Parents take on many roles throughout the various stages of childhood: Teacher, Administrator, and now, I’m adding a 3rd role- Coach!
Teacher
Ages 0-6
Parents spend hours doing day-to-day activities
Administrator
Ages 7-12
Kids are more independent and social
Parents support their child in this stage without giving up their role as teacher
Some refer this stage as “taxi driver” – parents provide transportation, help organize events, manage their child’s schedule, and support them while they explore their interests
Coach *New Role*
Ages 13-20
Kids begin to manage their own schedules
Kids begin to make personal decisions
Parents, sometimes, lose their role as teacher/administrator and are confused on what their role is – they start taking on various characteristics, such as: nagging to get homework done and to pick up clothing, frustrated at the silent treatment, etc.
THIS IS WHERE THE CHANGE HAPPENS = Your New Role is now COACH!
Parents support their teenager to strive for a full life – now and after they have left the nest
Your role as parent is going to encompass COACH in the title
DEFINITION OF COACH: One who helps another to explore his or her potential and support them in moving on to bigger and better things.
GOALS FOR TEENAGERS: to know that they matter, to respect and appreciate themselves and others around them, to want to extend themselves in a compassionate way to others, to be a part of society, to embrace challenges in life, and to learn how to listen to others.
WHO DOESN’T WANT THAT FOR THEIR CHILD?
