Meet Anna Skates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Skates.

Hi Anna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have worked with children for most of my life – from nannying to being a Children’s Librarian.

I’ve always loved being with kids – they are fascinating and remarkable and so inspiring to me. It’s ultimately where I want to be directing my energy. I say I want to be the “Next to Mr. Rogers” because I sincerely do – I want to create content for kids that is honest and real without all the noises and gimmicks through which they can feel seen, understood, and valued.

That said, in all the years of working with kids, my biggest takeaway has been that working with PARENTS is critical to creating a better world for children – more so than any show I could create. So in the last couple of years, I’ve shifted my focus toward parents and caregivers through creating content, resources, and offering parent coaching services.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In a lot of ways, it has been smooth. My path to where I am now built really beautifully upon itself: I started out volunteering with kids, then working in the children’s department of the library, then teaching preschool, then nannying, then being a program director, then being a parent coach. The journey evolved in a really synchronistic way.

But it certainly hasn’t been without struggle. I think the biggest hurdle was mentally shifting from kid-focused content to parent-focused content. I resisted that for years because I didn’t *want* to be in the parent space. I wanted to be with kids and I felt as though shifting my focus away from them was a sort of abandoning of my dream.

I even created a kid company called Otterly a couple of years ago and ran head-first into trying to generate products for kids only to LOSE money doing it and not really gaining much traction (yet!).

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a parent coach and content creator. I focus primarily on respectful/conscious parenting.

I’m honestly just proud of myself for showing up in the parenting space. For years, I didn’t feel like I had any right to be there because I’m not a biological parent. (And some people may still feel that I don’t have a right to speak to issues of parenting/caregiving – that’s okay). But I’m learning that I have a unique lens/voice/way of communicating that actually makes a difference. That realization has been SO humbling and life-changing for me.

I am a performer at heart – I grew up wanting to be a singer (even went to Belmont for vocal performance). That experience and comfort with being on camera I think sets an audience at ease – whether in person or virtually. Additionally, because I’m not a biological parent, I am able to look at the parenting/caregiving role from a sort of “birds-eye” view. Because I’m not “in the weeds” of parenting day in and day out (though I am a stepmom-ish to two incredible kids), I’m able to gain a perspective on all sorts of issues precisely because I’m not emotionally overwhelmed by them.

Lastly – most people in the parenting space are advocates of PARENTS. And while I certainly fill that role, I am first and foremost an advocate for children. So much of what I bring to light in my work are the ways in which our world, including our parenting dynamics, do not allow children to truly be seen and heard as fellow humans – and how we can flip the script.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am an introvert! I recharge with lots of alone time. Because of my performance background and my comfort with being on camera, I think most people assume that I’m extroverted.

Pricing:

• $125/session parent coaching.
• $15-$40 merchandise is available in my Etsy shop.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@annaskates.co
• Website: www.annaskates.co
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/anna_skates
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/annaskatesofficial
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1wve_W_QAhK3mjkAnd30Sg
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/OtterlyKids

Image Credits
Nathan Johns