When I tell people what I do, I often get a head-tilt to the right, a scrunched face, and then, “so, wait, what do you do?”
I am a parent coach. After years of teaching, a degree in counseling, some time spent in parent education, and three young children of my own, I found my calling in helping people as a parent coach. Using my knowledge, experience, humor, and kindness, I help parents develop healthier and happier relationships with their children. Yes, I understand some brain science, a lot of normal developmental behaviors in children, and have read book after book after book about what works with children (spanking, no; sticking to routines, yes), but truthfully, almost every parent I meet is doing a great job. They have simply gotten stuck. Stuck in habits that don’t work; stuck in modes of communication which aren’t positive, and stuck in feeling angry, anxious, or guilty (often all three, and within the same hour).
Being a parent coach is a fairly new profession, but it has age-old roots in communities. From your local pastor to your great-aunt; from your wise neighbor to your own grandparents, caring people have been helping parents for generations. I just have the certification and insurance to do it now, in this new world and new time.
I am a parent coach because I have struggled to be the good parent I am today. I did not stride easily into this role. No, my path has been crooked and fraught, and I am grateful for this everyday. No one (well, not many) wants to talk to someone who is perfect in parenting. I could tell you that I have all the answers, but that isn’t the truth and that isn’t why anyone really hires me. Parents need support, kindness, new tools, a non-judgmental ear, and a safe place to say, “I don’t know what to do.” There is no perfect answer for every problem, but I promise to work until we find something that works for your specific family.