Parent Coaching
“Parenting is the hardest job you will ever do”. You may have heard some variation of this statement. Typically, it is said by a well-meaning friend or family member when a parent is in the midst of a crisis with their child. It can be validating to hear these words when you are at your wit's end. The question then becomes… “So, what do I do now?”. This is where I can help.
What is Parent Coaching?
Coaching is a strengths-based, goal-oriented process that facilitates positive changes and personal growth. A parent coach helps parents to identify their strengths, core values, and parenting style. Through a collaborative process, the coach and parent develop a plan to achieve the changes the parent determines will help them be more effective in their role. The parent is considered the expert on their family. As your coach, I will work with you to create a personalized roadmap to navigate the challenges of parenting as well as to maximize the joy of this rewarding journey.
Parent coaching is not therapy. Therapy is typically focused on mental health concerns and uses various approaches to achieve wellness. Parent coaching focuses on existing strengths and helps the parent develop new skills and strategies to achieve their goal. If your child is receiving therapy for mental health concerns, parent coaching is often an integral part of the treatment approach. I meet with parents at regular intervals to assist them to implement strategies to support the child’s treatment goals. Parent coaching may also be done without the child being in therapy.
Why Work with a Parent Coach?
Parent coaching can be beneficial at any stage of the parenting journey. As children develop, adjustments must be made to meet developmental needs. As mentioned above, if your child is receiving therapy, parent coaching may be part of their treatment plan. The child is the client, and the parent is coached on how to support the child’s goals. You may also engage in parent coaching to achieve your own goals of improving your parenting. You may want to parent differently than how you were parented. You may want to better understand developmentally appropriate expectations as your child grows. You may be feeling overwhelmed and want to find ways to achieve a calmer, healthier family environment, while strengthening your relationship with your child. Here are some of the problems that parent coaching can help with:
Behavioral issues
Tantrums and meltdowns
Sibling conflicts
Communication difficulties
Problems with enforcing rules and limits
Family transitions (divorce, death, other family changes)
Supporting a neurodivergent child
Ready to get started?
Unlock your full potential as a parent with personalized guidance, practical strategies, and a supportive partner. I encourage you to reach out today for a free consultation to learn more about how I can support you and your family.