Do you consider yourself a good parent? It may sound a little subjective, right? I remember asking my own mom if I was doing everything right as a parent. Of course, her answers were favoring my style and choices as a parent, probably because I imitate her and how I was raised as a child. A part of me thought that my time as a child was much different than what it is today. Even parenting has evolved dramatically so that parents need not just seek advice coming from their circle, but also from parent coaches.

It may be a totally new concept to you, but parent coaches are there to give parents their insights on whether what they are doing is right on track when it comes to raising their children. Although traditional parenting is still being practiced these days, the evolving world requires more than just providing the basic needs of the children such as food, shelter, clothing, and education. Parent coaches support you and guide you on how to deal with issues involving your kids and their needs.

What is a parent coach?

A parent coach is an individual who provides support to parents who are facing parenting issues. Unlike medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing or intervening with mental health issues and other health concerns, a parent coach gives you support and encouragement to face the tough world of parenting. They can be considered as consultants, hence, it is safe to say that they are parenting experts who can provide advice based on their own experiences, but also on the current trends when it comes to rearing your children.

A parent coach cannot give you and your children any diagnosis as well as a specific treatment, unless they have a medical background, to begin with, Some parent coaches are medical professionals such as psychologists or pediatricians. And, there are also parent coaches who are from the education sector such as teachers.

As you may notice, the qualification to become a parent coach is not limited to a certain group of professionals. There are several organizations providing parenting coach certification such as Parent Coach International, but the most important thing is their relevant experience with families and children.

So, what does a parent coach do?

Parenting is really a tough job that requires hard work. You might seek advice on how to handle parenting issues from your own parents or even close friends. But some issues you may find more appropriate to discuss with a parent coach. Some parents may even be comfortable opening up to someone who has a parent coach certification. So, what does a parent coach really do and what services can they offer to you as a parent?

• If your child has behavioral problems and you need some help to address these issues. Some children can be aggressive and often misbehave in public. A parent coach can provide effective means on how to handle this without the pressure that is commonly felt by parents of misbehaving children.
• A parent coach shares their own parenting stories or even suggests the best parenting practices based on the current trends. Parenting can be subjective and what might work for others, might not work for you. Parent coaches give suggestions on how you can handle your parenting issues not solely relying on their personal experiences, but also based on research.
• If your family is going through some major changes such as death, divorce or any event that you think will affect your kids, a parent coach may be able to help you go through this difficult situation. They can provide suggestions on how to support your children in terms of their emotional aspect.
• Do you have any parenting issues that need to be addressed? Whether it’s a complicated or a simple inquiry on how to handle your kids, a parent coach can definitely give you guidance on how to deal with your everyday parenting dilemmas.

These are only a few of the many possibilities a parent coach may provide you and your family. The bottom line is your parent coach will be able to guide you to achieve your personal parenting goals.

How do parent coaches offer their services?

A session with a parent coach can be done almost anywhere. But you may consider doing it in the comfort of your own home like most parents do. The reason is simple; your parent coach may be able to observe not only the behavior of your kids when they are at home but also how you respond to these instances and give you appropriate feedback afterward.

For now, since the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on almost everywhere in the world, parent coaching services are mostly being done via video conferencing more often than not. Some families also do sessions through the phone or email, whatever is comfortable for them.

How much do parent coaches charge?

This, perhaps, is the most frequently asked question when it comes to professional services. The parent coaching fee varies from one coach to another, their certifications, and their experiences. In the US, a parent coach may charge roughly about $100 per hour for a coaching session.

Here in the Philippines, a parent coaching session also differs according to the length of the session or the coach himself. A parent coach who specializes as a homeschool coach charges around PHP 3,999.00 or approximately $80.00 for 2 parent coaching sessions.

My parent coach and I

Recently, I consulted a parent coach to discuss a very huge change in our lives, namely homeschooling my children. Although I read a lot about homeschooling and all its ins and outs, I thought consulting a parent coach would be a good way to get homeschool help. My homeschool coach is a seasoned homeschool parent and I must say, she really knows what she is talking about and how to deal with all my parenting issues pertaining to homeschooling.

The best part of our parent coaching session is how she emphasized that taking care of myself is important to be able to take care of my kids, When you fail to take care of yourself, you should not expect that you will be able to take care of your children with flying colors.

A parent coach gives you the encouragement and confidence that although your hands are full, you should also find time to nurture yourself to be the parent that your children need and to meet your parenting goals.

My final thoughts

They say that it takes a village to raise a child. This is very true today because your child is more exposed to external influences such as social media, pressure from society, and perhaps, their own mental and emotional well-being. As a parent, you would definitely want to see your child grow and foster into an individual that possesses the right attitude as he faces this very challenging world. Parent coaches are available to help you see the possibilities and the effects of your parenting style. They are also there to give you valuable pieces of advice on how you can deal with everything that parenting is. It is truly a partnership between you and your parent coach.