A Matter of Perspective
The Power of Humor

Into Action
Challenge yourself to be your best friend.

Modern Mom Spotlight
A series of real life examples of moms who are finding balanced success.

New Offering
Vibrant Mother©
Coaching Program

Bio
Who is Corrine Bucher?

The Power of Humor

Chance, my five-year old daughter, has become defiant. I'm aware that this is a normal stage of her development and that she's testing her level of control, but that knowledge doesn't keep me from reacting emotionally to her constant challenging of my authority. In the moment, she needs to get dressed and in the car to get to school on time; I can't hear myself saying, "She's in the defiant stage," to her teacher in explaining why we're late. That Chance is, by nature, a truly kind-hearted little girl makes it all the more frustrating. It is times like these that make parenting feel like running a marathon without having trained for it.

Threatening various forms of punishment -- a time-out to taking away her beloved pink bunny -- only causes her to resist more, leaving us both on the verge of tears. Finally, I step back and consider the big picture: She is a five-year-old experimenting with her social skills. This isn't a personal attack on me. She's not questioning my fitness as a mother. She's just being a five-year-old. This realization allows me to relax. I tell her, in a loving, teasing voice that I don't believe she's really upset. The look in her eye tells me she recognizes this truth. We're both smiling now. A tickle fight ensues and we both end up laughing on the floor.

Now humor will not always work. There never will be one simple solution to the challenges of being a parent. But by stepping back and disengaging from a battle of wills, I was able to actually draw closer to my daughter, connect with her and, ultimately, achieve what we both wanted: understanding.

Taking this a step further, I invite you to look at how you treat yourself. Are you frustrated or angry with yourself? Is that frustration or anger only compounding your tension and making it harder to resolve the issue at hand? I typically find that whatever attitude I take toward my children is a reflection of how I'm treating myself. When I accept myself for who and where I am and not who or where I want to be, I function far more efficiently -- and serenely.

I invite you to take a look at how you treat yourself. Take out a piece of paper and write down your answers.

1. Think back over the last 48 hours. What are some of the things you have been saying to yourself. An example may be, “you are not doing enough” or “you are doing it wrong”.

2. On your sheet of paper make 2 columns. In the first column, list all the things you are saying to yourself. Are they kind or punishing? Notice the messages that you are giving yourself.

3. In the second column, list all the positive messages you would give to your best friend. Now imagine how your level of serenity and happiness would be affected if you were giving yourself those messages!

4. Challenge yourself to be your best friend!

Please write me and let me know what you learned!
Corrine@corrinebucher.com

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Katja Rimmi of Katja Rimmi Interiors
www.katjarimmi.com

After a formal art education, I found my way into the world of software design at a very exciting time in the industry. After a dozen years of designing products, I found myself overseeing the design team at Adobe. It was a whirlwind of travel, constant learning, and wonderful friendships with my colleagues. But I reached a critical point of burnout after my son was born and I just couldn't juggle it all. This forced me to face my inner doubts about my career which had become more about PowerPoint presentations to executives and less about design. My need to spend more time with my son and my desire to return to hands-on design coalesced into a new vision for my life.

I hired a coach and developed a strategy for exiting the corporate world gracefully and starting my own consulting business as a designer. I felt I had done all I wanted to do in software design. I had always loved interior design and the time felt right to indulge that passion. Three years ago, I launched my business and never looked back. I have been blessed to have had a steady stream of interesting and challenging client projects. I have also been fortunate enough to have a second child, a baby girl. Life is full now.

What is your top tip for balancing it all?
I used to try to achieve a sense of balance on a daily basis and I found it so discouraging. I always felt as though I was coming up short. Now, I've come to realize that it's fine for me to have some weeks that are focused more on work and others that are focused more on the kids. This is a more forgiving approach that acknowledges the reality of my life. It allows me to dive into my work at times and at other times to indulge my desire to spend quality time with my children. I just try to tune in to how I am feeling (and how the children are feeling). The one thing that I try to be consistent about is exercise. I have two Labradors who are my personal fitness trainers ;-) They force me to get onto the coastal trail at dawn everyday and this has become valuable "me" time.

How has being a mom impacted your success?
It has sharpened my focus. If I am going to spend time away from my children, it had better be for something I am really passionate about!

What is your best mommy moment?
When I was expecting our daughter, I was in the midst of several large remodel projects with my clients. Things were really hectic but I had carefully planned the tasks I would complete in the weeks leading to her birth. I envisioned my client work being complete and being able to take time away to focus on the baby. Well, you can guess what happened next. My daughter arrived early. There I was in labor, still desperately trying to tie up loose ends with my projects. I was actually placing calls to my contractors between contractions! Well, that was just my baby's way of mocking my attempt to control the universe ;-)

P.S. Life has been hectic so my website is sadly out of date. If you would like to see current work, just check by by end of November. It will be updated before Thanksgiving.

I am putting the final touches on my new coaching program, The Vibrant Mother©, specifically designed for mothers wishing to feel more vibrance, energy, and clarity.

Three Offerings:

1. The Vibrant Mother© Group Coaching in Half Moon Bay (3 months)
The 3rd Tuesday of each month we meet as a group for 2 hours. You also receive one 45 minute individual coaching session each month.

2. The Vibrant Mother© Group Coaching Tele-class (6 months)
Designed to make it efficient and easy for busy moms to participate, this 6 month group tele-class will meet twice a month for one hour. A total of 12 group sessions.

3. Individual Coaching
Coaching is a powerful partnership that often leads to remarkable results. As a coach I provide structure, tools, accountability, and inspiration to move you forward.  

Please email me for more details, corrine@corrinebucher.com