young child covered in paint grinning

Sensory Smart Parenting: Unlocking Potential and Building Resilience

Peace of Mind Parenting provides expert guidance and powerful neuro-sensory tools to help CONCERNED and AWARE parents like you UNDERSTAND and SUPPORT your child’s unique behaviors and learning needs, allowing them to THRIVE, not just survive.

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Working with Melissa has been the best choice we’ve made for our son.

We were completely lost as to how to support our son with his sensory processing issues, and we were desperate for tools to help him flourish. Not only has Melissa helped our son become a more confident, capable, and resilient child, but she’s also helped us become more patient and empowered parents in meeting his needs. I can’t recommend her enough to fellow moms.

Jessica D

Sound familiar?

You wish you could stop having that “off” feeling in the pit of your stomach because you notice quirky behaviors, sensory issues, or intense emotional outbursts.

You feel like your parenting is the issue, so you constantly second-guess yourself! But you don’t know what to do different…..

You wonder, are other kids struggling like this? Is life this hard for other families? Is it because they are my first child? Or third child? Or my only boy? Or because they are left handed? Or because I was too anxious when I was pregnant?

You’re focused on raising a whole, resilient, engaged, joyful  kid and are willing to do whatever it takes.  You’ve read all the books, reached out to friends/family, and are trying everything in your power to make sure you “get this right.”

You’re tired of the pediatrician brushing you off and saying, “they’ll grow out of it” or “it's just a phase” or “stop worrying.”

You are tired of doing it alone, constantly second guessing yourself, and feel in your core that your child is falling through the cracks.

As every day goes by, you feel like you aren’t doing it right - you can never predict if a day will go smoothly or be utterly exhausting with your child. 

You know something’s off, but NO ONE will help you get where you need to go…like yesterday! 

our daughter has improved by leaps and bounds

“Melissa means so much to our family; our daughter has improved by leaps and bounds because of her expertise. Melissa is someone who is “all in” and truly cares about the details of our situation and our needs. She thinks outside of the box and is a master in her field. We are so thankful we found her." 

Courtney S

Someone forgot to give you the parenting manual?

Yep, me too. With experience as a medical based and school based pediatric OT, and later a mom (more details here), I FEEL THE STRESS of being responsible for a small human’s well being.  It’s often overwhelming and all encompassing…there is advice swirling…guilt building and judgment at every turn. 

Step out of the “parenting tornado” and embrace peace of mind

I’m a sensory expert here to help you…

Know that your parenting concerns are valid and real

There are science based strategies and tools, unique to your child, that can make a difference in their quality of life.

Understand the why Behind your child’s behaviors

When you dig beneath the behaviors and understand your child’s sensory challenges you become empowered to manage them & stop feeling depleted and overwhelmed.

Be Empowered with a sensory toolbox

Customize an evolving sensory toolbox of strategies to give you the confidence, knowledge & skills to support & advocate for the needs of YOUR resilient, whole child as they grow!

How I can help

Education is Power

Gain a fresh perspective on how to support your child’s sensory needs  BEFORE the “wheels come off” with my free 12-min video.

Watch today and hit the parenting refresh button!

1:1 OT Consult

Great for caregivers that need support figuring out how to support a child’s needs without losing their minds in the process!

Includes 60 minute 1:1 session. Investment $160

Let’s do this together!

Hi, I’m Melissa - a sensory expert & Occupational therapist

I love using my OT-Mom-Brain (newest clinical term 😉) to help sensory kids thrive. 

Hence, starting the Peace of Mind Parenting Community - a place where there is NOT a one size fits all approach to parenting, but instead a place to learn and customize a way of parenting that fits YOUR specific kid.  

These magical, sensory kids are often STRONG co-regulators which means however you feel, they feel too.  If I can help you feel confident, empowered, and at peace then the foundation of parenting has been established  and the world is our oyster.  

Parenting is hard, but it sure is worth it.  You don’t have to do it alone!

My superpowers include

  • Understanding neurological development on a deep level and ALL THE WAYS that can look in kids

  • Experience navigating the educational and medical systems that our kiddos depend on 

  • Preventing kids from falling through the cracks with the support of their people

  • Co-creating powerful toolboxes that facilitate resilience and higher self-esteem for kids, and less stress and exhaustion for caregivers

  • ALL OF THE ABOVE, all while keeping it real as a mom of 2 little kids,  that also has to function in THIS world while caring deeply for  *all of my kids.*

Check out my fresh perspective on how to support your child’s sensory needs - watch the free tutorial & hit the refresh button now…

Oh & don’t forget to tell me your superpowers - together we’re gonna be unstoppable!

12 minutes to learn how to proactively support your child. Sound too good to be true? Try it!

Common questions about sensory needs & behavior

  • I get it - I saw my children going through “stuff.” BUT, there IS A TIPPING POINT. If your child was bleeding, you get them a bandage. So, if your child is struggling with motor skills or play skills or self help skills, it is OK TO WANT TO HELP them. This does not make you a “helicopter parent.” It also DOES NOT mean something is wrong with your child and their future is doomed. It means you want to support your child, NOW.

  • YES! You are your child’s golden ticket to long-term success, and they are with you more hours in the day than anyone else.

  • We ALL HAVE SENSORY preferences. However, IF the intensity, duration, or frequency of the preferences are interfering with your child’s ability to participate fully in life… there IS something you can do about it.

  • You might also be asking yourself… My kid is clumsy, but we aren’t trying to raise an athlete, they can just be an engineer or work for NASA, right?These are some of my favorite kids - HIGH IQ and/or visual skills (think early readers or “observers”) and low motor skills or even ‘low AVERAGE’ motor skills. In this GAP, lies SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING (self confidence, anxiety, perfectionism, play skills…) and RESILIENCE. It matters.

  • I do not offer packages at this time, but we are always listening to our community! From my current experience, I do see positive change with my clients when we meet 2-3X/month over a three month period. We are able to do some trial and error and more in depth problem solving together, especially during a tricky time of the year (i.e., unstructured summers or the start of the school year).

  • One of the first questions I ask is “what is your goal for the next hour?” So, I am here to support your most pressing needs. It ranges from a specific time of day that is especially challenging (i.e., getting dressed) to a discussion about why a child may struggle with all transitions throughout their day.