Inner Circle Testimonial Page
I think that your programme offers a sort of one-stop shop for mamas. With your thought through step-by-step programme, which takes into account lots of different specialists' knowledge and research plus your own experience, here is a more organised way for me to implement all the wisdom out there; previously it was on a piecemeal basis of a bit here and a bit there from a book or an interview which resulted in small but not coherent or really effective changes.
I am aware now of all the difficulties we are facing in parenting. I hear that it is not because of some inherent fault with me. I feel supported in making changes with the weekly calls with like-minded mamas in the same predicament. There is momentum with zero judgement and it makes me hopeful for my vision of my family being realized.
If, no, WHEN these good changes are second nature and my little kids grow up to be happy, balanced big kids I will remember you!
A great, big, sincere thanks!
Marianne, IC5, Switzerland
Note: See her wonderful comments about how the Inner Circle program has helped her during the pandemic!
I remember the trepidation I felt 9 months ago when I was considering signing up for the Inner Circle. It’s a big financial and time commitment and I’d signed up to online causes before that I hadn’t engaged in and therefore hadn’t received value for money. My husband was worried it wasn’t the best use of our money, given the challenges we were having with our boys aged 3 and 6 at the time.
Fast forward 9 months and I am almost finished the course and with confidence I can tell you it has been money and time well invested. The support from Jacqueline and my Parent Coach in Training has been phenomenal. The support from other Inner Circle mum’s has also been great.
I am a much calmer mum. It’s now rare that I lose my temper and yell at my kids. My kids are still kids and their behaviour can frustrate me but I am much more aware of how to find what is behind their behaviour. I’m more comfortable letting them experience their emotions and being there to guide them through their feelings rather than needing to fix or avoid these feelings.
Although I am the one enrolled in the Inner Circle my husband commented that he has learnt so much about how to engage with the boys and help them through their challenges. Just the other night we caught each other’s eye and smiled as we were riding the wave of our six year olds tantrum. It did not stress us out. We gave him the support he needed and he quickly regulated his feelings and was able to continue on. Before the Inner Circle I would have had an emotional meltdown and my husband and I would have ended up arguing about how to handle the situation.
If you are a Mum living outside of the US and wondering if the Inner Circle works across time zones, it does. I live in Australia. My small group met at a time that worked for all of us - morning for me - evening for others. There were some larger group calls that occurred in the early hours of the morning for me but I was able to watch them on replay and get any support I needed through the Private Inner Circle community page. Geographical location is not a barrier to the success of the Inner Circle.
I am extremely glad I took the risk. My entire family has benefited from it.
Rebecca, IC5, Australia
I decided to join the Inner Circle because I cared about our kids and relationships in our family. The biggest benefit is I learnt how to care about myself. Now there is more playfulness at our home. I cope with stressful situations easily. Our greatest win is that we managed the beginning of kindergarten smoothly. I really enjoyed the IC calls. Jacqueline and her team have a great individual approach towards every mama in the program. Thanks to all of them for helping me to become a better mother and wife. Please do not hesitate to contact me, if you have any questions about this great program.
~ Jitka, IC5, Czech Republic
I began my journey with the Great Parenting Simplified back in 2010 when my oldest daughter was 6 and my youngest daughter was 3 1/2. I am forever grateful to the friend that referred me to it because it changed my course as a parent at that time.
The most memorable learning for me then was the power of listening with empathy and being present for my children’s big emotions. 21/2 years earlier, my youngest had been born with severe gut dysbiosis and the combination of the stress and lack of sleep that came with this, especially being timed with moving to a remote part of Alaska without any support and suffering from what I can see now as post-partum depression and my own health issues, my oldest daughter lost the mom she knew. I was exhausted, impatient, critical, sad and angry. So my being able to see her acting out her big emotions, as irrational as they seemed, as a cry for help and then to be present in those moments, letting her know that I was going to be there for her and love her no matter what, was a huge in helping us to heal.
Since then, the GPS, as I have touched into it over these past 9 years, has continued to guide me along the way, not only as a parent but also as a wife and as a human being. In 2017, I joined the IC4 at a time that I felt I really needed support for myself during a very challenging period of my marriage, a point where I thought we were definitely headed for separation. [In the process of turning it around] made all the difference to have the support and guidance of Jacqueline and the group.
FUN Update ** Jessica and her family are now off living the dream!! Family Wellness Wanderers - Yoga, Health, Travel is their website, and it shows a very intact, very high functioning family who are learning and growing together, while giving their gifts to the world!
So the GPS and Jacqueline have been there for me at these critical junctures in helping me to heal my relationship with my child and to heal my marriage and ultimately it has been, and continues to be, a journey into healing myself.
To that end, it seemed a natural evolution for me to become a parenting coach. This year I have joined 6 other moms as a Parent Coach In Training. I love being a part of a group of parents that are all on this same path, doing this work together, continuing the journey not only for our own families but to be able to help others as well. And just as I had no idea how much I would be changed even within a year after first joining the GPS 10 years ago, I am excited (and, admittedly, a little nervous) at what continued growth awaits me.
Jessica Bartolini, NY, USA (until recently!)
I was part of the IC5 group. I am so glad I took the step to join. Having weekly meetings and videos helps keep the ideas presented in the forefront of my mind. Which helps to practice them!
The biggest benefit for me was the creation of a new, safe community. Months after the formal program ended—I now have close connections with three amazing women, not including Jacqueline herself.
These ladies started out as Accountability partners and Listening partners. I can be honest with them. What I love is they hold a safe space to be real about my challenges, and more often them not, they have experienced similar things. They allow me to present my situation with no judgement, just encouragement.
I would recommended this program for all who strive for connection with their children and a more peaceful, respectful, and collaborative way to parent. Especially for those who struggle with challenging, yet wonderful children.
There is a lot of empathy, support, and solidarity from this group—a wonderful sense of community and sharing a special journey together.
~ Sharon, IC5, Canada
For me, the Inner Circle program was like being thrown a life line when I was floundering about in a sea of frustration, self doubt and despair. The program gave me information to make parenting make more sense, tools to help deal with situations and behaviours (mine and my kids!) and a supportive community that makes the journey so much more fulfilling and possible.
The Parent Coach in Training program is a continuation of this journey and if the Inner Circle was my life preserver, the PCIT program is like sailing on a luxury yacht! It has helped me to solidify a lot of my learning, gain greater understanding about my own and my kids needs and work more with the tools so that they become automatic habits. I have so enjoyed interacting and learning with the other PCITs and have been so inspired by the moms in my small group. It is an amazing experience and one that I can’t imagine finding any other place.
- Maureen, IC3, Calgary, Canada
“Joining the Inner Circle group was a decision I did not take lightly; however, I was ready to learn a new way to parent. A relationship focus between parent and child is what intrigued me. Changing our mindset of how you view your children in their struggles made a huge difference in dealing with my teenage son. I started the class with not even wanting to be in the same room with him. Now, I’m able to tolerate his emotional outbursts and see that he needs to do this to cope with the emotional overload for his growing brain. To go from seeing your child as defiant to seeing him as struggling was crucial for me to keep my heart open.
This parenting shift may raise eyebrows in your circle of family and friends, but I want to reassure you that there is a different way to parent your child in this modern world. I am forever grateful that this parenting group led me to so many different tools which I still have in my life today even though the course was finished. I have a listening partner which I meet with once a week over the phone. I also have a lovely group of four to five moms who meet via video chat to keep us accountable to the tools and concepts we learned in the Inner Circle class.
Jacqueline is extremely generous, authentic and empowers a mom no matter where she is on her journey to embrace a new way of parenting. If you find yourself struggling with parenting and have tried rewards and punishment strategies to get compliance, I encourage you to sign up for the Inner Circle. If you do the homework and keep yourself accountable with the other moms in the circle, then you will find yourself rewarded with joy, peace, and support in your role as a parent.” ~ Millie M., Virginia
What makes Jacqueline’s course different?
There are a lot of options available to get help in parenting – books, webinars, videos, etc. What makes Jacqueline’s course different? What makes it effective?
1. A Complete, Consistent, and Coherent set of parenting techniques. She reconciles a lot of different parenting advice into a single set of guidelines and parenting techniques – a road map that can (and is!) summarizable in one page. I have read lots of parenting books, and while many of them were helpful, this is the first one that acknowledges that there is inconsistent guidance out there, and sorts through it all, taking the best of it all and making it coherent and complete. And for the first time, I have confidence that I know what I am supposed to be doing, in just about every situation I encounter as a mom.
2. Learning to Stay Calm. The most important focus is on learning how to stay calm, and avoid getting triggered. It’s one thing to know what to do, and then there is actually doing it. One of the most important areas of focus in the course is learning to use a technique called “The Work” by Byron Katie. It has really helped me to stay calm with son and stepchildren when my buttons are pushed. And it has affected every other relationship in my life. My relationship with my husband is stronger, and I am calmer and more able to deal with the rest of life’s stresses.
3. Personal Coaching. I have read lots of parenting books, but I have not always been sure where and how to apply what guidance to a particular personal situation. With Jacqueline’s personal coaching, I have had as much access as I could have possibly wanted to someone who always had good suggestions, and who helped me figure out some approaches to my particular challenges.
4. An incredibly supportive network of moms. One of the best things about this course was that no matter how I screwed up, my challenges and disappointments were met with positive support. This of course starts with Jacqueline herself. No matter what, she saw the good in me, and encouraged me to pick myself up and keep going. She cheered all my successes, and challenged me to do more than I thought possible. And the rest of the women in our tight group followed her lead. I knew that no matter what issue I brought to the group, it would be met with warmth and support. It has become a real safe space for me, and I think, for all of us.
And the bonus, after all of that, is all the new people and ideas that I have been introduced to, I still can’t get over how much more outlook on life has changed for the better.
I have tried lots of things in my life to become a better person, but this is the first thing in lots of years that has really resulted in massive change. I’m not yet where I want to be, but I know for sure that I am on the right path. In short, joining Jacqueline’s Inner Circle has been the best money I have spent in my life.
~ Brenda, Maryland, mama of three including two stepchildren
“I’ve tried many parenting methods in my 17-years of parenting…one-on-one coaching, self-guided programs, webinars, books. I was on the fence about committing to the IC program …up until the morning of our first call. I am so thankful that I decided to participate. Jacqueline is a skilled teacher, facilitator, and listener. So incredibly grateful for the work she does! She has opened my mind and heart to this journey of parenting and inner growth. The level of support from Jacqueline and Sally, as well as from the other moms in the program, has been generous and sustaining… and is what makes this program so unique.
There is such power in the group format. The vulnerability and honesty and growth that I have witnessed in our group has been truly remarkable. There is progress, inquiry, and growth every week...there is growth in sharing our stories…there is growth in supporting each other. Being part of Jacqueline’s inner circle has challenged me, softened me, and bolstered me with hope. I would enthusiastically recommend this program to any parent who values this most beautiful and important relationship. As an added bonus, our work with Jacqueline as part of the Inner Circle also helped to shed light on all the relationships in our lives.
In gratitude”,
L. Berry, Chicago, IL, mama of 3, two girls and a boy
for them. I was failing them in some way and needed help, but I didn’t know where
or what to do to get that help I needed. I joined GPS years ago and was a follower of
Jacqueline Green, but I couldn’t dive into the tools like I wanted to and really apply
them in my life . I just so happened to come across an email with an invitation to the
INNER CIRCLE. It was exactly what I needed and has been THE BEST investment I
ever made. I didn’t realize what I was lacking most in my parenting journey was
SUPPORT. And the understanding that I am THE PERFECT parent for my kids and
that I am exactly what they need. I just needed to understand and believe it myself.
The tools and guidance by the Inner circle has changed my mindset, my parenting
and thus allowed for massive growth for my kids (ages 9 and 10) with so much, but
most specifically my son’s anxiety – it’s almost completely gone! We are a year in
and have propelled beyond what I could have ever imagined and will keep going
because I have the resources and support to stay UNSTUCK! The result is joy, love
and overall confidence that I’ve got this and it’s our journey together. I am grateful.
~Karen Lause, California, mama of a boy and a girl
“Joining the Inner Circle was a difficult decision, because of the time and money commitment, but I am so glad I went ahead with what I knew in my gut was the right thing to do to help myself improve my parenting skills. I am now honing these skills and being kind to myself when I make a mistake , and am receiving great positive reinforcement from Jacqueline and this supportive group of moms from around the world. I am feeling closer to my children and we are all happier.” ~ Eileen, NY, New York
“I’ve listened to Jacqueline’s interviews for many years and always loved her statement at the beginning of the show “you are your child’s best parent” (or something like that). No matter how messed up you feel, you know your child better than any “expert” and to honor your parent power and wisdom by supplementing with experts is not a weakness, that getting support and guidance is a good thing.
I am a parent of a 14 yo girl and 16yo boy who are great kids! They are thriving physically, socially, academically. Teachers, friends, community members often complement me a what great kids I have raised. I feel really good about our mother/ child relationship and find parenting them a rewarding, joyful experience.
Why would I seek out the IC group? I was hitting bottom with my co-parenting husband of 19 years. His “old school” patriarchal style of parenting was not working for me or my teens and I was at a loss of what to do next. Dad was feeling disrespected and left out. Kids were feeling disrespected and dismissed. Mom was feeling caught in the middle. I had tried everything I knew how to and we were stuck. Jacqueline listened to my story on a phone call and felt that I would benefit from the IC group experience. I think a big reason it has helped so much was me making the huge time commitment, it is not a quick fix…it took 16 years to get to this point, it was going to take time to get to another point. I’m 7 months in and am reaping so many benefits from the group support, written/tangible resources and great facilitating by Jacqueline. My co-parenting relationship with my husband is definitely improving and my parenting relationship with my teens has benefitted in ways I didn’t even know possible.
Our co-parenting is working better because of the things I’ve learned about being open and listening and finding clarity around the things that trigger me. My husband’s parenting isn’t “All bad” (and I am not ALL good); it took me being less defensive to see the value of what he brings to our parenting relationship. I’ve also found ways to discuss some of these differences with my teens in a manner that is respectful to both kids and parents. My kids are at the age where they are able to see and live in a way that honors knowing that you can disagree with someone without being disrespectful, a tricky line to hold with such a powerful Daddy is staring them down wanting submission ….but he’s feeling the difference too and is starting to be proud of them for knowing themselves well and trusting that they still love him and that he’ll ALWAYS BE THE DAD.
I love being a mom, thank you for being a comforting part of this great life journey.” ~ Mary from MN
“The IC helped me realize I wasn’t alone on this parenting journey.
There were other mamas all over the world in need of support and shoulders.
The IC is like a tiny army of warrior mamas suiting up for the battle (which is really raging in ourselves) to conquer the things that destroy our inner peace: guilt, self-loathing, anger, depression, anxiety – which hugely impacts our parenting and relationships with our family.
Led by fearless captain Jacqueline, the group has each other’s back during this season of life and will not surrender till every last momrade has found her own personal victory. Some battles end quickly, some are continual, and some die out only to resurface later. But with Jacqueline’s guidance and the IC’s support, you’re never alone.” ~Laura
Testimonials
Here are two moms' experience of a take stock session:
For me, I've been in a frame of mind where I am desperate for advice and help with my parenting attitude. I have felt for so long that I'm just a shell of the person I used to be, and have been so serious and grumpy with my kids for what seems forever. I have been struggling with the same problems, the same triggers, and the same explosive anger at my kids from what has felt like an uncontrollable and un-preventable 0-60 kind of a rush of anger, seemingly coming from nowhere. I've tried so many books, mama's book clubs, but haven't felt like I could ever actually find answers for MY problems.
When you offered a Take Stock session with me, my initial feelings were of shyness and feeling out of my comfort zone as I am an introvert. However, I'd just finished watching the daily Pause Button Challenge and felt like everything you said in those videos was like throwing out a lifeline to me. As if you were right there, validating my feelings and giving me huge relief in your reassurance that this is so common and normal and the problems aren't ME. I really needed to hear that. And you were so honest with your own struggles in parenting that I felt less ashamed to share my struggles with you. It felt scary waiting for my appointment time but the instant you called you were warm, businesslike, with no awkward smiling silences, but warm smiling welcomes! You got straight into a conversation with me as if we were already picking up from a past conversation, as you already knew so much about me from the form I filled out which took away the "new meeting" anxiety for me. It was such a validating and healing conversation. The biggest thing for me was that it truly made me step back and look at my whole big picture of what my struggles in parenting have not only done to me now, but what my life and my family and relationships will look like in the years to come. I have spent so much time worrying about how my kids will turn out that I never once stopped to reflect on what I will look like, and how much I will either wither or grow and flourish. I have never had the opportunity to fully reflect like that, and with the guidance of your questions I felt like I could step back and have so much compassion on myself, my husband, and my children. It was such a gift of time and space to truly see what currently feels like I'm drowning, to realize it doesn't have to be that way and that I can change things, and with help I can learn exactly what to do. What a feeling of relief! And I have to see, just since having this conversation with Jacqueline I have been able to enjoy my children more, to feel more curious about their behavior and to feel more accepting of the phase that we are in. (Plus my husband and I instantly starting using the phrase "Next Time' and have been able to use it SO OFTEN since then, which kept us in a calm place rather than growing in annoyance! Hooray!)
So thank you Jacqueline, so much, for being such a compassionate listener as well as truly understanding the hearts and plights of us struggling, lonely mamas who have really felt like there is no one to turn to for help!
Kimberly :)
The strategy session along with the follow up, was invaluable and well appreciated. Just speaking to Jacqueline and Michelle on my parenting issues and struggles with such a personal one on one conversation has helped shifted me.
I see the Inner Circle is the place for me although at this time I am unable to join, I want to thank you for the time and interest you provided during the sessions. I will continue to follow the GPS finding support, empathy and knowledge on my parenting journey. ~ Majestic Rogers, Mass, USA