Family Time's Mission

The mission of Family Time Inc. is to be a leader in parent/child development by providing resources and decision-making strategies to parents and to the professionals who support families. We strive to create a vision of family life that sustains personal growth, joy and a better world for us all.

About Karen Deerwester
Karen Deerwester is the owner of Family Time Coaching & Consulting, inspiring and supporting parents and professionals in all aspects of "living with children". Karen is the author of The Entitlement-Free Child (Sourcebooks 2009), The Playskool Potty Training Guide (Sourcebooks 2008) and The Potty Training Answer Book (Sourcebooks 2007). The Potty Training Answer Book won the 2008 NAPPA Award for parenting resources.

A highly requested speaker/trainer for parents and educators since 1985, Karen’s high energy presentations touch the hearts of teachers and parents as they renew their commitment to children and to themselves. In August 2005, Karen conducted Lifelong Laughter Events for Cartoon Network in a five city tour. Karen is the National Spokesperson for Hasbro Family Game Night (2010) and for Clorox Clean-Up Creative Messy Play (2010-2011).

Family Time currently operates the Mommy & Me Program at the Ruth & Edward Taubman Early Childhood Center in Boca Raton. Karen's influence in the field of parent/child programs can be seen throughout the public and private sectors where Karen has developed award-winning programs for public schools, faith-based programs, hospitals, and private for-profit centers.

Karen reaches millions of parents each month as the parent "expert" for Examiner.com, BlueSuitMom.com, the author of the Toddler/Preschooler Column for South Florida Parenting Magazine and numerous parenting websites. Her parenting advice is always grounded in the best research-based developmental practices and a keen awareness of the strengths of each family. Karen has contributed parenting/early childhood advice to Parents Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Real Simple, Women's Day, Essence Magazine, and the books Expert's Guide to the Early Years and Worst Case Scenario: Parenting. Karen's popular parenting CD titled Parenting Quick Tips for Young Children was featured in the premier issue of Dr Phil The Next Level. She is a regular guest on national radio and television.

Karen has also served as the past president of the Broward Association for the Education of Young Children (2003, 2004, 2005) and is active in the Early Childhood Association of Florida.

She enjoys the sun and beach in South Florida but dreams of northern forests.