About Parent Coaching : Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernadez & Families Blossoming

gigi-coach I am the mother of Alejandro – an incredible 3 year old little boy who entered this world at 24 weeks gestation weighing a whopping 645 grams (1 lb 4 oz)! He is the inspiration for me creating Families Blossoming (FB).

Professionally, I trained as an Occupational Therapist and worked in this field for several years in the USA (several states) and UK (London), holding both clinical and management roles. I then began doing project management, still within the healthcare field, for a few more years while I furthered my education. I obtained both my MSc in Health, Population and Society from The London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) and my Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching (Distinction) from The Coaching Academy (UK). I am a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the New York City Chapter of the ICF. I believe strongly in continuing to develop myself professionally so that both my clients and I benefit and to this end, I will soon start the process of becoming accredited with ICF.

Personally, aside from now being primarily known as Alejandro’s mum, I am also married to an incredibly wonderful man. My life’s view has been to always look at the glass half full rather than half empty but Alejandro’s extremely early birth via emergency C-section challenged this view in every way. We had entered the strange, abnormal and surreal world of prematurity – a place few parents even know exist, let alone think they will go there. Alejandro’s acute hospital phase consisted of 5 months in the NICU in London followed by an additional 2 months in the USA for further surgical intervention. His (and our) journey was both frightening and heartwarming and characterized by huge highs and lows on a minute by minute basis, which gradually changed to a daily basis……. and then back to minute by minute! Through lots of prayers & the love and support from family and friends, we got through the hospital phase.

We soon realized though that these highs and lows continued long after you’ve left the hospital – sometimes they were directly related to your little one – but often times they were in reference to yourself, your relationships, your ability to cope, your work, your inner feelings and beliefs, your own anxieties, your overall health, etc. Parents can easily lose themselves as they care for their child. I know this and so do you.

Alejandro is significantly visually impaired due to him developing progressive ROP while in NICU. He explores and truly embraces life despite of or maybe because of his vision loss……all with an infectious giggle. My desire is to help parents begin to start embracing their lives again as well. Using proven coaching techniques, sprinkled with a little dash of “Gigi-ness”, I want parents to start thinking and living outside of the box of prematurity that life has put them in.

My style is warm, friendly, open, honest & positive – with a big dose of laughter. I listen well, both to what you say and what you don’t say and will challenge you, as appropriate. Being Alejandro’s mother gives me a unique perspective and sense of empathy that is essential to understanding you & helping you move forward. Together we will walk YOUR walk and create the life you want and need to start thriving.

Are you ready to fully embrace, re-energise or maybe even reinvent your life again? If so, I am ready too.