaching.com