August 8, 2008
By Isabelle Zehnder and Jane Richards

We live in a society where parents no longer look inward or trust their own instincts when it comes to parenting. The bond between mother and child has been eroded and they don’t have the same connection they had 100 years ago. Our fast-paced society, the high cost of living, and the economy have pushed parents into the workplace and out of the home leaving them less time to spend with their kids.

Kids are going off to preschool and daycare rather than being home with their families. Our society expects Baby Einsteins when all a baby wants is to be with its parents, to be close, and to be loved.

There is a great deal of hype today about teens and parents are feeling apprehensive as they attempt to maneuver these uncharted waters. Society encourages us to doubt ourselves and our own intuition. Preparing for the teen years is as important as preparing for bringing home a new baby. Reading books, watching DVDs, attending workshops, listening in on a telecourse are all great. It is part of doing your homework as a parent.

Although these things can be helpful some parents need more and that’s where coaching comes in.

Coaching works to help parents regain the confidence they may have lost. It says to the parent that you as an individual are resourceful creative and whole. You are the one who knows best. Coaching holds the client in a high regard and allows the client to delve into what works for them instead of someone telling them what they should do. It allows the client to take ownership of their role, do the work, and take the power to parent on.

True parenting abilities come from within. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, feeling that’s what we should be doing. But what really works is looking at who we as parents are, at what our intuition is telling us.

That’s why coaching is so powerful. It helps parents to look within to find what their unique abilities are, what they have to offer. You as a parent are your kids’ best bet! Your child or teen can lean on you because they know you won’t let them down. There is great strength in learning to tap into your own intuition and doing what you know to be right rather than what someone else told you was right.

Dare to be different, to find your unique self, and to be the best parent you can be. 
 

2009© by Positive Family Solutions™

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  Isabelle Zehnder
  Certified Family Coach
  Specializing in Family and Teen Issues
  www.positivefamilysolutions.com
  coaching@positivefamilysolutions.com
  Tel: (360) 723-5253