Heather Rutherford

I am an experienced parenting educator and a co- parenting specialist but first and foremost I am Mum. I have three wonderful children and on this incredible journey I've learnt more from them about parenting and probably most importantly about myself, than I would ever have imagined possible.

I set up The Parenting Partnership in 2016. I signed up for my first parenting course in 2006 when I realised that we needed support to manage our young son’s impulsive, persistent, and challenging behaviour. The tools and skills that I learned helped transform our young family. I saw, amongst many things, how vital it is to understand a child's temperament and emotional world before addressing their behaviour while communicating more consistently, calmly, and positively.  I am now a much happier parent, and probably more fun too! No more shouting, less questioning myself or wondering how to discipline. I am happy in my parenting skin knowing that I won't always get it right , but I have the tools to give it my best shot. Everything I've learned has been invaluable in helping me navigate my family through cancer and divorce.

I'm fascinated by the science behind how we parent and deciding that I wanted to learn more and help other families, I trained with the fabulous team at the Parent Practice to become a licensed certified educator. I am a partner coach at Careering into Motherhood, a Care for the Family licensed facilitator, a co- parenting specialist and the parenting consultant at the school's advisory service, Talk Education.

I specialise in supporting parents who are divorcing, helping them to understand and focus on their children's needs. Divorce does not need to be the end of a thriving family with content resilient kids who feel deeply connected to both their parents but it does take understanding and hard work.

A little bit more about me: I was born In England, grew up in the US and worked in finance for over 20 years both in New York and London. I have a BA in French and Politics and an MBA from London Business School.  When not writing blogs, coaching parents or speaking, I love playing tennis, padel and spending time with my three kids, family and friends and walking our two labradors, Alfie and Ernie in the Cotswolds.