Interview with Mary Ann Hughes who turned a major life event into a career path

Send us Fan MailMary Ann Hughes shares that she is the only certified divorce coach exclusively focused on helping families with children with special needs.Discusses her unique journey and how she transitioned into this role, emphasizing her passion and mission to assist families facing divorce with children with disabilities.Shares that she has two children on opposite ends of the autism spectrum, discussing her experience with their diagnoses and early interventions.Her children are now young adults in their early twenties, and she reflects on her journey as a special needs parent, from coping with the initial diagnosis to transitioning to adulthood.She talks about her unexpected divorce several years ago and how it impacted her family, including her children with special needs.Emphasizes the importance of taking care of children's emotional well-being during divorce and preparing them for changes.Discusses the use of "social stories" to help children understand and cope with transitions.Shares the need for parents to focus on self-care and take time to recharge, especially during challenging times like divorce.Describes how her role as a special needs mom influenced her aspirations and goals, emphasizing the importance of teaching her children to become advocates for themselves.Discusses the confidence her children have developed through her guidance and role modeling.Shares that she enjoys learning and engaging in personal development.Highlights the value of outdoor activities and time alone for relaxation and recharging.Emphasizes the importance of scheduling self-care activities and making time for socializing with friends.Mary Ann's Role as a Divorce Coach:Mary Ann talks about how she helps individuals contemplating divorce, going through divorce, or dealing with the aftermath.She discusses her coaching approach, which includes understanding the client's needs, offering advice and resources, and assisting with decision-making, communication, and emotional support.Mary Ann mentions her course, "Special Family Transitions," which focuses on helping parents navigate divorce while prioritizing their children's needs.Mary Ann explains the "RISE" framework, which stands for Remember who you are, Investigate options, Secure a team, and Embrace the future.Each component of the framework plays a crucial role in guiding parents through the divorce process and planning for the child's future.Mary Ann encourages special needs moms to take care of themselves and grant themselves grace during challenging times like divorce.She emphasizes the importance of considering the long-term well-being of both children and parents when going through a divorce.Mary Ann reflects on the potential for collaborative divorce resolutions that prioritize the child's needs and future.https://www.specialfamilytransitions.com/https://www.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitionshttps://www.instagram.com/specialfamilytransitions/https://youtube.com/@specialfamilytransitionsRISE course: Ask for SFT discount code https://bit.ly/DivorceTipsForMomsMusic Acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys KyshchukLearn more about your host at:https://coachingwithvalerieanne.com/