Parenting today.

Many parents are feeling overwhelmed and confused with the plethora of parenting information available from multiple sources, much of it easily accessible 24 hours per day. Some of the recommendations do not necessarily sit comfortably with their own parenting approach and at times is in direct conflict. However, parents are seeking support to strengthen their own confidence and are looking to these ‘experts’ but instead are left feeling less willing to trust their own instincts and what they intuitively understand children need: family, love, safety, security, healthy food, play, learning and education and (importantly) sleep!

The framework.

The parent coach framework acknowledges and elevates the parental instinct of unconditional love and the psychological drive to be caring, responsive and sensitive to the emotional and physical needs of children. However, it respectfully acknowledges the lived experience of the parent and provides the toolkit and strategies to foster the parent-child relationship. Parents will be coached to reflect on their own parenting experiences and the learned family values they bring to parenting. Parents, as the expert of their own child, will develop an understanding about parenting strategies that are appropriate for children based on their child's developmental stage and temperament. All of this will be examined in the context of the dynamics of the family, the work and life timetable and the rituals and rules the family honour.

The framework is underpinned by research, evidence and practice wisdom that I have gained over 30 years working in Paediatric, Adolescent and Maternal and Child Health Nursing.