Parenting Coaching provides a structured and supportive space for parents to gain clarity, develop effective strategies, and enhance their parenting skills. Unlike traditional advice-giving, Parenting Coaching fosters self-discovery by working collaboratively to find solutions uniquely suitable for each family and individual child.

What is Parenting Coaching?

Parenting Coaching is characterized by the following:

• Goal-Oriented: Focus on specific challenges or desired changes in parenting approach, behavior, or family dynamics.
• Skills-Building: Coaches teach effective communication, discipline techniques, and proactive strategies for common issues.
• Child Development Focus: Guidance aligned with your child’s age, temperament, and understanding for age-appropriate approaches.
• Customized Plans: Unlike books, Parenting Coaching accounts for the unique needs of YOUR child and family.
• Parental Empowerment: Emphasizes parental strengths, building confidence in decision-making skills.

How Can Parenting Coaching Help You?

Parenting Coaching offers support for:

• Behavioral Challenges: Defiance, tantrums, bedtime battles – get tools beyond time-outs, tailored to the root cause.
• Emotional Development: Help kids cope with big feelings, build self-awareness – supports parental patience too!
• Sibling Rivalry: Strategies to reduce conflict, foster cooperation, and individual attention within the family dynamic.
• Parenting Philosophy: If overwhelmed by advice, a coach helps identify and implement an approach aligned with your values.
• Proactive Parenting: Anticipate transitions (new baby, school start), preventing problems, not mere crisis management.

What is Parenting Coaching Good For?

Consider Parenting Coaching if you:

• Feel Stuck: Frustration with the same battles, wondering if there’s a better way specific to your child.
• Desire Connection over Control: Want tools beyond threats/punishments to build a relationship where kids WANT to listen.
• New to Parenting: Prevent ingrained habits, start with positive approaches, and feel supported in the early years.
• Parenting after Trauma: Your own, your child’s – coaching can help navigate specific challenges that arise.
• Special Needs Parenting: Added layer of support on top of therapies, for navigating complex emotions and school systems.

Benefits of Parenting Coaching

• Reduced Stress: Feeling equipped to handle meltdowns reduces anxiety, improving patience for everyone.
• Stronger Connection: Understanding your child’s behavior builds empathy and tools for responding effectively.
• Empowered Decision-Making: No more guessing! Coach helps you feel confident your choices are right for YOUR family.
• Tailored Strategies: Personalized plans work better than generic advice as every child/family is unique.

What to Expect with Parenting Coaching

• In-Depth Assessment: Coach explores your goals, child’s temperament, current parenting style to inform strategies.
• Skills Practice: Role-play scenarios, trying communication techniques with coach’s feedback offers real-world prep.
• Homework: Yes, it exists! Assignments might be observing your child, trying a new strategy, etc.
• Progress, Not Perfection: Coaching is about positive steps forward, knowing setbacks are normal, and having support at those times.

Similar Modalities to Parenting Coaching

• Parent Support Groups: Focus on shared experience, less on individual plans, but offer community and validation.
• Family Therapy: If conflicts impact the whole family, this broader approach may be needed alongside Parent Coaching.
• Parenting Classes: Can provide a foundation, coaches go deeper, helping you APPLY the knowledge to your specific situations.

Final Thoughts

Parenting Coaching views challenges not as failures but as an opportunity to learn new skills and strengthen your parenting toolkit. Through guided support, you’ll gain the confidence and practical tools to navigate the ever-evolving journey of parenting, fostering a happier and healthier family environment.

Scientific References

• Cluver, L., Lachman, J. M., Boyes, M., Gardner, F., Johnson, V., Sherr, L.,… & Gardner, F. (2016). Development of a theory-driven, scalable intervention to prevent maltreatment of children raised in institutional care. Child Abuse & Neglect, 62, 83-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.09.009
• Kaminski, J. W., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2008). A meta-analytic review of components associated with parent training program effectiveness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(4), 567–589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9201-9

• McCart, M. R., Priester, P. E., Davies, W. H., & Azen, R. (2006). Differential effectiveness of behavioral parent-training and cognitive-behavioral therapy for antisocial youth: A meta-analysis. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 34(4), 527-543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-006-9031-1

Recommended Reading

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish (communication skills)
• Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham
• The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson