Comments on: What is a parent coach good for?

By: Is a parent coach worth it? | The Parent Journey

Is a parent coach worth it? | The Parent Journey — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 02:03:02 +0000

[...] visit: http://www.rookiemoms.com/what-is-a-parent-coach-good-for/ written by [...]

By: Kassandra Brown

Kassandra Brown — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:40:13 +0000

@ Angela – Glad to hear from you and welcoming contact whenever the time is right for you. I love enjoying the flow and remembering I don’t always have to paddle and direct Sounds like you do too!

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:48:07 +0000

Kassandra,
Thank you for your kind offer! You are so sweet. I must stand by my comment above as I can only see *good* coming from your services. I see my life going in ebbs and flows, and thankfully right now it seems to be flowing….and smoothly at that…I am enjoying this portion while it lasts. If the need arises again…I will contact you via Rookie Moms website.
Warmly,
Angela

By: Kassandra Brown

Kassandra Brown — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:08:47 +0000

Thanks for asking about backup plans for issues beyond my scope @Cara. Yes, I have a trusted group of counselors, psychologists, OTs, naturopaths, and others to refer parents to if need be. Many of these helping professionals only work with people in person, though which makes it a little harder to make effective referrals. One of the advantages, and in this case one of the limitations, of my work is that it’s almost all done by distance over the phone/Skype.

But in some ways, I think this direction of inquiry this misses the point of the parenting support I provide. I help you, the parent, learn from and work with your own issues that parenting brings up. I am not offering to help you get your kids to behave a certain way. Children’s behavior often does change when even just one parent becomes more centered, less reactive, and more aware of what’s going on for them. If we focus on your children in a session, the focus is on understanding and creating compassionate awareness of the underlying needs that the child is trying to meet through the acting out behavior. Parenting is the field for study and learning.

Glad to hear so many people thinking about what creates effective support for parents and children. I’d like to hear more comments on the support that does work for you. What resources do you already have? And what sort of help would you like around parenting? In an ideal world, what would parenting support look like for you?

What areas of your relationship with your children would you like to feel safer, happier, and more alive in? What needs to change in order for that to happen? What would your life look like with those changes in place? What’s stopping you from creating those changes today?

By: What is a parent coach good for? | Family Advice

What is a parent coach good for? | Family Advice — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:06:29 +0000

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By: Kassandra Brown

Kassandra Brown — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:49:20 +0000

Tom – glad you’ve been contributing to this thread and comments over the weekend. I like your perspectives. I’ve been offline – focusing on my own family – for the last 3 days.

By: Cara

Cara — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 22:45:27 +0000

Tom, that is really great to hear! I’m sure there are many parents who benefit from your advice and support.

By: Tom Limbert

Tom Limbert — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 20:46:04 +0000

Cara
Indeed there are parenting and behavioral issues that are beyond my realm of services and experience. In a (free) initial consultation, I am quickly able to assess that and yes, recommend other professionals. Sincere thanks for your comments, interest, and perspectives!

By: Cara

Cara — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:49:50 +0000

I do have a question for Kassandra and Tom — as parent coaches, do you have a plan in place/a go-to person when you need to refer out to a psychologist?
This has been the biggest focus of discussion in my talks with friends in my background of study (psychology).
There are certainly times when someone comes to you and you realize that the issue at hand is something that will require more than just parent coaching but also require some intervention for the child, yes? Or more intense counseling for the parent? I’m thinking of someone presenting with Munchausen by Proxy or a child with ADHD or numerous other options that spring to mind:)
This obviously goes along with the liability mention I made earlier as well.
And this isn’t to say that you couldn’t also continue your parent coaching relationship with the person, of course. Just wondering if you also refer to licensed therapists.

By: Tom Limbert

Tom Limbert — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:26:42 +0000

This is fascinating to me. There are people in this world who are driven to exploit others and those that are compelled to help others. I personally went into parent coaching because a. I saw the dire need (parents struggling) b. had learned enough about young children and guiding them to know what works and what doesn’t (some of that through reading but most through working directly with families) c. I had a genuine desire to help. I could go on, but will leave with two thoughts: 1. The real question here is: Why is everyone so sensitive about their own parenting? We will all be better-off and less judgmental the sooner we realize that every time we struggle, there is a personal life-lesson to be learned (I learn more and more every day). That’s what parenting is all about. 2. Green eggs and ham.

By: Cara

Cara — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 05:19:59 +0000

I am so grateful to have a great support system of friends, so I have never felt the need for a coach.
Also, as someone with a degree in Family Studies and psychology with an emphasis in child development, years of experience working with kids, and as a mom…I would never dream of saying to another parent “Let me coach you!” I am still figuring this all out as I go!
It is a growing trend, along with life coaches, and for those of my friends with psychology doctorates in practice, they find it very concerning, and I’m with them. I have literally seen some parent coach sites where under qualifications it says “I have read many parenting books.” Anyone can do that. It doesn’t qualify you to give parent coaching, and the liability issues are HUGE for parent coaches operating without a license.
So for all those reasons, I wouldn’t turn to one.
I have absolutely no doubt that Kassandra is a great person with good advice and well-intentioned (all your comments suggest so, Kassandra:). So I don’t mean it in anyway as a personal attack — just my personal opinion.
And if someone feels they would benefit from a parent coach, then by all means, go for it! Not everyone is lucky enough to have a good support system with honest advice given, I know. My concern isn’t on the side of those seeking it — it is in the qualifications of those giving it. But if you’re seeking advice and are comfortable with the qualifications/experience of the person, then great! I mean people go on anonymous message boards for parenting advice, so why not this if its something you think would help you:)

By: Whitney

Whitney — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:42:21 +0000

@Leslie, this makes me think to ask you why you used the word Therapy in your blog title? Do you have effective therapeutic rituals you are in-the-know about? Help us all out!