What to Expect from Parent Coaching in Houston
Parenting is the hardest, best job that a lot of us will ever have. It’s also one of the most important! So some help on the way may feel like a good idea. If you’ve been interested in adding a parent coach to your team, you may have done some research and booked an appointment. But how’s it going to go, and what should you do to prepare for your first coaching session?
Here are some ideas about what to expect from your parent coaching session in Houston.
First, Fill in the Forms!
Houston parent coaches want to start where you are, so they’ll probably ask you to fill in some forms about your family, including your kids, what your concerns are, and other background information. All of it really helps get your parent coaching off to a great start--your coach will know something about you and your family before you even have a meeting, so they’ll have some ideas right off the bat. Be as thorough and honest as you can. The more information your coach has to start with, the quicker the process will be.
You’ll Get Information about Your Houston Parent Coaching Provider
Your parent coach will let you know when, where, and for how long you’ll be meeting. A lot of sessions can occur virtually, via a telehealth appointment, making them even more convenient.
Your Concerns Are Important!
In parent coaching, your goals for your family are set by focusing on what you think could be better. Your parent coach will want to know about what’s NOT working in your family so they can help you set goals for what you WANT to happen. Sharing these concerns can feel really vulnerable--we tend to be really hard on ourselves as parents and don’t want others to know about our mistakes. But rest assured that your parent coach is not in the business of judging you! They’re there to help, to join you in getting your family to where you want to go.
Be Ready to Talk About What’s Working, Too
Parent coaches know that parents have already tried as hard as they can to make things go better in their family, and they want to build on the successes that you’ve had (whether or not they’ve felt especially successful!). There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. If you have tricks and tools that work, your parent coach will want to know about them. After all, you know your child better than anyone, so that expertise will help your parent coach refine what’s working (and what’s maybe not).
You’re in Charge
Parent coaching in Houston is done by professionals with lots of experience and knowledge (for more tips about questions to ask a potential parent coach, click here). But you’re still the one who knows what you want for your family. You decide where to set your sights, and your parent coach will help you get there.
Recommendations and Techniques
After you’ve set your goals with your parent coach and they know enough about your parenting style and your kids’ tendencies, they’ll give you some ideas about what to try. It’s important to listen closely, ask questions, take notes, and generally dig into the information you’re getting. Your coach will be giving you recommendations based on your individual situation, so they’ll be custom-tailored to give your family what it needs to succeed. You can work with your parent coach to fine-tune the approaches you will try.
The Value of Parent Coaching
Parent coaches can be a great way to get support. They’re 100% in your corner and ready to help you reach your family’s goals. But here’s the truth: you’ll get the best bang for your buck by working hard between your sessions. Your parent coach may give you suggested techniques that feel weird and uncomfortable at first. But you’ve worked hard to pick an expert that you trust, and here’s where that work starts to pay off. The uncomfortable truth is that what you’ve tried so far is probably not working for you--that’s why you’ve invested in parent coaching. So give it a try!
Keep track of the tools you use and the differences you see, both positive and negative. That way when you go back for your next parent coaching session, you and your coach can see what’s a fit and what you can leave behind. Believe us, no parent coach is going to want you to keep using a recommended tool if you’re seeing no improvement after a reasonable amount of time.
Still Not Sure What to Expect?
We get it. Sometimes you just want to talk to someone who can tell you more. We are happy to do that, at no charge! Just give us a call at (713) 936-0633 and we’ll schedule you for a free phone consultation with one of our parent coaches. If we’re not the right fit for you, we can give you some other resources to consider.