Parent & Child Coaching - The Outcomes

I was asked today about how I improve the lives of others in my work - and it was nothing less than an enlightening task!

As I thought in depth about the journey my clients go on, and the case studies I have done on the long term effects of coaching (see the case study here), I found myself writing what felt like an endless list of impacts possible.

If I were to spend significant time on this task I would suspect these lists to develop and grow to outline not only the impacts on the family, but also those on teachers, friends, employers, and society as a whole.

It humbled me to realised just how powerful these sessions are, and how much ripple effect comes from supporting growth in understanding, and emotional development.

So what do I do that has this incredible impact on the lives of others?

I coach, and I train. However I don't have a wide clientele. In fact I work specifically in supporting parents and professionals in understanding and managing challenging behaviour in children.

Let's look at the impact, and outcomes, which can be achieved through this work. Now not every client gets every single outcome - we have to take into account individual needs, situations and capacity to acknowledge the need for, and work towards positive change. But if every client got just a few from each category (and they consistently do) - you begin to conceptualise the immensity of change possible for every parents and child impacted by our work.

Let's look at the potential outcomes for parents, and children who take part in coaching.

Immediately and within 4 weeks of programme:

Impact on parents - 

• Reduced stress
• Improved parent resilience 
• Developed understanding of why children are struggling
• Provide feelings of being supported
• Give parents hope and confidence
• Reduce feelings of guilt
• Make parents feel heard and understood
• Provide a soundboard for frustration
• Improve parents wellbeing 
• Develop consistency in approach
• Help parents feel prepared and ready to manage challenges

Impact on children - 

• Reduce stress in the family environment
• Develop consistency in the approach from parents supporting growth in trust
• Reduce anger towards children 
• Help children feel heard and understood
• Support feelings of capability to do better
• Remove inappropriate discipline happening in the home
• Increase happiness 
• Improve relationships with parents
• Reduce feelings of guilt 
• Improve well-being

Mid term 4 weeks to adulthood of child:

Impact on parents - 

• Enjoying parenting again
• Feel capable of managing future challenges
• Better connections in relationships in the home
• More trust in their children
• Improved self-esteem 
• Better communication skills 
• Better wellbeing
• Confident and consistent approach to poor behaviour
• Increased ability to stay calm
• Less feelings of anger and despair

Impact on children - 

• Improved wellbeing and self-esteem
• Better ability to manage emotions 
• Higher resilience to challenges
• Less fear
• Better friendships
• Reduced risk of bullying behaviours
• Better relationships with others in the home
• More capable of engagement in learning
• Better communication skills
• Less risk of self-sabotaging or harming behaviours (mentally and physically)
• Less risk of poor mental health
• Increased educational outcomes
• Able to cope with disappointment
• Higher empathy and understanding of others
• Reduced risk of substance abuse

 Long term impact - the ripple effect:

Impact on parents -

• Better memories of child raising
• Solid relationships with children as adults
• Confidence and knowledge to support as grandparents

Impact on children -

• Better adult relationships 
• Confidence and good self-esteem
• Good experience to model for raising own children - being better parents
• Higher overall outcomes 
• Better mental health
• Increased happiness

Why doesn't everyone use a coach?

You would think that with outcomes like these available, almost every parent would hire a coach for themselves, and their child - but they don't. Why is this?

In many cases it is that they simply don't know about coaching, and the positive impact it can have on their family. It is for this reason that Other common reasons are:

• Financial restraints
• Fear of judgement
• Fear of change
• Previous negative experiences with professionals

But for those parents who can and do access coaching, the outcomes far outweigh the barriers they initially face to accessing the support.

For more articles, case studies and coaching support visit www.empoweredparents.co.uk

For advice and support with deeper child mental health visit https://youngminds.org.uk/