When Layal Aoudi became a mother, she thought she had everything figured out. With a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University and years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum, she believed she was fully equipped to handle any challenge that parenthood could bring. But then, her firstborn came along—a strong-willed child who, as she describes, “changed everything.”
Layal quickly realized that the parenting techniques she had studied and applied professionally did not work the way she expected at home. The strategies she once believed in—timeouts, punishments, and strict control—left her feeling frustrated, disconnected, and, most painfully, ashamed.
“I found myself yelling, punishing, and using methods I swore I’d never use,” Layal shares. “None of it worked. My child wasn’t responding, and I felt like I was failing—not just as a parent, but as a professional.”
A New Path to Parenting: Conscious and Connected
Feeling emotionally drained and mentally overwhelmed, Layal knew she needed a change—not just for her child’s well-being but for her own sanity. That’s when she discovered conscious parenting, a method that emphasizes empathy, emotional connection, and understanding over control and fear.
Conscious parenting flipped her entire perspective. Instead of trying to “fix” her child’s behavior, she started working on herself—unpacking her own emotional triggers, processing childhood experiences, and learning to meet her child with compassion.
“It was life-changing,” she says. “I realized my child wasn’t trying to be difficult on purpose. They were just trying to communicate, and I had to learn how to really listen.”
Once Layal started implementing these new techniques at home and saw a genuine shift in her relationship with her child, she felt a deep calling to help other parents do the same.
From Personal Struggles to Global Coaching
Layal didn’t stop at healing her own household. Inspired by the transformation she experienced, she pursued certification in conscious parenting coaching. Today, she runs a 12-week coaching program designed to help parents shift their mindset, build stronger emotional bonds with their children, and rediscover the joy of parenting.
“My biggest achievement isn’t a degree or a certificate,” Layal says with a smile. “It’s feeling closer to my kids even when parenting is hard. It’s knowing that I don’t have to hurt the connection with my child just to see ‘good’ behavior. And most of all, it’s watching other parents experience that same peace.”
Layal’s mission is to eliminate the guilt and shame that often haunt strict parents who rely on outdated methods. Through her coaching, she helps parents understand that they’re not alone, that their children are inherently good, and that behavior issues are often cries for connection—not signs of defiance.
Helping Parents Heal to Help Children Thrive
One of Layal’s most profound realizations came from her years of experience working with neurodivergent children and their families. While she was skilled at teaching children behavior strategies, she noticed a missing piece: the parent’s mindset.
“No matter how much I helped the child, if the parent’s mindset wasn’t addressed, progress was limited,” she explains. “The parent-child relationship has a huge impact on how children behave—not just at home but in school, in public, everywhere.”
This insight led Layal to shift her focus toward parental coaching. She believes that helping parents heal their own emotional wounds, understand their triggers, and practice conscious communication is the key to long-term behavioral success in children.
“It’s not just about giving a parent a book or sending them to a workshop,” Layal insists. “It’s about guiding them through real, personal transformation.”
Bringing the Movement to the Middle East
In September 2024, Layal relocated from the United States to Qatar after eight years of working with families in the States. Her move marked a new chapter: one that’s focused on building a community of conscious parents in the Middle East.
Now, Layal runs workshops in schools across Qatar, raising awareness about the power of connection in parenting. She’s building a safe space where parents can share their struggles, learn new strategies, and support each other through the challenges of raising kids in a fast-changing world.
“There’s no one right way to parent,” she says. “But I can tell you that the old way—raising kids the way we were raised—just doesn’t work with this generation.”
Why the Traditional Approach No Longer Works
For Layal, it’s clear that parenting today requires a different approach. With the rise of technology, social media, and new cultural pressures, children are growing up in a world very different from what their parents knew.
“Our parents didn’t deal with screen time battles, online bullying, or the pressure of constant comparison on social platforms,” Layal explains. “So we can’t expect the same parenting strategies to work.”
She emphasizes that parents need to stay open to learning and evolving—because parenting isn’t a fixed skill, it’s an ongoing journey.
“You can’t raise your child using only what you already know. You have to keep learning, keep adjusting. And most importantly, stop judging other parents based on how their child behaves.”
Building a Stronger Future, One Family at a Time
Layal’s work is more than just coaching—it’s a movement toward kinder, more conscious parenting. Her dream is to see parenting education become a standard part of the Middle Eastern education system. She envisions schools offering resources, workshops, and ongoing support for parents so they don’t have to walk the journey alone.
“Parenting is the most important job in the world,” Layal says. “And yet, we get the least training for it. That has to change.”
By helping parents understand that their children are not broken, misbehaving, or “bad,” Layal is shifting generational patterns. She’s teaching parents to lead with empathy, set respectful boundaries, and create homes filled with emotional safety.
A Parenting Legacy of Hope and Healing
Today, Layal’s Instagram page, @aretorepairparenting, is filled with relatable content, gentle guidance, and real-life parenting tips. She uses her platform to remind parents that they’re not alone—and that change is possible, no matter how difficult the journey feels.
For Layal Aoudi, every message from a parent saying “You helped me feel seen” is a victory. Every family that rebuilds trust and closeness is another step toward a better world.
“I want parents to know they’re not failing,” she says softly. “They’re learning. They’re growing. And that’s exactly what makes them great parents.”
Layal Aoudi’s story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, empathy, and transformation. From a frustrated mom to a conscious parenting coach changing lives across two continents, her journey offers hope to every parent who’s ever felt overwhelmed. With the right tools and support, every family can find peace, healing, and a deeper connection.
Also read: Sharjah Rolls Out Free Wi-Fi in All Parks and Beaches
