Jenny has a son with many gifts, creative and brilliant. When his emotions get too big, however, he explodes leaving the family drained, angry and at a loss of what to do. Through parent coaching we have explored resources for him and spent time on how Jenny can respond in ways that de-escalate rather than escalate him. Together we have discovered ways to calm her nervous system so that she responds with calm and presence rather than reacting with her own heightened emotions. We rediscovered her empathy for his struggles and changed the way she thinks about him. In examining her stress, her self-care, her responses have changed. By working through the parent, the home environment has softened and the family is healing and her son is more regulated.
Lisa and James came to parent coaching because their daughter’s explosive behavior was very difficult to manage and was taking it’s toll on the family system. Parents were exhausted and felt they had tried everything (therapy, medication, school supports, etc.). Through parent coaching we were able to refocus the negative energy and discover the joy and gifts of their daughter and family. While providing real-time strategies and support we were able to release the pressure so that parents could calmly and thoughtfully access their natural intuition and strengths. We discovered that while their parenting styles were very different there was much to be gained from their two perspectives, easing their conflicts.
Ann came to parent coaching as young mother who had lost her confidence in her parenting. Her son was getting in trouble at school and home was quickly feeling chaotic in response to his emotional melt-downs. School was making recommendations that she was not comfortable with though she felt helpless to find alternatives. Through parent coaching we were able to help her gain clarity in her goals and improve her confidence in knowing how to handle tough behavioral situations. As Ann was able to access parenting that was authentic to her, she gained the confidence needed to make important and informed decisions regarding her son’s treatment. We worked together to find her “voice” when she attended difficult and intimidating school meetings. She made intentional decisions around family systems that put joy back in the household despite some difficult behaviors.
Katie, a mother of two, came to coaching to gain understanding and clarity on the special education process as was recommended by her son’s school. Through some psychoeducation she was able to make informed decisions about what would serve her neurodivergent son. Through thoughtful co-collaboration she was able to amplify her son’s gifts (gifts she knew were there but had been forgotten with too much focus on his problems. With this new lens she was able to make an educational decision that served her son and family in a way that met his needs in a unique way; he and the family are thriving.