Join this transformational 8 month program by Chris Muller, MSc,
Psychologist Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor
and Regional Coordinator for the Netherlands & Flanders

In person Aware Parenting 8 month training.

This is not your usual course.
We learn with our mind, heart and our body.
Not just theory, but action, practice and hands-on experience.

Module 1:
The Aware Baby

The start of life and this journey. Get to know your fellow participants and explore what matters most to you as a future instructor. This module focuses on putting theory into practice when working with babies and toddlers (0-2). Chris will guide you on how to interpret and implement these principles with parents and professionals. We’ll explore creating a safe attachment, understanding birth trauma, its effects and how to support healing from stress during pregnancy and birth in infants.

Module 2:
Tears & Tantrums

Most advice tells parents to stop the crying as quickly as possible. But what if we saw crying and anger differently? Understanding emotions from birth can help parents and professionals support children in a healthy way. In this module, Chris will show you how to avoid common mistakes parents and professionals make and how to deal with them. You’ll get deeper insights and practical tools to shift your perspective on “misbehavior” and handle these situations differently. We’ll also cover hyperactivity and sleep issues.

Module 3:
Attachment Play 

This kind of play isn’t about being a “perfect” playful parent or caregiver. It’s about understanding play and being able to handle challenges with kids in a playful way and how you can help children process experiences through play. How do you create a positive atmosphere at home or in groups? Building trust is key. After this module, you’ll have one of the most powerful tools for working with kids. Chris will share her exact play techniques, so you can create your own impactful workshops or coaching sessions for parents, children and professionals.

Module 4:
Cooperative & Connected 

Imagine seeing parents and professionals light up because they truly understand children and can guide them without punishments or rewards, from a place of connection. From solving eating problems to sibling rivalry, this module will show you exactly how to do that! You’ll learn Aletha Solter’s models to help interpret children’s behavior. In this module, you’ll learn how to apply Aware Parenting in daily life for a wide range of ages. You’ll gain tools to inspire parents and professionals to raise kids without punishments or rewards. We’ll also dive deeper into eating habits and behaviors.

Module 5:
Healing Your Traumatized Child

Here we explore how children from birth to age twelve can recover from traumatic experiences with their own parents acting as guides through the healing process. From bee stings and broken bones to divorce and schooltrauma, most children experience some type of trauma while growing up. How do you handle this from the Aware Parenting perspective and how can you guide parents and professionals? We dive deeper into the different trauma responses our bodies have as a result of traumatic and emotional events and how we can deal with it.

Module 6:
Raising Joyful Lifelong Learners;
How to Support Children’s Natural Learning Processes

Based on research in child development and education, we explore the benefits of teaching approaches that support children’s natural ways of learning. It’s about trusting children by following their interests, understanding the causes of learning difficulties, identifying symptoms of school-related stress and support in homework. We’ll talk about schooltrauma and how to motivate children in their learning process.

Module 7:
Raising Drug-Free Kids

This book is aimed at all ages, including teens. We focus on the teens during this session. How do you lay the foundation for a puberty where kids don’t feel the need to turn to drugs to be happy, to numb their feelings or to feel loved? How do you deal with teens who want more freedom and want to make their own choices? It’s never too late to start with Aware Parenting. I personally read the book *Babies Know What They Want* when I was 20, and look at what came of it! In this module, you’ll see how you can deal with these topics with teens and how the previous years pave the way.

Module 8:
Stepping Into The World

With Chris’s guidance and the group’s loving support, you’ll design and present a workshop to an actual audience. We’re working towards this during the program. You’ve been practicing before and now you’ll be supported in making it happen. Chris provides you with the support to bring your workshops and work to life so that you can start incorporating Aware Parenting into your practice. This month you’ll be ready to shine during the LIVE AWARE PARENTING DAY and present a workshop, putting what you’ve learned into practice. This is your final project for the academy. You’ve developed and presented a workshop that you can continue offering even after the academy! 

an amazing, beautiful, and wonderful journey

Chris, I absolutely adore you! Your smile, your playfulness, your warmth. The incredible amount of knowledge and experience you have. The trust that always shines through in your guidance. You don’t just teach us, you live it, and it’s so obvious. I had your guidance and noticed such a difference in myself and my kids. I believe Aware Parenting should really be shared with the world. I want to teach this to parents because it brings them so much joy, lightness, and confidence in raising children. Play is gold! Play is the lubricant, the safe zone, the connector, wow! Crying is wonderful! It releases, clarifies, and soothes. There’s so much joy at home, it’s unbelievable. Jokes, play, ease, and a lot of humor. I trust what I’m doing and know exactly why I’m doing it. I look beyond my kids’ behavior to see what they need. Responding to those needs, now that I get it, is way easier than arguing about certain behaviors. Even on off-days, I’m calmer, gentler. I trust that something’s going on and I notice when it comes out. What I love about the course is being together with like-minded people. The trust that Chris constantly shows in everyone’s process. The abundance of knowledge you can take in at a comfortable pace, so you don’t get overwhelmed. The rhythm of seeing each other and the mix of online and offline. I really appreciate the mix of theory and practice. The practical exercises truly deepen the learning. I’ve never heard so many new and, to me, logical things about children, their needs, and how to respond to them while considering your own needs as a parent and the beliefs or pains from your past. In this course, it’s not just the ‘how-to,’ but there’s a lot of focus on ‘how do you do this?’ Specifically, raising kids without punishment, and how you can do that—it’s one thing to know, but in this course, we dive into how *you* do it, what you come up against, and what you need in that process. Beautiful! Additionally, the safety within the group is a solid 10, and that’s largely due to the trust Chris exudes towards all of us. If you, like I did, feel that it’s time for a new, well-founded, loving approach to parenting that supports parents in their own process, ensuring their children feel seen, heard, and loved, then you need to take this course. How wonderful it will be when you get to contribute to spreading this worldwide! And Chris, I truly think you’re doing an amazing job. The structure, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your trust make this an incredible, beautiful, and wonderful journey. Thank you!“

Damiet van Stek

a very warm course where love and respect are at the forefront

Chris is a kind, warm guide. She lovingly encourages you to push your boundaries and step out of your comfort zone. I’ve seen huge changes in my family since I started applying the Aware Parenting philosophy. There’s more love, connection, and fun. I want others to experience this too, and I want to help spread more love, connection, and space for emotions for both kids and adults. Chris shows you that it’s not about perfection, and even though I still struggle at times applying Aware Parenting at home, I already know so much and have a lot to offer. I now see where I can add value in helping other parents and professionals grow and gain insight into patterns and habits that aren’t helpful in raising children. This has made me more confident in the background and application of Aware Parenting. I’ve learned to coach from my intuition, guiding others (women and men) to their deepest pain so they can heal. With Chris Muller and the other amazing women as support, I’ve had the courage to start my own coaching practice. I love discovering and learning with other incredible women in the course. We support each other and receive support in return. It’s such a warm course where love and respect come first. I don’t know of any other course where there’s such a loving and respectful atmosphere. Where there’s room for growth and development without pressure or fear of not meeting goals or deadlines. And where you can achieve great things and grow from inner motivation *without* that fear! If you see the benefits of Aware Parenting in your family, if you see that emotions are a key part of behavioral problems, if you want to tackle the “problem” at its root and do something about it… Then this is the course you need to take!

Carina van den Brink

trust that I can integrate this into my work

I had been exposed to AWP for a few years, but I couldn’t quite finish the path to certification on my own. The course gave me the opportunity to fully immerse myself in AWP and gain real expertise in it. The course is truly a deep dive into AWP! Chris is a very skilled, warm, and inspiring trainer/coach. With her knowledge and experience in AWP, she has created a very valuable training program. In the course, you learn the needs behind behaviors, how to connect, and how to truly help parents connect with their children. No punishment, rewards, sleep training, or time-outs, but looking, feeling, and connecting. Because of this, I’ve gained solid knowledge in AWP (Safety and connection are key! Play is too fun not to do!). Going through the theory together motivated me to actually read the books. There was a nice balance between peer support, coaching calls where we practiced Aware Parenting, and the mix of online and in-person meetings. I really appreciated the safety in the group and the courage to choose true connection during the live sessions. I feel more safe within myself and how I approach life, which has made me feel braver and stronger in being vulnerable. As a result, valuable friendships have formed. I now have confidence that I can integrate this into my work. My practice is now gaining more space to exist! I’ve also gained a much deeper understanding of my own processes and how to handle them. I’ve realized that AWP isn’t just about children – adults need it too. AWP is for all ages. If we apply the basic attitude of AWP with everyone around us, big or small, the world would be a much more beautiful place! If you want to support parents and children or are already doing so, AWP is a must! Go for your dreams, they can come true 😁 Thank you so much, dear Chris, for all the lessons I’ve already learned from you!

Jiska van Kasteel

made my big dream a reality

I’ve taken many courses, but never have I made my big dream a reality in such a short time! I’ve been working professionally with children for 15 years – it’s truly a passion! I’ve taken all kinds of courses, like child nursing, pedagogy, child coaching, and worked in pediatric oncology, psychiatric nursing, and yet something was missing in the connection with children. I felt so much more than what was happening on the surface. I realized that fixing children wasn’t the answer, but that real change came from the parents. Personally, I was looking forward to my own motherhood and still felt a huge gap in knowledge and preparation. I noticed just in time that an intensive Aware Parenting course was starting in the Netherlands with Chris. I had a conversation with Chris and could only follow my heart. I quit my job and completely dedicated myself to the training. Now I give trainings to parents and teachers and will be adapting the policies of 4 schools in the coming years to integrate play into their pedagogical approach. This year has been a huge transformation for me as a woman, as an Aware Parenting instructor, as an aspiring mother, and as an entrepreneur. Since it’s structured with live days, group sessions, theory lessons, and one-on-one conversations with Chris, I had no choice but to keep moving forward. This year has been a big transformation in so many ways. The exercises and discussions guided me to my essence, and from there I can now present AWP. In just a few months, I immersed myself in AWP theory and put it into practice. I’ve supported families in creating more loving connections with their children, I can express what I see and feel, I can form client relationships that are not just advisory but also supportive with love and compassion, and I’m currently working on a parent training. Although the path to full independence is not without challenges, I receive great support from Chris who can bring beautiful movement into my personal process with her neutrality. She also creates a safe and functional group dynamic that leads to amazing teamwork. This has carried, guided, and motivated me to keep giving my best. I’ve developed a power within me that I can now express to the world. I recommend this training to everyone. For me, it has completely transformed my life both professionally and personally. Whether you have little or a lot of experience, or whether or not you are a mother, it doesn’t matter. If you feel in your heart that you want to do this, I wouldn’t hesitate!

Benedicte Bernard

Hello dear! I’m a psychologist who works holistically, systemically, intuitively and with somatic work. I love to transform how children are treated by parents and professionals; not only in our mind, but also in our heart and body. I’m deeply committed to helping children grow up in a loving, happy and safe environment where they can be free to be their authentic selves and stay connected with their feelings and needs. (This also applies to the children living inside ourselves!)

I do this by no longer letting fixed concepts or fear define our relationship with children. Instead, I help you experience that it’s a journey of deepening the connection with ourselves and with our own inner child and from there we can connect more lovingly and deeply with children. I want to warmly welcome you in a compassionate environment, where you are invited to explore new perspectives and add more tools to your toolkit for raising children.

Working with me is never just about parenting. I help you embrace your pain, step into your power and live from your heart, so children can grow up in safety and with love, becoming strong adults who embrace their authentic selves. I love to help you and your children connect to your heart and find more joy to blossom. I see through everything the voice of the child within and the child outside of us.

I hold a Master of Science in Psychology, am an Aware Parenting Instructor level 2 and the regional coordinator for the Netherlands. I work a lot with gifted families and families with children with schooltrauma. I’m trained as a Counselor in Transactional Analysis (BTA). I founded the Dutch awareparenting.nl. I have a background in IT and set up a coding program for gifted kids in Amsterdam. I have done trainings in (transformative) yoga, Non-Violent Communication with Children, Polyvagal Theory, TA in relationships, family constellations, Babywearing, Pikler Play (RIE, Gerber, Janet Lansbury) and more.

It gives you more than you think!

I felt that this was the work I wanted to do; the philosophy of Aware Parenting speaks to me so much. Through the training, I gained a lot of insight into the impact of play, how to follow the child in that, and how effective it is in processing or preparing for difficult situations. How to deal with children’s emotions, understanding that crying, anger, and tantrums are part of it, and how to lovingly respond to them. The connections and relationships I’ve built with the other participants have been incredibly valuable. I find Chris very pleasant to work with. She listens incredibly well, speaks without judgment, asks sharp questions, and gets to the heart of things quickly. She has a lot of knowledge and experience, and it’s a joy to hear her passionately talk about it! I’m also learning where my own unresolved emotions are and which patterns I encounter in my relationship with my daughter. I now feel more peace and trust in my relationship with her and how I interact with her. I also find a lot more joy in it. Not only because I play with her more and see that as more valuable, but also because I’m becoming more creative in my approach with her. The training focuses not just on the content of Aware Parenting but also on you as an Aware Parenting instructor and how you can bring this philosophy into the world. The combination of the theory and insights from Aware Parenting, my personal growth as a parent, and the creation of my own business and growth as an Aware Parenting instructor makes this a unique experience for me. I feel more confident in my role as an Aware Parenting instructor and trust that I really have something to offer parents in this area. I’ve started setting up my own business alongside my current job, so that’s a big step! Honestly, if you’re hesitating about doing the training—go for it! It gives you more than you think. It’s something every parent and anyone who works with children should take!

Annalies Buitenhuis

Safe group with like-minded people

The Aware Parenting training with Chris Muller has made me change course in my life. When I read the book ‘The Language of Tears’ as a new mother, a lot of things fell into place for me; it touched something deep inside me on many levels. Making my child feel unconditional love, having a safe connection with her where all emotions are welcome, raising her without being authoritarian but also not letting myself be walked over—it was exactly what I was looking for. Something lit up in me, and I immediately felt I wanted to know more about this and share it with other parents. The Aware Parenting training with Chris has given me the chance to deepen my understanding of the philosophy of Aletha Solter with other wonderful people, and it provides me with all the experience and tools I need to eventually call myself an expert. Chris’s guidance has been invaluable in this process, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and she lovingly challenges me to continue growing. Moreover, it’s incredibly healing to explore all of this while being supported by a loving, safe group of like-minded individuals who are going through similar growth. I’ve now quit my job, and thanks to Chris and her training, I’ve gained enough self-confidence to follow my passion. I’m ready to spread the Aware Parenting philosophy in the world and am grateful that I can give parents the gift of relaxed parenting in loving connection!

Leonore van Ommen

PRACTICAL

1 free Introduction call before you apply
so together we can feel into whether this path truly aligns with where you are emotionally, professionally, and personally, before you commit.

7 In-person whole days in Amsterdam (with a delicious lunch, tea and bites) on Fridays
so you can slow down, connect deeply with yourself and others and experience the support and Aware Parenting in real human presence, the kind of connection that only in person offers.

1 Workshop Day (your end project) June 19
so you can bring everything you’ve learned into practice, sharing your unique expression of Aware Parenting and feeling the confidence that comes with integration after months of diving deep.

8 Online theory sessions (Zoom) on Monday evenings
so you can deepen your understanding of Aware Parenting’s foundations and weave theory into your lived experience, without having to travel.

6 × 30 min (or 3 × 60 min) supervision sessions 1-on-1 with Chris
so you can receive personal guidance and supervision on your inner process, but also ask questions, look deeper at your client work and feel truly supported as you transform and find your own authentic voice as a practitioner. Because healing our own hurts and self-awareness is key!

A private support app group
so you can stay connected in between sessions, share reflections, receive support and feel part of a living, caring community that understands you deeply.

A beautiful workbook
so you can anchor insights, reflect on your journey and return to the material and your insights again and again as your practice and awareness deepen.

8 intervision & listening partner sessions
so you can practice the art of deep listening, self-reflection and feel carried by mutual support, the very heart of Aware Parenting.

7 practice-client sessions
so you can translate theory into embodied skill, experience what works in real sessions with real people and grow confident in accompanying others through their processes.

Diploma
so you can be recognised for your learning and dedication, a milestone that reflects both your professional development and your inner transformation.

Listing on Aware Parenting Netherlands
so you can be found by parents and professionals seeking genuine, aware and attachment-based support and join a growing movement of people changing the mainstream culture of parenting.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHOICES

Dear Chris, This journey feels and is AMAZING. One of the most beautiful choices I have made. I truly followed my heart to start the Aware Parenting Academy. As a result, so many doors have opened for me. After just 5 months, I was able to give my first parent circle/workshop. During the Academy, I was already working on my website, which I never thought I would do so soon. And that was just the beginning. I now have my own practice and do inner child work and other trainings around tantra and relationships. The Academy is very personal because of the 1-on-1 sessions, and because of that, I am growing by leaps and bounds. As a mom, I now stand much stronger in my shoes, and most importantly: I dare to make choices from my heart and am less led by my fears. In the meantime, I have my own business. I host retreats and guide women, among other things, in connecting with their inner child and life energy. Chris, I am so very grateful to you for your love, your wisdom, and your humor. Lots and lots of love!

Willemijn van Duinen

STRONGER AS A COACH AND MOTHER

The Aware Parenting Instructor Program has brought me a lot of depth in helping to learn to connect parents and children more closely. The theory in the books offers valuable insights into the needs and behaviors of children, and how parents can lovingly guide their children through growing up. The combination of live workshops and online group meetings gives the theory more depth and allows you to truly feel and understand what you want to share within families. The most valuable part of the program for me were the personal coaching sessions I had with Chris. Chris is a warm, open woman with a lot of wisdom, which she shares with great respect. In the personal coaching sessions, there was space to explore the challenges I faced in applying Aware Parenting—both in my own home and in the coaching I offered to other mothers in my practice. This truly deepened and strengthened the connection I have with myself, my children, and the parents I work with. I feel more grounded in my own motherhood, and I feel stronger as a coach in my practice, with beautiful, valuable insights to share with my clients. Love,

Angelique Buik-Franken

Q: How can I fit this into a busy family life?
A: The program is flexible. You can plan not all but many of the sessions around your children and schedule, with online options and self-study tasks to suit different situations.

Q: Is this the right time for me?
A: The program suits people in different life stages. It’s best to start when you feel you want to commit, but know it’s offering a lot of support in your daily struggles.

Q: Can I participate if I have a newborn, young children or a busy job?
A: Yes, the program offers partly flexible scheduling, online participation and clear guidance on time investment so it can fit your lifestyle.

Q: Can I use this program to start my own practice?
A: Yes. The program supports both personal development and building a structured offering for parents, schools and professionals.

Q: I’m unsure about my abilities. Will this program suit me?
A: Absolutely. The training provides step-by-step guidance, feedback and a supportive community to help you gain confidence and skills.

Q: Will I receive a certificate?
A: Yes! Complete all requirements and you’ll receive a diploma and be listed on awareparenting.nl. You’ll be holding that certificate in your hands, knowing you’ve taken a big step toward becoming a confident Aware Parenting guide. (Full instructor certification is a separate step!)

Q: Can this program help me become an instructor?
A: Absolutely! Follow the program and complete all elements and you’ll meet almost all the requirements to become an instructor who will be able to lead workshops, guiding parents and see the difference you make in children’s lives.

Q: Can I pay in installments?
A: Yes! Flexible payment plans that suit you, make it easy to invest in yourself. Imagine starting this journey now without financial stress and focusing fully on your growth and impact?

Q: Can I deduct it from taxes?
A: Yes. Business owners and employees can deduct VAT and claim it as a professional investment. Some employers may even cover part or all of the cost for peace of mind knowing your investment is smart both professionally and financially.

Q: Do I need a business or professional experience to join?
A: Not at all! You can join even if you haven’t started a business or worked professionally yet and gain knowledge, confidence and tools that empower you to help children and families, whether or not you already work in this field.

Q: Can I join as a professional?
A: Yes! The program is perfect for coaches, teachers, therapists and childcare professionals. You can integrate this beautiful philosophy, Aware Parenting, into your work, inspire parents and create meaningful change in children’s lives, every day again.

Q: Is this program only for parents of young children?
A: No. It’s for anyone working with children or families, including teachers, pedagogues and therapists to understand deeply the impact in childhood at a deep level, transforming how you support children, families and even your own parenting!

Q: Is the program online or in person?
A: Both! Live online sessions, interactive in-person days in Amsterdam and 1-on-1 guidance, learning in a vibrant, supportive community, connecting deeply with me and other participants while practicing new skills and creating lifelong friendships.

Q: Is it just theory, or practical too?
A: Very hands-on. You’ll do exercises, work with real-life cases, practice with clients and lead your own mini-workshop. Imagine walking away not just with knowledge, but with the experience and confidence to apply it immediately, to transform families, classrooms and your own life.