3 Things You Didn’t Know About Parent Coaching
Parenting is one of the most challenging, yet most rewarding jobs ever! If you’re struggling with your role or confidence as a parent, we want you to know that you’re not alone.
There are many resources available to help you along the journey from pregnancy to postpartum to parenting and beyond… You may have already heard of parent coaching or coaching for parents and you might be wondering what it is and how it can help…
Parent coaching is a collaborative and direct approach to support parents on their journey through parenthood. This is a professional relationship focused on providing the parent with an increased ability and set of tools to manage their role as a parent while developing a resilient and well-adjusted child.
Parent coaches can provide support during a crisis or when behavioral concerns occur. However, many families use parent coaches as a sounding board throughout their parenting journey. You may be wondering if this is something that would help your family or your child.
Here are 3 things you didn’t know about parent coaching that may help you decide.
It’s Different Than Therapy:
Most people may be surprised to hear parent coaching is different from individual therapy. Rather than exploring the past and guiding the client through their own self-discovery, a parent coach is direct and action-oriented. A parent coach will focus on the present and current issues the parent shares.
Through thorough assessment, the parent coach will identify targeted areas of change. The parent will be educated on new parenting techniques and provided with concrete tools to use at home.
Parent coaching is practical and solution-focused. The parent will have skills they can use immediately, even after the first session. After receiving parent coaching, the parent will have a better understanding of what drives a child's behavior and what they can specifically do to shape it.
Parent Change Makes a Big Impact:
Often when children are displaying behavioral issues, a parents first reaction is to get them in therapy or blame them for their behavior. It is unlikely parents self-reflect, or look at themselves and what may be contributing to the child's behavior.
Parent coaching provides a safe space for parents to look at their own behavior, consider some of the triggers they may be contributing to or behaviors they may be reinforcing based on their responses. A parent coach will help to shape these behaviors in a more adaptive way and increase a parents own self-regulation skills. This puts the parents in control and increases a child's ability for success!
In addition, oftentimes, children will work on their behaviors and develop coping skills in their own therapy. However, when they return to the home, the same triggers and reinforcers occur, making it difficult for the child to truly change their behavior. With the help of a parent coach, a parent and child together can make actual effective change.
Coaching for Parents is Highly Effective:
After engaging in parent coaching, parents report an immediate change in their home. They see changes in their child’s behavior based on the way they are responding to them. Additionally, they see their children from a different perspective which allows them to respond differently.
Children also display increased self-esteem and greater ability to complete challenges as they feel the support of their parents and feel they are on their side. Parents are experts in knowing their children and have tons of information to contribute in making their home a more harmonious place.
Get Started With Parent Coaching Today!
If you’re struggling with parenting your child/children and are looking for more support, guidance, and effective strategies to reclaim peace, harmony, and happiness in your home, we’re here to help!
Give us a call at 954-391-5305 to speak with one of our licensed counselors at Bayview Therapy who can provide coaching for parents. We have offices in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Plantation, Florida and also provide parent coaching online across the state of Florida via our secure telehealth platform.
Jessica Califf, LMFT offers parenting coaching and counseling for children, teens, adults, and families at our beautiful Plantation, Florida office. Give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
We look forward to helping you and your family live your best life!
