I’m often asked, what is involved in parenting coaching? What would parents gain from coaching?
My response is that it is rich ground for coaching. We generally plan out every part of our lives in one way or another; our education, learning how to drive, buying a house, going on holiday. But how many people plan the parenting of their children? How many parents actually take the time to think about what their goals are in parenting, or what they hope to achieve in the twenty-something years they spend raising children to adulthood?
Add to this the fact that much of a parent’s hectic life involves reacting to situations. Fire-fighting, winging it and thinking on their feet are the usual modus operandi.
It is often said that children don’t come with a handbook, but in reality how could anyone write a one-size-fits-all book for parents? It would be almost impossible to address the endless variations of personalities, strengths and values of individual children and individual parents.
I invite you to take a few moments of quiet uninterrupted time to ponder the following questions:
What are your hopes and aspirations for each child?
What are their hopes, aspirations, interests, talents, skills or leanings?
What are your goals in parenting each child? For this question, imagine 10, 15 or 20 years into the future when your child is a young adult. This will help you identify the qualities and abilities that you would wish them to have.
Then come back to the present and think about how you can nurture those qualities, starting today.
