Michelle received her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology
and Audiology in 1993 and a masters degree in Communication Disorders in
1995 from the University of Texas at Dallas. She completed her
internship at Medical City Dallas Hospital and earned her Certificate of
Clinical Competence (CCC) in 1996 from the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her most memorable case of
therapy involved "Kay" - a two year old found a the bottom of a swimming
pool. Seeing the dedication of Kay's mother to the recovery of her
severely brain damaged child, Michelle developed an early and profound
respect for all Mothers. In 2000, Michelle took a break from working to
start her own family, having three girls in five years. Immersed in all
things "Mommy", Michelle decided to write a book dedicated to people
just like her: confused, amazed, exhausted, guilt-ridden, and baffled on
what-to-do-next. Journey with her as she writes with empathy ("..while I
write this very sentence, my child is trying to tear her crib apart in a
raging, screaming, fit..."), dedication to getting tough ("Throw that
guilt monster out the window, girlfriend!") and a professional eye for
what really works in toddler discipline. Teaming up with Dr. Rita
Chandler, a Nationally Certified expert in behavior, Michelle decodes
the technical aspect of steps to improving problem behavior, but stays
devoted to teaching discipline techniques with the emotions of
caregivers in mind.