Meet Elisabeth Stitt

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elisabeth Stitt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Elisabeth , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve always been super lucky in that I have always known what my purpose here on earth is–and that is to make the lives of children better. Starting second grade I spent my recesses tutoring the Kindergarteners. Fourth and fifth grade I was a mother’s helper, and by sixth grade I was babysitting at least 3 nights a week. High school saw tutoring and working with a girl with Down Syndrome on her gross motor sklls and by college I was a counselor teaching German at a summer camp in Minnesota. That lead to twenty-five years of teaching, which in turn lead to parenting coaching.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Elisabeth Stitt, founder of Joyful Parenting Coaching and a former classroom teacher with over 25 years of experience working with kids and families. I started my coaching practice because I saw how modern parenting had become increasingly isolated and overwhelming. Today’s parents are expected to just know how to raise emotionally intelligent, responsible, happy kids—but many have had little to no hands-on experience or community models to learn from. That’s where I come in.

At Joyful Parenting Coaching, I help parents move from daily chaos and confusion to calm, connection, and clarity. What’s special about my work is that I don’t offer quick fixes—I teach lifelong parenting skills. I focus on what I call the Pillars of Parenting: Clarity, Connection, Communication, and Consistency. When those are in place, families become joyful, resilient, and deeply bonded.

What excites me most is watching parents step into their confidence—not just managing behavior, but creating the kind of warm, structured, respectful homes where everyone thrives. My work isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress, self-awareness, and the kind of relationships that last a lifetime.

Joyful Parenting Coaching is here to remind parents that they are not alone—and that parenting can be both intentional and joyful and even playful and fun. For families in Northern California, I offer in-person Family Camps and Adventure Days–opportunities for families to bond while both having fun and building skills.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have kept me in the coaching game despite lots of ups and down and challenges are my sense of purpose, my growth mindset and my positivity.

With out a doubt, my confidence that my work is important and is making a difference in the world has kept me going even when I haven’t been in the position to make as big an impact as I would like. Having a clear “why” will have you returning to the drawing board over and over rather than having you throwing in the towel. Education and book learning cannot replace the over 50,000 hours that I have spent interacting with actual children, and it would be more than a shame to let those hours go to waste just because I was discouraged: Failing to use the gifts that have been bestowed upon me would almost feel selfish and self-centered,

I plan on continuing to make use of the experiences I have had with children well into my old age. Along side that, I continue to learn and to deepen my understanding of children and their development. Having a growth mindset–an understanding that I can always continue to grow more in both my knowledge and my skills–supports me in continuing my work even when doubts creep up (There is always someone with more education, more experience and more business acument than you–doubts will creep up!).
Having a growth mindset keeps me from getting paralyzed by perfectionism or sidetracked with comparisons. I just keep reminding myself that I have value to add and to take things one step at a time.

The trait of positivity is one of my greatest gifts of all. The world is a challenging place. Many people are plagued with anxiety, depression and pessimism. My steadfast belief that there is always a new day and another opportunity to make things better not only fuels me, but it fuels my clients. They borrow their confidence from my confidence in them, especially my confidence that it is 100% possible to make repairs with your children and to get your relationship with them back on track.

If you do not already know about Carol Dweck’s work on Growth Mindset, by all means, get her book and read it or watch YouTube videos on the science of how our brain is able to change and reshape itself. Knowing that science proves we can change and improve is highly motivating no matter what stage you are in your journey.

A big part of having a growth mindset is focusing on being in process rather than measuring yourself by your outcomes. We set big goals and often fall short of them. If we only focus on our failures, it sucks at our confidence and our sense of self. Instead, Dweck’s research tells us to celebrate our effort and improvement and to identify what strategy has helped us with what success we have had. That enables us to refine and reproduce the most winning part of our efforts.

Positive psychology teaches us that our happiness levels and our optimism are also skills. Practices like expressing gratitude daily, finding the silver lining in situations and reframing negatives into positives all help ups lift our base happiness levels. We build resilience through engaging in these small acts regularly. Of course, practices like yoga and meditation help keep us grounded so that we can respond to situations rather than just reacting. Developing positivity will not only lift you up; it will lift all the people around you.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is a thoughtful, proactive parent who wants more than just quick fixes—they want to build a strong, lasting foundation for their family. They may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck in daily power struggles, or exhausted by constant pushback from one or more of their kids. But underneath that frustration, they believe change is possible.

They’re open-minded, willing to reflect on their habits and communication style, and ready to do the work—not just for their kids, but for their own growth, too. My favorite clients are curious, compassionate, and often bring a great sense of humor to the process. They want a parenting approach that’s grounded in respect, emotional intelligence, and practical strategies—and they appreciate that I bring both deep expertise and warmth to our work together.

Some common struggles they’re facing include:

Constant power struggles and defiance

Big emotions that leave the whole house walking on eggshells

Difficulty getting on the same parenting page with their partner

Disorganization and lack of routines that create daily chaos

Concerns about screen time, social media, or lack of motivation

Communication breakdowns that lead to yelling, shutdowns, or guilt

Feeling like they’re reacting all the time instead of parenting with intention

What makes me especially suited to support these parents is the depth and breadth of my experience. With over 25 years as a classroom teacher, I bring both practical insight and emotional wisdom to my coaching. I’ve worked with children of all ages and temperaments and I understand what developmentally appropriate behavior really looks like, so I can help parents take things less personally and respond more effectively.

My approach blends the best of structure and compassion. I teach parents how to create clear expectations, follow through with love, and build the kind of trust and consistency that transforms family life. I also guide them in using emotional intelligence, peaceful communication, and meaningful connection to strengthen their relationships—because when kids feel seen, heard, and safe, everything else gets easier.

Most of all, I offer judgment-free support and real-world strategies. I’m not interested in perfection—I’m here to help parents feel proud of the home they’re building and confident in the humans they’re raising.

I especially love working with parents who want to raise capable, kind, emotionally aware humans—and create a home life they truly enjoy.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Liz Pierce, Jordan Wong, Elisabeth Stitt

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