Kirsten is one of the most talented parent educators I’ve worked with. Her ability to listen and respect caregivers really comes through in her presentations. Her wealth of knowledge and her compassion for the work of parenting are her trademarks.

Mary Robinson, Parent Outreach Coordinator, Family Connections Center

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m so glad I found your class. It’s made a world of difference in the way that the kids and I interact.

Greg, father of 3, Austin, Texas

I can’t begin to tell you how much the class, the support calls, and the tools have been working to change my life. I’m facing (with full emotion) years of trauma that (despite years of therapy) had not yet been dealt with. I am completely convinced that the practice I’ve gained through the listening and sharing, created within me the strength and confidence to face the yucky stuff in my past. I see a totally free woman emerging.  I sincerely appreciate your work and support.

Tara, mother of two, Phoenix, Arizona

My husband and I recently took Kirsten’s Hand in Hand Starter Class. Kirsten’s compassionate, playful and insightful understanding of children (and their parents!) was nothing short of relieving for us. We can suddenly comprehend, appreciate, and have tools to deal with our son’s day-to-day excitements and frustrations. She helped us to get out of our own way and be the kind of parents we knew we could be. Now we have the free attention to really enjoy this age and the precious time we have with our little one, while he’s still little!

Jennifer, Austin, Texas

Each year we begin with a staff training session and it has to be a great one. I look for something to fire everyone up, give them great ideas, and get the creativity juices flowing. Kirsten came highly recommended, has excellent credentials, and we were not disappointed. She is adept at tuning into the needs and interests of her audience. Her manner is respectful, easy, and extremely knowledgeable, she relates to her audience in a way that opens them up and has them involved in the presentation. I poll staff…Kirsten Nottleson was the number one choice as being valuable and hopefully a repeat presentation. I hope to make it our standard Orientation Training.

Sharon Coleman, Director, Westlake United Methodist Preschool, Austin

This class was very critical for me. It helped me to not loose connection with my son in the midst of very heavy stream of life and to not lose the right mind set on him, by playing with him and listening to know his needs and wants at this time. I am very thankful for the offering and help.

Shadi, mother of a teen, CA

I appreciate Kirsten’s counsel so, so much! She got me just where I needed to go. I was all bubbly and effervescent when I came out of the room and joined my family, and I saw my kid’s eyes sparkle with marvel over my relaxed and clear attitude. I love it!!!

Mariana, mother of 2, Germany

Unlike other parenting classes I have taken that are heavy with theory, this course was full of practice and practical examples of how to work through difficult times with my children. I learned concrete tools that I use daily to understand what is happening when my children or I go off track and actions to take to keep the connection.

Rebekah, mother of 2, Austin

Parenting by Connection has been by far the best approach to understand and connect with my kids. We listen better to each other and to our emotions. We have become less judgmental and critical and more compassionate towards our children and ourselves in our conquest to become better parents every day. By recognizing our kids desire to love and be loved, to be in balance and in peace though their behavior may say the contrary, we have come to a much deeper awareness and appreciation of who they are as human, emotional beings, whether they are few weeks old or seven years old, or teenagers. Though hard at times to fit in our lives, play is much more important in our lives and continues to be a personal journey that helps us become less “right” and more connected. I truly recommend the Starter Class to anybody that deals with kids. Kirsten is a wonderful role model on the Hand in Hand Approach and creates a safe environment to explore our values and beliefs around parenting.

Leyla, mother of 3, Austin

Kirsten’s parenting classes were an enjoyable and even enlightening experience. I learned something about myself and/ or my two daughters at every class. She gave me ways of connecting with my older daughter, disciplining more effectively, exercising our bodies and brains, and handling tantrums, and provided out of the ordinary solutions that are relevant, practical, and immediately usable to make our lives better, backed up by references to various studies on children, brain research and human development. I got a lot of encouragement, and realized that only a couple of small changes can make a big difference in my abilities as a parent.

Eleanor, parent, Austin

Everyone who has attended walks away with great information and skills that they can apply right away. She is very good at keeping everyone’s attention and definitely keeps the training fun! I highly recommend her for any center that is looking to perk up their staff with some great trainings!

Michelle Moran, Director, Circle C Child Development Center, Austin

Ravid & Kirsten saved my relationship with my teens! I was having a rough time in this adolescence  transition. With Ravid & Kirsten’s focus on connection over correction, I was able to relax and reconnect with my teens! Each class was informative, welcoming & warm!  Parents are allowed a safe place to show their struggles! You will not only gain insights into your relationship with your teen, you will gain insights into yourself as a parent. I am more relaxed and having way more fun with my terrific teens! This class is an A+!!!!

Jennifer B, mom in CA

I’m so glad I joined Kirsten & Ravid’s Tween parent group! They create such a warm and supportive space to connect over the joys and challenging of parenting at this critical stage. I feel like I have my own cheer squad! And the call anchors my week. I think of the group often when things are hard and it’s invaluable to know I’m not alone in navigating this stage in my kiddo’s life. I feel so much more connected with her and know I can stay close and support her well.

Ann R, Hand in Hand Parenting Candidate

Ravid and Kirsten provide a space for me each week in the skill-building class for tweens and teens where I feel that I am getting parented in order to parent my children! In this weekly space, I receive warmth, empathy, connection, compassion, attuned and attentive listening and insightful wisdom – all the emotional nutrition I need in order to provide that for my children! The community of parents in the group also gives me this.  I feel less alone in my parenting and I feel that shared bond and community, experiencing their support and also knowing that I am not the only one to have these struggles.  Ravid and Kirsten are full of experience, wisdom, insight and kindness – highly, highly recommend! 

Dr. Kirsty P, (DClinPsy)

I am so happy to heartily recommend Kirsten and Ravid’s groups and classes. I came into this wonderful warm parenting circle led by Ravid and Kirsten, feeling like my precious connection with my wonderful teen was slipping away—things were very bumpy and I felt at a loss how to recover and reconnect. The support and feeling of being seen, by a kind group of parents, has been priceless and I am so glad to hear these two wise, kind, funny and gentle mothers will be leading another class this fall—It’s become a place of peace and positivity each week and I go back to being able to be so much more warm, present and patient with my son after each call.

Allyson R, mom of teen in Kentucky

Kirsten and Ravid’s tween/teen class came at the perfect time. I was needing more support from people who share the same parenting values and priorities (which can get lost in the hyper competitive and academic community and schools we live in). The listening partnerships have turned my life and parenting around. I feel joyful and happy and able to laugh and joke with my teens more. We spend more quality time together. I know what to bring up and what to keep to myself, and feel more in flow with the changes they are experiencing. I am more regulated and more emotionally available for their present moment experience.
Thank you, Kirsten and Ravid, for creating this sacred space for us. 

Kiran, mom of two girls in Silicon Valley

I was able to finally get some Special Time going this week with my son, who has been so overwhelmed with school work and college-admit related activities.  We did it!! He was smiling and joking and I could feel a certain intangible sense of positive shift in our family.  Hooray for Hand in Hand hooray for Special Time and hooray for this group! Grateful!

Ally