NPR Interview with a Life Coach

 [Source]

Today, we have my best friend, the mom to my daughter, and someone who does a lot of good in this world. She would like to remain anonymous given the nature of her profession - there are a lot of laws and such that protect her and the people within her profession. But, she wanted to share a bit of what she does because more people should know so that they can become more informed about these types jobs and things that they might not understand.

So, best friend, tell me:

M: How old are you?
BFF: This year I will celebrate my 32nd birthday.

M: Tell us a bit about who you are outside of work?
BFF: I'm a coffee drinking, cat loving, thrift-shopaholic, mom of one, and aunt of many.

M: What do you do for a living?
BFF: Officially my title is “life skills coach” but it's more like “alarm clock, snack maker, nurse, mom, referee, cleaning lady”

M: How did you get involved in that field?
BFF: It was by accident. My college degree wasn't helping me much and another friend asked me to apply for the child care position available at a nearby residential foster care property.

M: How long have you been doing it?
BFF: This is my sixth year.

M: What is your favorite part?
BFF: When I get to see kids being kids and not stressed out about adult situations.

M: What is the hardest part?
BFF: Learning what terrible life events brought my kids to be in the home under my care.

M: What keeps you going when things get hard at work?
BFF: Knowing that I have became the adult that I needed when I was a kid. I get the blessing of teaching many young people that not all adults suck and some are worthy of their trust.

M: What type of a schedule do you keep given that you work only 3 days a week and you work 3rd shift?
BFF: Well… I sleep during the days before the nights I work. Then on my off days I sleep when I'm tired or not babysitting.

M: What did you go to college for?
BFF: My dream job massage therapy.

M: What do you like to do in your spare time?
BFF: At home I'm always listening to music while dreaming up some type of craft project or working on one of the many I have started. Also my houseplants are multiplying so I spend time finding ways to keep my two indoor cats out of them.

M: Is there anything you want people to know about what you do so that they can become better aware or things they might not understand?
BFF: The biggest thing I want people to know is that foster kids are just regular kids with a different experience of the world. They may have been through some rotten things and on their own have learned the best ways to survive. Often a kid will have trust issues and might act tough. They are the ones that need and want to feel wanted.

Great people come in all forms - this is one form that happens to help kids who need someone to love them unconditionally. Not many people can do this job and she does it with grace and comes by it honestly. We could all learn a lot from her.

I am thankful to have her in my life and thankful she loves my daughter and all of her other kids and nieces and nephews with her whole heart. 

                                       No Pants Required 

                                          By Mandy Zani