Parenting Coaching

In my coaching approach, I guide parents through the complexities of reconnecting with their estranged children using the R.E.C.O.N.N.E.C.T. framework. This process focuses on fostering empathy, healing old wounds, and building sustainable pathways toward reconnection.

R – Reflect
Take a step back and reflect on your own emotions, intentions, and the history of your relationship. Understanding your role in the dynamic helps lay the groundwork for meaningful change.
Example: Journal about your feelings and identify patterns in past interactions.

E – Empathize
Practice deep empathy by seeing the situation from your child’s perspective. This step emphasizes their experiences and feelings without judgment.
Example: Imagine how your child might feel and acknowledge their emotions in your conversations.

C – Commit
Commit to the journey of rebuilding the relationship, even if it’s uncomfortable or slow. This involves showing up consistently with patience and love.
Example: Set realistic expectations and focus on small, positive steps forward.

O – Own Responsibility
Take responsibility for your actions and acknowledge any past mistakes. Owning your part creates an environment of trust and accountability.
Example: Apologize sincerely without defensiveness, focusing on how your actions impacted them.

N – Nurture Trust
Rebuilding trust takes time and effort. By being dependable, consistent, and respectful, you can show your child that they are safe in your presence.
Example: Follow through on your promises.

N – Navigate Boundaries
Respect and honor the boundaries your child sets. Recognize that boundaries are a sign of growth and can lead to a healthier relationship.
Example: Ask what they need from you and honor their requests, even if it’s difficult.

E – Engage Gently
Approach your child with kindness and curiosity, without pushing or pressuring them to reconnect on your timeline.
Example: Start with a heartfelt letter or a small gesture to open communication.

C – Cultivate Patience
Estrangement is a deeply personal process, and healing won’t happen overnight. Patience is key to allowing the relationship to evolve naturally.
Example: Remind yourself that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

T – Transform Together
The ultimate goal is not just reconciliation but creating a new, healthier dynamic. Both parties grow, heal, and transform through mutual respect and understanding.
Example: Celebrate milestones in your relationship and express gratitude for the connection you’re building.

Through this compassionate and intentional process, parents and children can find their way back to love, trust, and understanding, one step at a time.

The B.R.I.D.G.E. Framework is a tailored approach in my coaching designed to support parents through the often challenging journey of co-parenting after divorce. The goal is to ensure that both parents maintain their emotional health, cooperate effectively, and prioritize their child's well-being. Here's how each pillar of the B.R.I.D.G.E. Program is implemented in my coaching:

B - Balance Emotional Needs: I help parents identify and manage their emotions during the divorce process and beyond, ensuring that they don’t inadvertently project their struggles onto their children. Through emotional regulation techniques, we work on fostering emotional resilience, which not only helps parents cope better but also creates a more stable emotional environment for the child.

R - Respectful Communication: Effective communication is essential in co-parenting. I guide parents in developing the skills needed to communicate respectfully and clearly with their ex-partner. This includes learning how to avoid blame, guilt, or criticism and focusing on problem-solving with mutual respect. I also teach parents how to communicate with their children in ways that make them feel safe and understood, without putting them in the middle of conflicts.

I - Inspire Positive Role Models: As a coach, I emphasize the importance of modeling behavior that promotes cooperation, patience, and maturity. Parents are encouraged to approach co-parenting challenges with grace and understanding, setting an example for their children of how to navigate difficult relationships with integrity and calm. This also means showing vulnerability when needed, so children can learn healthy emotional expression.

D - Dedicate to Child-Centered Decisions: I help parents shift their focus away from past grievances and towards their child’s needs and best interests. Through our coaching, parents learn how to make decisions that support their child’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. This often involves practicing active listening with their child, offering reassurance, and ensuring that both parents are aligned in their approach to discipline, routines, and boundaries.

G - Grow Through Challenges: Divorce and co-parenting bring numerous challenges, but they also provide opportunities for personal growth. I guide parents to embrace these challenges with an open mind, reframing obstacles as opportunities to develop better coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills. This helps reduce stress, allowing them to approach co-parenting more mindfully and with a deeper sense of self-awareness.

E - Establish Consistent Routines: Stability is crucial for children during and after a divorce. I work with parents to create consistent routines in both homes that provide a sense of security and continuity. This includes discussing shared values, routines for schoolwork, bedtimes, and special occasions, ensuring both parents are on the same page. The goal is to reduce anxiety for the child and foster a predictable, supportive environment in both homes.

Through the B.R.I.D.G.E. Program, my coaching focuses on strengthening the co-parenting relationship while protecting the emotional health of both parents and children. The emphasis is always on creating a harmonious and supportive environment for the child, which ultimately leads to a healthier co-parenting dynamic. The program helps parents not only survive the challenges of divorce but thrive in their ability to raise emotionally healthy, well-adjusted children.