What clients say about working with
Life Coach Sheri McGregor

Life is a gift to nurture

I contacted Sheri McGregor this past year because I was despondent over the incomprehensible and poisonous relationship with my adult son who is now in his early fifties. It has become clear that he has been carrying anger toward me since I divorced his alcoholic father nearly 40 years ago. I spent years shielding my son from his father’s narcissistic temper tantrums and emotional abuse and raised him without child support just to be free of the man. Unfortunately, in his teens, my son, who had been a darling child, began to mimic his father’s cruelty toward me. I forged on, working to put a roof over our heads in a decent neighborhood with good schools, and finding ways to make additional income to provide him with extras. He went on to become a financial success.

When I reached my mid-seventies, I could no longer work full-time. My son offered me the use of a condominium he purchased as an investment property. I thought that was a turning point for us. Instead, the situation has fueled his resentment. His latest threat is that he may soon sell the place out from under me. At 81, I could be forced to move, and that’s a scary prospect.

When I discovered Sheri McGregor’s book, “Done With The Crying,” I stayed up all night reading it. It was as if she knew me, my son, and everything about my situation. Not only had she surveyed thousands of parents but she had experienced parental estrangement personally. I was no longer alone. When I told my friends, they asked me for the name of the book because they had friends or family members who were suffering from the same kind of estrangement. It suddenly seemed like there was an epidemic out there. A week later I read her next book, “Beyond Done With The Crying” which gave me specific tools and exercises to deal with my situation.

When Sheri and I began one-on-one coaching sessions, I told her about my shame, confusion, anger, and sadness. I felt stupid for still holding out hope after 40 years of my son’s abuse. I was still looking for the “why” and searching for reasons, wondering what I should have done differently, still trying to take blame. If it was my fault, then I could do things differently and make it better. But I realized I had done things “differently” for many decades and it hadn’t changed a thing.

Sheri‘s voice and words were so supportive and we even laughed at times. I could actually feel some lightness flowing through the darkness. My feelings began to shift. I have come to accept that I do not know who this grown man is and that I am not responsible for the version of me that exists in his mind or the way he has re-written his childhood to villainize me. I am stronger and calmer, less envious of friends who have loyal loving families, and more appreciative of my other relationships. Some of these are even the adult children of friends. One tells me I have become a surrogate mother since her own mom, my friend, has passed away. Since my talks with Sheri, I have appreciated and nurtured these relationships more and more.

I am learning to focus more on life beyond my tarnished relationship with the son I cannot trust. I’ve volunteered to work at an international film festival that’s held annually in my city, and with Sheri’s encouragement, have begun writing again and recently signed up for a course. I have more time and emotional space since I am not consumed with the wish for a relationship that evaporated decades ago, and even my humor is returning. I still have some tough days, but if I hadn’t loved the child so much, I wouldn’t be so hurt by the man he’s become. Sheri’s coaching and writings have helped me focus on ME, and I bounce back quickly now. Her words remind me that, even with the pain of estrangement, life is a gift and …..most importantly…. should be treated as such.

~ D. from MA, May 2023

Perspective, Forward Momentum

Our meeting times are special to me and keep me moving forward with both small and large personal goals, even if just small steps. I always look forward to your insight, your positive reflection and guidance. You have a very interesting perspective that I have not been able to find, along with the common estrangement piece in our lives.

M.M., entrepreneur, Arizona
April, 2021

“Wonderful”

We visited our son today for his birthday. We are estranged from his twin brother.

Because of your books and your life coaching, we were able to have a perfect visit with our other son. It was wonderful. You can publish that quote.

I owe you.

J., Attorney in Southern U.S.
Feb., 2022

“A Beautiful New Life”

In Grief there are Gifts… and Sheri McGregor is surely one of them.

A few months ago, I reached out to Sheri McGregor for Life Coaching. Sheri’s book, along with the coaching sessions, was life changing for me.

The magnitude of the loss I have had to endure is beyond belief. After the tragic loss of several immediate family members, I have lost both of my two sons through estrangement, who were poisoned and brainwashed against me by their father and step mother. This left me shell-shocked. I hit rock bottom. Their rejection of me had been so excruciating that I believed my life was meaningless. My life no longer had a purpose. There was no more curiosity and certainly no more joy. I wondered if I would ever be able to cope. At that point I realized that I could either shrivel up and die or I could choose life. And I chose life. The estrangement of my two sons propelled me onto a path of self- introspection allowing me to work with the grief in a conscious way that helped me to ultimately embrace the gifts inherent in the experience of having your heart torn apart and broken wide open.

Desperately seeking help and answers, I found Sheri McGregor’s book ‘Done With The Crying’. Reading her book felt like a miracle had happened. Prior, I had felt isolated, full of shame and fear that I would be judged a bad mother. Sheri’s uplifting book is an honest portrayal of a mother’s unconditional love and the deep eternal connection in the mother/child bond. Reading all the stories of other mother’s estrangements, I no longer felt alone and despondent.

Through our coaching sessions, Sheri made me understand the transformational opportunity in one of the most painful experiences a mother can have – the loss of a child through estrangement. She guided and taught me how to create emotional distance from the trauma of the loss by identifying and minimizing the triggers in my home and creating a soothing environment which would exude healing, beauty, peace and solace.

Feeling Sheri’s kindness and support, I could safely express and release my sorrow, fear and anger at the injustice, knowing how deeply and non-judgmentally she understands. Sheri helped me recognize and experience again the gifts life has to offer. She helped me heal and re-open my heart to love, compassion and joy, to forgiving myself and others instead of holding on to resentment or bitterness, instead of shutting down, and above all to be compassionate to myself. A beautiful new life lies on the other side of estrangement. She taught me to be gentle with myself on my journey back to wholeness. Through Sheri’s coaching I gained clarity about people and life and an ability to see through the lens of gratitude. She taught me that in letting go, I would allow peace and fulfillment back into my life, living in the present moment, rather than focusing on the past or worrying about the future.

Raising my sons, I always put myself on the back burner. Sheri encouraged and inspired me to move forward in my dreams, embrace my talents, make what is important to me top priority, to empower and nurture myself, to seek and see new possibilities. She gave me tools to integrate and navigate my way so that I emerge on the other side of this stronger, more resilient and filled with gratitude for my blessings.

Marguerite,
Fashion Design and French teacher, Fairfield County, CT

COMPASSION, HEALING

I first found Sheri when I was stressed and unable to sleep. I was troubled and lonely because of the four-year alienation from my older son. I felt lost He was not entirely out of my life but wasn’t the young man I had raised. I was upset over the distance between us, and when I did see him, I walked on eggshells, afraid if I said one wrong thing, I would lose him forever.

This took a toll on my health and lifestyle At that point, I blamed the circumstances of my divorce of more than a decade ago, but knew I was a good, loving mother. I wondered: Am I the only one going through this?

I came across several books, not that many, but the one that stood out was by Sheri McGregor. The title alone drew me in, Done With The Crying, but when I read about her, I downloaded the book immediately. I felt that she spoke to my inner self, my very similar pain and loss.

It was not easy reading the first chapters, reading other parent’s pain, similar to mine, but her wisdom and approach made total sense to me. I strongly encourage any parent going through such a loss to read her book, pause listen to your thoughts, and understand that you are not alone. Being strong and resilient and allowing the kindness to forgive yourself, and start living your life .

I emailed Sheri immediately after reading the first two chapters, and we planned on phone chat sessions only after I promised myself to complete her book.

In our four phone sessions, her wisdom , compassion and understanding, and most of all her ability to listen, helped. I was propelled to start the healing process in a more compassionate and sensible way. I felt less desperate.

My son and I do talk now again, but only because I process the whole experience differently than before. I am happier, and my happiness is my responsibility. It is our children’s journey to do the same.

I thank Sheri for her wisdom and know that at any time I need her support she is there for me. I found she gave me some very important tools to understand how to cope, and I learned a new insight I never had before.

These days, I am by far more compassionate to others that deserve it and less tolerant of those who don’t. I don’t know what the future holds, how much healing will take place between my son and I. I pray for a great resolution but I am a realist now, and understand that this is not all up to me. As the saying goes it takes two to tango. My son, too, must meet he halfway. But with the support of Sheri and my loving partner I feel stronger than ever.

Thank you, Sheri, for you kindness and your caring. You reached out to me on occasions when you did not hear from me, and that clearly says a lot of what type of person and mother you are!

I wish you continued success on your mission to heal parents.

With much love,
Cheryl W., Design Director in the textile industry, New York City
October, 2017

A GIFT

Never in a million years did I think it possible. I still wake in shock every day. I had no idea that pain could feel this intense. I have lost a beautiful, once loving son to estrangement. I experienced his “death” every day for 3 years with brutal cruelty in his mental illness until I wished to take my own life. I could not breathe.

In my search for meaning while frozen in pain, I found a book “Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children” by Sheri McGregor. The author’s words became my lifeline. I could not believe that someone wrote about how I felt and with such depth and clarity. Feeling connected provided relief and I was comforted by her insight. Most importantly, her written words moved me through my pain to a healthier way of experiencing estrangement. Her book is my bible and sits on my night table. I understand that this journey will be a lifetime process for me. And I will continue to move forward.

After contacting the author out of absolute necessity for me, I had the privilege of working with Sheri through her coaching service. She asked me for a commitment to change and this leap of faith has given me back my life. Sheri has helped me to confront my son’s estrangement with honesty, to think with my head rather than my heart, challenge my personal attitudes that have not served me well, take back control, and develop strategies to move beyond the pain and be present to enjoy “today,” with hope for my future.

My gratitude for Sheri’s generosity, insight, and kindness cannot be expressed in words. I am forever grateful to her in this period of extremity. It is an angel on earth who has the capacity to take the experience of her own pain in estrangement to help another with such selflessness.

My prayers for all parents who are suffering and their adult children who estrange themselves from those who love them most,

G. Mason, physician, Canada
September 2017

Life coaching brings hope for a renewed future

I highly recommend Sheri McGregor as a life coach. She has offered me her insights and wisdom in a most positive and supportive manner. She has re-framed what seemed to be negative experiences into life-affirming narratives that underscore growth and positive character traits. I like how she gives me assignments and goals each week, and I report back to her on my progress. The writing assignments are so valuable; it is clear that Sheri reads them thoroughly as she responds with understanding and wisdom. Sometimes she has startled me with entirely new perspectives on my seemingly impossible challenges, placing them in a context of possibilities for growth and change. It is so pleasant to work with Sheri because she sprinkles her coaching with humor, stories, personal experiences, and memorable affirmations that resonate with me long after a coaching session. Overall, she has helped me shift my personal narrative from negative to positive, and instilled in me a hope for a renewed future.
Laurie L., Artist and University Professor

Life coaching for empowerment

If you want results, Sheri is your coach. You can count on Sheri to be a balancing and grounding presence. Her coaching style is soothing yet challenging. She holds you accountable while refraining from judgment. Sheri will go with you where you want to go and is flexible. She is intuitive and seems to know that all paths, even the seemingly unrelated, lead to the ultimate path of your empowerment. ~ Stephanie Gagos, Westchester New York

Freedom and forward momentum

Holding onto irritation and loss had me in quicksand. Life coaching with Sheri helped me to let go, get free, and take action. ~ B. Hilcox, Business Owner, Mesa, AZ

Life coaching to focus on the present

From the first session, Sheri helped me focus on the present, see some things that were bothering me in a new way, and figure out how to keep heading positively into the future. I am calmer and more at peace what’s ahead. ~ Lorinda, California

Life coaching for a healthy perspective

Kind, gentle, graceful guidance. That’s what I anticipate as I look forward to my weekly life coaching calls with Sheri. She never disappoints–always helping me gain a healthier perspective on different aspects of my life, whether career, family, or relationships. Sheri is a miracle in and of herself–and I’m so grateful she has taken the time and attention to help me navigate life! ~ Laura, writer and mom, Western Colorado

Life coaching for renewal and confidence

When I started working with Sheri McGregor as a life coach I didn’t know what to expect or what would come from the experience. I was skeptical, but committed to try 12 sessions, one per week. Sheri gives you a lot to think about! Her challenging questions enticed me to be fully honest with my responses. Yet Sheri’s gentle way as a life coach gave me all the room to breathe I needed. Her approach is non-threatening, accepting and direct. That’s a great combination. It fostered my growth.

Sheri and I have investigated being true to yourself, identity exploration, optimism, rigidity in conjunction with creativity, and personal identity and life purpose. Our work together has helped me be myself. One of the first gifts I received from Sheri McGregor’s life coaching was the confidence to follow my bliss. That involved being honest with myself during a time when it was challenging because of financial concerns. It’s not easy to live in a skin that’s too tight. That’s what I was doing. Sheri helped me shed that skin, transform and renew myself. Explore your most optimistic goals for yourself with Sheri McGregor. In just a month of working with her, I began seeing my aspirations materialize.
~ Debra A. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Educator and Freelance Journalist

Life Coaching for Awareness and Courage

Sheri is a very open-minded, caring life coach. She never forgets to acknowledge and encourage you. Sheri helped me increase my awareness, gain courage, and move forward. Sheri’s flexibility allowed me to make decisions and learn my real needs. Sheri’s life coaching style is very open and very client-focused. I gained and still gain a lot in every session. I find the life coaching sessions very rich. Her powerful questions help me gain insight and reflect deeply about the issue in question. I strongly recommend Sheri as a life coach. She is great.~ Galit, Montreal, Canada

Confidence and clarity

From the very first session, Sheri helped me to recognize I was already exhibiting the strengths I needed to move forward. Then she helped me fill in the gaps to my gaining time management, peace and power. I’m clear about where I’m headed. And I’m feeling more confident than ever! ~ Janihne Smith
Store Manager/Student, California

What clients say about working with Life Coach Sheri McGregor