When my kids were little, I used to Google my parenting questions after midnight (or after their third intense meltdown of the day). So if that’s you, you’re not alone.

Raising kids, especially strong-willed boys or kids with ADHD type traits, can be rewarding but wildly confusing at the same time – often within the same five minutes. And while there’s no handbook for parenting, there are ways to get help and raise kids who can bounce back from any challenge. That’s where a certified parent coach comes in.

What Is a Certified Parent Coach?

A certified parent coach is a trained professional who partners with parents like you to manage everyday (and not-so-everyday) challenges. Unlike therapy, which often focuses on the past, parent coaching is action-oriented. Think of it as boots-on-the-ground changes – new ways of doing things, communication strategies that inspire kids to listen, and customized solutions that fit your family – not one-size-fits-all solutions you can get in a parenting book. 

Since I received my parent coach certification from The Parent Coaching Institute in 2010, I’ve been a parenting consultant and coach to hundreds of moms at their wits’ end, especially moms who are unsure about how to handle their son’s defiance, aggression, emotional outbursts, or growing obsession with screens. Most moms I work with have read tons of books and tried many traditional strategies, but when it comes to finding a parenting approach that works, they come up empty. That’s the exact problem parent coaching services are designed to solve.

What’s the Connection to “Resilience”?

For kids today, the world is uncertain. It’s full of pressure and digital distractions, not to mention lots of confused adults. Helping them build resilience is critical. Resilient kids are like buoys. They bounce back when they get pushed down. They know how to deal with stress and adapt to change. If you can teach them these life skills, imagine what’s possible.  

But resiliency is a learned skill. We teach it to children through relationships, routines, and helping them survive hard experiences. They need a parent who knows what to do when the chips are down. When parents have a plan and feel sturdy in their approach, they can lead their child through challenges with confidence and teach them resilience. 

During the pandemic, the most resilient kids had parents who did exactly that. 

Avoid the Cookie-Cutter Strategies

If your child is neurodiverse or has a strong personality, knowing which advice to follow is complicated, especially if none of the advice you’ve received so far has worked very well. If things like consequences, time-outs, sticker charts, and offering empathy seem to backfire, you know what I’m talking about. 

As a certified parent coach, I take a strengths-based approach, helping parents understand their child’s unique wiring, intrinsic motivators, what’s fueling difficult behavior, and implementing strategies that are designed to work. That might mean…

• Knowing what to say (and not say) when your son screams, “I hate you”
• Setting limits that don’t create massive power struggles
• Finding ways to build executive functioning skills without nagging

As a parent coach, I aim for connection and a solid relationship between parents and kids…not perfection. 

What to Expect from Parent Coaching

Most parent coaching services start with a free consultation or a low-cost trial session to identify the family’s unique challenges and ensure the coach and client are a match. From there, we co-create a plan based on the highest priorities, which could range from fewer meltdowns to less conflict, less yelling, or less chaos at home. We can address homework and screen battles, or how to inspire better cooperation without bribes or threats. Or all of the above.

 

Coaching can happen privately, in group settings, or even through workplace wellness programs. Smart companies bring in parenting consultants to support employee wellbeing or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) – because stressed-out parents are often stressed-out employees. 

Why Parent Coaching Works

If you’re looking for generic advice, head to Instagram. If you need customized strategies that work for your child, consider hiring a parent coach. One of the most common things I hear from clients is, “I wish I’d started this sooner.”

Here’s why parent coaching works:

• It’s collaborative: No judgment. No blame. 
• It’s personalized: No cookie-cutter techniques.
• It’s skills-based: You’ll walk away with tools that build resilience and strengthen your relationship with your child.

And the ripple effect is real. When a child feels emotionally safe and supported, they show up differently at school, with friends, and in the world. And fast forward 20 years, you’ll have a great relationship with them. 

The Bottom Line

Parenting is one of the most important things you do. Don’t do it alone. If you’re navigating school-age struggles, behavioral issues, or just want to raise a kid who can handle life with courage and flexibility, a certified parent coach might be exactly what you need.

Whether you’re dealing with ADHD, emotional outbursts, sibling conflicts, screen time battles, or the stress of balancing work and home life, get help…whether that’s from me or someone else. 

And by the way, if you’re a school administrator, PTA rep, or HR leader, bringing in a parenting speaker or coach can improve the lives of families you serve. I’ve seen firsthand how a 60-minute talk can shift everything for a mom (or dad) who’s been barely hanging on.

Want to learn more about working together? Check out my offerings for individuals and small group or for schools, and companies. 

FAQs: How a Certified Parenting Coach Can Help

1. What does a certified parent coach do? We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you to come up with strategies to overcome things like tantrums, defiant behavior, kids not listening, screen time issues, school refusal, picky eating, backtalk, and more. We customize the approach to fit your family’s needs and goals.

2. How is parent coaching different from therapy? Parent coaching is future-focused and action-oriented. In therapy, you’ll explore past trauma, your own childhood, or emotional patterns, but in parent coaching, we’ll develop practical strategies for everyday parenting challenges.

4. Is working with a parenting coach worth the money? Yes! For some reason, parents have an easier time investing in soccer season and piano lessons than in finding peace at home. But reducing meltdowns, improving communication, and building confidence will last a lifetime. And it can save you money on therapy and other problems later. 

5. Can schools or companies bring in a certified parent coach to speak?

Absolutely. I speak at schools and companies that want to offer parenting workshops or lunch-and-learns to support families. It’s a great way to improve the quality of life and well-being for everyone in the community. Learn more here.