What Would You Do to Help your Child?
“I would do anything to help my kid.” We hear this a lot. We also hear parents say things like, “I’m so done bending over backward for my kid; I just want them out.”
It’s a common sentiment, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed. But let’s face it—actually making a change is often harder than it looks, even when your motivation is sky-high.
Research consistently shows that the role parents play in their child’s mental health is crucial for their growth and stability. While it’s easy to think finding the right therapist is the magic key to your teen’s well-being, the truth is that parents diving into their own issues can have an even bigger impact.
Why is this the case? Teens and young adults are still developing—especially their brains. They haven’t quite mastered the skills needed to make lasting changes. When you throw in anxiety, depression, trauma, or ADHD, the challenge becomes even more daunting.
Let’s not forget that even adults with fully formed brains don’t always have it all figured out when it comes to:
- Emotional regulation
- Healthy communication
- Responding instead of reacting
- Critical thinking
- Mental flexibility
Sure, we have more life experience, but we still struggle.
So, what does it take to create meaningful change? It requires self-awareness, a willingness to put the ego aside, and the courage to embrace new perspectives. This is where we step in.
Now, I have to challenge the “I would do anything…” mindset. Yes, you want to help, but it’s vital to acknowledge that while you didn’t cause your child’s struggles, you do contribute to them. Understanding that can be a game-changer.
If I could get every parent I work with to say, “I contribute to this, and I’m ready to be coached,” it would set the stage for real transformation.
Drawing from my own experience as a college soccer player, I know that coaching—receiving feedback, being pushed to improve—was integral to my growth. It was tough at times, but the value of that coaching was undeniable. And trust me, parenting is far more critical than a sports career.
Yet, many parents we work with aren’t fully ready to embrace the coaching process.
In the upcoming blogs, we’ll explore what it means to be coachable, how to assess your readiness, and how to develop the skills needed to truly be coached—all built on the foundation of why this matters.
Remember, we’re here to help families thrive. The kids are the motivation, but parents are the key.
Interested in more? Check out Parts 2 and 3 of this series.
Part 2: Navigating the Challenges of Coachability
Ready for More?
Solutions Parenting Support, LLC is a nationally recognized parent support and transition program assisting parents and families with straightforward and compassionate skills based support prior to, during and after wilderness therapy and/or residential treatment. Solutions is a dynamic team of parent coaches who have had extensive careers as therapists in wilderness therapy or residential treatment before turning their talents towards coaching parents around the globe. The team is family system focused and are licensed professional therapists and/or social workers each with 15-30 years of experience working in wilderness therapy programs, varying levels of residential treatment programming, and transitional support.
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