Sauk City resident hopes to help families through parenting program

Feb. 27-- Feb. 27--Parenting doesn't come with a how-to book. Questions, doubt and worry can plague the most seasoned couples even into their child's adulthood. That's where Mary Ann Marx can help.

The Sauk City resident and owner of True North Life Coaching has turned her online course, Game Plan Parenting into a locally-offered program with a goal of empowering parents establish a family structure based on their unique values, personalities and communication style.

"It's intended to help parents feel grounded and empowered," Marx said. When that happens, they are more aware of who they are as a parent and how best to interact with their child."

Marx created the program based on her own experiences with self doubt as a mother, step mother and grandparent.

"We can bring all the best research to the table but this is about allowing people to design their own best strategy," Marx said. "And we can all get there by removing the judgments people impose on us."

The program is offered over six weeks, with each week having a different area of focus. Themes such as parenting styles, family values, communication and getting through tough times are among them. The program is currently offered through 6:8, and Marx said she is hoping to be able to offer the series through other channels as well.

6:8 co-founder Sara Ramthun said Marx's parenting program was a good fit for the organization, which believes strengthening families ultimately helps to lift up the overall community. Ramthun and her husband ad partner John Ramthun took the class themselves to see what they could learn.

"My biggest takeaway was the suggestion to spend 15 minutes focused on one child and playing how they want to play, without an agenda and without interruptions," Sara Ramthun said. "When I do this my whole day is better. I can get dishes, laundry and even some work done since the boys aren't fighting for my attention. They have already had it fully so they can play by themselves for a little while, which is healthy, too."

Marx said there are people who struggle with parenting and those who do it well. "It's more about showing up as yourself," Marx said. "Confidence comes from vulnerability. It's about learning from your biggest challenges, your parenting style, what things work and what things don't."

The program is for parents of any background, whether they are expecting, have a new baby or have an adult child and every age in between.

"Mary Ann does such a good job tailoring the program to each person and each parent," Sara Ramthun said. "She doesn't give you the answers, but gives valuable information and asks questions so that you can formulate your plan and grow as your own person in your own family."

Marx said she doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but hopes she is able to provide information to help each parent.

"Things will get tough," Marx said. "It doesn't matter how great of a parent you are, you will run into struggles. I'm just trying to offer a way to help get through it."

Follow Autumn Luedke on Twitter @Apwriter1 or contact at (608) 393-5777

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