Parent-Focused Coaching

TFW – the most complex job keeps getting more complicated.

It’s hard to admit that parenting is often a significant challenge because it’s easy to take that as an indication that something is wrong with your parenting. There are a lot of pressures, obligations, and “should haves” from society for parents to have it all figured out 24/7/365, and your child’s behavior directly reflects you.

And that’s for the stuff other people can see and comment about you. These expectations also sneak into our minds and show up as mean-spirited criticism for the vulnerable stuff that only we could know.

“I can’t believe you’re intimidated by your child’s behavior – that’s so embarrassing.” “You don’t have time to be overwhelmed – get it together!” “How can you be afraid of facing your own child’s behavior?! That’s so weak.” “This is a complete disaster! Do you even know what your child needs?”

Deep down, you know it’s true that your child’s behavior isn’t a reflection of you. And when you can set aside the expectations from others or the problems you hope to solve, it’s easier to feel the truth. What remains is a motivation to keep growing into the parent you want to be.

There are plenty of parenting experts, but none are perfect for you.

What are parents to do with the paradox that your kiddo didn’t come with an owner’s manual, yet thousands of books, podcasts, and personalities claim they have found the secret to optimal parenting?

Decades of research emphasize a core set of so-called “positive parenting” strategies that are good for all children. These conclusions are anticlimactic in the same way that someone telling you to exercise more, eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and get more sleep will lead to better overall health and longevity.

You already know that the challenge is sustainably putting those healthy habits into your life while tending to all your other responsibilities! But a parenting resource that restates the obvious isn’t going to sell. And with so many parenting fads out there, it’s hard to tell which have something new and valuable to offer and which are old wines in new bottles.

And no matter how promising the approach sounds, it’s too abstract to learn about parenting in a book or podcast and then apply that advice to your own life.

Get the guidance you need to become the parent your child needs you to be.

Most of us need to have parenting strategies brought to life as vividly as our relationship with our child for those strategies to turn into habits. You can do this by trial and error – and you have.

But if something doesn’t work, without an expert guide, it’s hard to tell why it didn’t work. Was the strategy a poor fit from the start? Was it your execution? Did you do everything right, but it takes more time to see the results?

And then there’s the issue of the moving target that comes with your child’s needs changing as they grow. Just like you can’t stand in the same river twice, your child is growing up so quickly that what works today probably won’t last long.

I guide my clients to think about changes they might make in terms of what would cultivate a more nurturing environment for their children. My approach is more like a gardener than an engineer. That perspective makes it easier for us to see what needs adding or removing so your child can have an opportunity to thrive.

Don’t spend another day in analysis paralysis or feeling like you’re going in circles. Reach out today to see if working together could offer the breakthrough you hope to achieve.