Should I Work With A Parent Coach?
Do you ever feel like there’s a parenting instruction manual you never received? I mean … there must be, right??? How else are we supposed to know how to handle these situations? Unfortunately, there is no manual, but you are not alone in asking these questions.
The word parenting first started to appear in the 1970s when guidance for raising a family still came primarily from traditional sources such as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. But if you’re a parent today, you know that life in the twenty-first century is much different. Since traditional sources of wisdom have disappeared (or are possibly on the other side of the country), other sources of expertise are filling the gap. One of those is parenting books—there are currently over 32 million parenting books on Amazon. 32 million! Parents of the current generation are thirsty for information. Another source is parent coaching, which is steadily increasing in popularity.
Why? Simply put: parenting is HARD. And it isn’t getting any easier. Parenting can be the most rewarding experience of our lives. But it can also be a challenge. Even when things are going well, it’s common to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and exhausted. When our child experiences their own personal struggles, it’s even more difficult. And what’s one of the hardest parts? Not knowing if what you and your child are experiencing is “normal.” We often get questions like:
· “Are my preschooler’s meltdowns normal? This didn’t happen with my older child.”
· “My child does the exact opposite of what I ask. Why does he do that? It drives me crazy!”
· “I feel like my child’s misbehavior is because I’m not consistent enough. How can I improve that?”
When you throw in life transitions like separation/divorce, adolescence and transitions into elementary, middle or high school, family life can really be thrown off balance, and parents may need a helping hand. Parent coaching provides a safe place for parents to express their concerns, worries, and questions, and receive fresh insights and practical tools from an experienced professional. Unlike parenting books, a parent coach can take into consideration that each family is unique and has specific needs, and coaching can be tailored to suit those needs.
Who Can Benefit from Parent Coaching?
Since additional education is not a requirement for parenthood, seeking support can be incredibly valuable. Parent coaching can be beneficial for any parent who:
· Feels like their child or teen doesn't listen
· Feels like they struggle to understand their child or teen
· Feels like they struggle to communicate effectively with their child or teen
· Deals frequently with power struggles with their child or teen
· Feels that they have lost connection with their child or teen
· Feels unable to manage a developmental milestone or other shift in family dynamics
How Does Parent Coaching Work
Parent coaching starts with a one-on-one session with an experienced therapist who will listen to your concerns and gather family background information. They will then work with you to create a plan to improve connection and decrease conflict in your family. You will be provided with simple, straightforward strategies from the first meeting. For example, some strategies you can try at home are for improving communication, setting expectations and calming for caregivers. You’ll check back in with your coach to build on your successes and at the end of the coaching sessions, you will feel Educated and Empowered and more connected with your child or children.
Working with a parent coach will help you:
· Learn skills and tools tailored to your family’s needs
· Understand the behavior of your child or teen
· Find increased connection with your child or teen
· Understand how your parenting style and strategies affect your child or teen
· Improve communication with your child or teen
· Increase cooperation and responsiveness in your relationship with your child or teen
· Manage stressful family situations
Rising Lotus offers a Parent Coaching package 6 sessions for $1,000, a $100 savings from booking individually. Email us at Info@RisingLotusCenter.com or call 561-898-0708 for more information.