Coaching for Parents / Coaching for Children

Thanks in part to the popularity of reality television shows such as Nanny 911 and Supernanny, parents have been introduced to the benefits of coaching to strengthen relationships and communication within families – specifically between themselves and their children.

Do you need to have "failed" as a parent to accept coaching?

Again because of the TV shows, many parents feel that family coaching is only necessary when they have failed in some way and have particularly difficult children. Family coaching may be a little too personal and private for many.

However, like any other form of coaching, parent coaching or family coaching can give parents and their children practical frameworks around which to develop better understanding of each other’s expectations and hopes (and boundaries).

A typical parent coaching intervention might include

• the observation of parents with their children
• followed by discussions as to how the parents want to improve their existing skills as supportive and communicative and responsive parents to their children
• followed by one to one, couple, and/or family sessions that focus on these improvements and how they can be achieved in a realistic and comfortable time frame.

Can "good parenting" be taught?

Critics argue that good parenting cannot be taught, that it is intuitive, natural, and no-one else’s business. However, as has been observed in the TV shows mentioned above, external interventions within the family can provide important means for parents and their children to becoming more confident about articulating their respective needs to each other and breaking down barriers to good communication within the family unit.

Coaching for kids is not about moulding the perfect child – or the perfect parent. It is about strengthening existing ties and bonds and emotions within the family as a whole.

More About Coaching for Children and Coaching for Parents