"We were having some challenges with our daughter's behaviour and were looking for some advice on how to deal with it. Barb's suggestions were very helpful, she provided insight on why our daughter might be acting the way she was and offered ideas on how to set boundaries and allow are daughter to express herself.

Thanks again!" - Catharine Vancouver, BC

"I signed up for Barbara's "Coach On Call" service. This was my first time using a parenting coach. I can tell you I walked away with some very useful tools. Barbara made our sessions very comfortable and she put me at ease. The exercises that she gave me was extremely helpful and it allowed me to improve my parenting skills.

If you are looking for a parenting coach, Barbara Desmarais is your lady. Her professionalism and her experience speak for itself. Thank You Barbara!" - Tally Green (www.healthywomencafe.biz)

"Thank you for taking some time to talk to me about my parenting issues, it gave me more confidence to follow through and stick with my plan for dealing with my 4 year old son. I think he has gotten the hint that Mom is not negotiating anymore and he actually seems happier, too. It helps that my husband is home now, too. My 19 month old daughter is a little slower to adjust to me not giving in to what she wants but I have faith that she will be better soon. The sibling issues are a little better, too and I am now more conscious of not just how much individual attention I give to each of them but also that it is given in a way that is meaningful to them individually." - Alison

"Working with Barb has really increased our clarity and confidence as parents. Her reflections on the daily and weekly trials of parenting -- whether it's confronting a tantrum or feeding a reluctant eater -- have helped us discover what we're doing well and learn how to troubleshoot the areas that need improvement." - Alexandra Samuel and Rob Cottingham

"I wasn't enjoying being a mother as much as I thought I should be. I would look at other moms and they would seem so 'together'. I didn't feel 'together' at all. Barbara helped me to realize that I needed to abandon what I thought I 'should be' and just 'be' and 'do' what was right for me, my husband, and my daughter. How could something so simple have such an impact? No two mothers are the same, no two fathers are the same, and no two children are the same. Rocket science? Nope. Ingenious? You bet! – Especially for a career woman who is used to being in control and striving for perfection. Thanks Barbara for the wake-up call and for all of your tips on infant/toddler behaviour." - A. Porter

"From our first conversation, Barb focused on what I was doing right as a mom. Her confidence in that was so real I couldn't help but believe it, too. Over the course of our time together, I became more and more the person she thought I could be -- calmer, more loving and more in control. Barb, I thank you, and my children thank you!" - Elea Carey

"Having Barb as my parent coach was the best thing I did for myself and my family.

She helped and encouraged me to be the best woman, wife and mother I can be. She was always positive in our phone conversations and was respectful of my values and beliefs. I highly recommend Barbra Desmarais as a parent coach because I believe that she is an invaluable resource for every family and person.

Barb, even though you have directed me in the right path in terms of raising by two beautiful boys (four years and ten months old), I am sure that I will be needing your expertise and advice at their later stages of development. Thank you so much Barb for doing what you do everyday." - Shirin

"I started working with Barb because I was having a difficult time parenting - in all aspects. With two small children (aged 2 and 3), I didn't know how to handle the chaos, the whining, the arguing, or even just the simple stalling before bedtime. I resorted to hollering and threatening (to take toys away, to not go to playgroup, etc.), and realized I was more miserable afterwards, and the situation was never resolved.

Barb helped me, step by step, to focus on the good things I was doing, and helped me better what I wasn't doing so well. But, she did it without judging me, without being condescending, and by supporting and encouraging me for trying.

I thought I was a horrible mom, and Barb allowed me to see that although I made mistakes, I could fix them. She consistently reminded me the babies would forgive my mishaps, and that I was starting to make much better parenting decisions. As a single mom, with more love for my children than I'll ever be able to express, asking Barb for help and guidance, was the best thing I did to jumpstart a better life for all of us."- Kimberly Fletcher

"I just had my last session with Barb Desmarais (parenting and life coach).   It has been a life changing experience for me.  I found her information on the internet while doing some research on how to handle my 5 year-old. 

I had been sharing custody of my son with my ex-husband, week on week off, since he was 1-1/2 yrs.  I was now going to become a full time mom, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get some help with the adjustment, as well as, to guide me in regard to consistency and discipline.

For 8 weeks, Barb helped me through every situation.  We talked for an hour (sometimes longer) about things that happened that week.  Some of the issues we addressed were interactions my son and I had, how I handled them and how he reacted.  Barb has been wonderful, she would listen quietly and then recap what I had told her, giving me some different ways to look at the situation and helping me to focus on what was really important. 

She would give me 'out of the box' ideas and different perspectives, but never forgot to point out what I did right.  I was amazed at how well her ideas worked and how much more control and peace I felt after handling the situations differently.  I feel like I have the tools now to pick my battles and raise my son in a healthy environment.  Barb also coached me on my personal life.   She took the time to help me on how to deal with difficult situations with my ex-husband and his new wife as well as finding out what my dreams and goals are and encouraged me to go after them and never give up.  She was always positive and encouraging.  I can’t say enough about the impact Barb has had on my life.  I will always be thankful to her for her support, comforting voice and encouraging words.

Thank you Barb!" - Charity Bacon

"As a stay-at-home mom with a two year-old, Barb made it really convenient for me by providing her coaching services over the phone. In those 30 minutes, I always got Barb's best. And at the end of every session, she always left me with something to ponder, which positively affected the rest of my day, if not week. I highly recommend Barb's coaching services. Taking sometime every week to work on myself helped me be a better parent. Thanks!" - Ziba

"I came to Barb in a time of crisis as a newly divorced single Mom. Barb helped me to focus on my positive parenting skills and helped me see life's solutions rather than life's problems. Barb's coaching gave me new skills that helped me immediately, and she always had a trick up her sleeve that helped me recognize things I didn't even know I knew!" - Kirsten, mom of 4 year-old twin boys

"Barb focuses on the whole person and is able to get to the point. The six sessions helped me be a better parent to my daughters." - Eileen Marshall

"My husband and I had some concerns regarding our 3 year old (behavior and social issues).We signed on with Barb for 4 consecutive, weekly, 1 hour sessions. Barb listened to our concerns and provided us with strategies. We found her compelling, compassionate and encouraging. Her emphasis on the importance of consistency helped us as parents and as a family. Barb in her gentle nature kept us on track and we got so much out of these sessions. They were most productive." - Mike and Lisa

"Working with Barb has allowed me to have confidence again in myself as a person and as a parent." -Jill Carney

"Barb was wonderful and really helped improve our relationship with our children and each other. My husband and I had different approaches to parenting and disciplining our 3 year old and it was causing tension in our family. We were also concerned about the sibling rivalry between our 3 year old and 1 year old. Barb was very supportive and insightful and gave practical suggestions that improved our lives dramatically." - D. & L.

"I learned more from Barb in 8 sessions than I have from various other counsellors and groups. She kept me on track and focused on what needed to be addressed in my life and personality so I wouldn't keep making the same mistakes that always ended up hurting me. After living with a partner who is alcohol addicted and with power and control issues, the support and encouragement I felt through our exercises and role playing really gave me the confidence to make the necessary changes on my journey to happiness. I have already passed Barb's name on to a few friends and will continue to do so. The whole coaching process is fantastic and the results are much faster and positive compared to other forms of counseling I have tried in the past. My children will benefit by the suggestions and ideas Barb gave me and having tested a few ideas such as allowances, I can already see how empowered they are and how our relationship has grown.

I will never forget Barb. I will always remember her wonderful smile, warm personality and great coaching abilities. I looked forward to each and every session with her." - Rosalind Reid

"Thank you Barb, for all your support. I used to hate night time and my stomach would be upset just thinking about it. You staying on the phone with me that first night for an hour and a half really got me through. It was an unbelievable moment when I realized he had fallen asleep by himself. Knowing that you were there for me for the next few nights to get me through until I was confident, was fantastic support. We now put him to bed @ 8pm and have the rest of the night to ourselves. We can't thank you enough for helping to teach Esher to fall asleep by himself, and for giving us back our evenings. With this new confidence I am not so terrified to have a second child." - Mandeep Sira

"Barb's astute insight and support helped me to focus on my goals and to move me forward in my life to a place I am happy with. Her empathy, understanding, and knowledge astounded me and truly helped me to see unproductive patterns in my life. She really listened and used techniques to move me toward a place of growth and understanding. Barb's coaching was very effective in motivating me to move from a place of stagnation to an active and positive stage in my life and I have recommended her services to friends and family." - Nancy Higgs