Why is parenting so hard?

Nothing really prepares you to become a parent. Some people are fortunate enough to have parents that set a good example and were involved. But many of us grow up in homes where the relationship and interactions between child and parent are dysfunctional, chaotic, and unloving.

But the truth is, even if you had loving parents who did right by you, you can never be fully prepared to handle the tough situations life throws at you with your children. You never really know what issues or behavioral challenges your child may face or struggle with, and how it will affect your family as a whole.

Having children is one of the hardest and greatest things that has happened in my life. It really unearths all the brokenness and wounds I hoped I didn’t have. It keeps me humble and vulnerable. Seeing them grow up and love me back motivates me to keep on trying, work on myself, and give them my best.

I believe most parents love their children, want the best for them, and do everything they can. So why is it not working out? Lack of validation and results can keep parents frustrated and discouraged. As a fellow parent, I have struggled too and have learned some lessons along the way.  

How is parent coaching different from therapy?

Coaching is a bit different from traditional psychotherapy or counseling in that the focus is more goal-directed. Whereas traditional therapy may have you spend weeks exploring past events to recognize how they have contributed to current moods and behaviors, parenting coaching helps you choose a goal (get my child to do their homework without a daily tantrum) and offers tried and true techniques to help get the outcomes you desire.

I utilize concepts of psychology (positive and negative reinforcement, attachment theories, etc), understanding of mental health disorders (ADHD, ASD, etc), and spiritual assessment (What do we all want? What are we (not) responsible for?) to help you formulate realistic goals with practical ideas. I can also assess if symptoms or behaviors could be treated with medication.

Let’s Get You the Results You Want

A coach is that person in your corner that offers the best tools to reach the goals you’ve set and cheers you on as you do the work and take the necessary steps. I’m here to share what I have learned over the years so you can gain control over your own actions and your home.

If you are:

• Looking for ways to address behavioral issues in your child, such as aggression and defiance
• Need help in taking care of yourself and managing your own stress
• Want to learn strategies to support your special needs child’s physical, emotional and social development
• Need guidance on realistic and reasonable expectations in a parent-child relationship

Then please contact me. I invite you to ask as many questions as you need to see if we could be a good fit to work together.