As a parent, we're doing one of the most important jobs there is. Yet it's a job
where the role changes regularly; a job for which there is no manual, never mind
remuneration, and new challenges every day just to throw us off track. Whether
it's sibling rivalry, risk‐taking or challenging behaviour, we find ourselves, as
parents, concerned about our children's happiness and safety. A massive
responsibility ‐ yet our skill sets don't come close to what is required even to get
through breakfast some days. Praying for and wanting secure and contented,
emotionally‐balanced children may be the first step, but what on earth is the
second? How do we actually get there?
People who have seriously studied what children need to thrive remind us of the
dangers of authoritarian and controlling styles¹. We know, from our own
experience that we cannot make our children happy or successful. We cannot
force them to behave appropriately, without damaging their self‐esteem in the
long run. The bookshelves are heavy with how‐to manuals to shape and mould
our children from babies as if they were made of clay.
There is a danger however, in following the advice of peers and so‐called
parenting 'experts' rather than trusting our own instincts and values. This is
where Parent Coaching is different. A Parent Coach supports you to create your
own unique solutions for your own situation. After all, you're the parent. You
know the individual family members. You know the group interactions and
dynamics – and you know the family history. And you're the one who is
personally invested in the outcomes. You're going to be living with the
consequences. You're the one who's going to be there for the long haul.
So there's no one better than you, the parent, to be guiding the helm of the
family.
The Parent Coach will help you become more aware of what is working in your
home, and perhaps what isn't. What might your children be trying to tell you
through their behaviour? A classic example: a child who is feigning illness to
avoid a bully at school. With a coach, you can experience – and learn – the
listening and communication skills to figure out what's needed to solve
problems, improve relationships and create the family you've always dreamed
of.
Working with a Parent Coach means there is someone there alongside you – not
to tell you what to do, but to encourage you. A Parent Coach is at all times nonjudgemental
and is trained to help you get to what really matters, to create the
family life you desire.
At times the Parent Coach may offer you a helpful insight or a useful tool. Mostly
though, a Parent Coach is there to listen to you ‐ and to give you the tools to
figure out your own solutions for your unique family situation.
And as you experience the power of Parent
Coaching you'll discover it has an incredible
knock‐on effect in your own parenting.
You'll find yourself equipped with the skills
to coach your kids when they face challenging
situations!
You'll have powerful tools to build your
children's decision making skills and self
esteem.
You'll know how to support your child's
emotional intelligence – one of the most
important keys to success in life²
Being a coaching parent is an empowering way
of connecting that makes family life more
enjoyable and fulfilling ‐ for all family
members.
¹ - Kohn, Alfie; Unconditional Parenting
² - Goleman, Daniel; Emotional Intelligence – why it can matter more than IQ
Do you want to discover how to:
- deal effectively with children’s challenging behaviour?
- talk so your child will listen and listen so your child will talk?
- support your child to succeed?