Parenting has never been more complex than it is today. Children face unprecedented challenges—from navigating social media pressures to adapting to evolving social norms. Meanwhile, parents are juggling their own careers, mental health needs, and additional caregiving responsibilities, often without adequate support or guidance.

The truth is, most parents are figuring it out as they go, with no formal training on how to raise resilient, confident children. This is where parent coaching steps in to fill a crucial gap.

Parent coaches provide evidence-based strategies, personalized guidance, and consistent support to help families thrive. They partner with parents to create more harmonious relationships and confident parenting practices.

Let’s explore what parent coaching can offer to clients and how you can start a career in this much-needed field.

What is Parent Coaching?

Parent coaching supports parents, and primary caregivers navigate the complexities of raising children.

Through personalized guidance and evidence-based strategies, parent coaches help families improve their relationships and consciously choose parenting strategies that work for them. They work closely with parents to understand their unique situation, values, and experiences.

Since no single solution fits all families, parent coaches help clients identify their strengths and find solutions for their specific challenges. Instead of dictating how parents should raise their children, a parent coach facilitates reflection and holds them accountable so they can realize their vision of successful parenting.

The Role of a Parent Coach

A parent coach plays a vital role in supporting parents throughout their parenting journey. Unlike therapists or counselors, parent coaches are trained professionals who specialize in providing practical strategies and resources to help parents overcome common parenting challenges. Their primary goal is to empower parents to become confident, capable, and compassionate caregivers.

Parent coaches work closely with parents to understand their unique situations and tailor their guidance to meet specific needs. They offer evidence-based advice and personalized support, helping parents develop effective parenting skills and create a nurturing family environment. By focusing on actionable steps and fostering self-reflection, parent coaches enable parents to raise children with greater ease and confidence.

Key Skills for Parent Coaches

Effective parent coaches possess a range of key skills that enable them to provide valuable support to families. These skills include:

• Active Listening and Empathy: Understanding parents’ concerns and feelings is crucial for building trust and rapport.
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Clear and compassionate communication helps in conveying strategies and advice effectively.
• Knowledge of Child Development and Parenting Principles: A deep understanding of child development stages and parenting techniques is essential for providing relevant guidance.
• Ability to Provide Practical Strategies and Resources: Offering actionable advice and tools that parents can implement in their daily lives.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Being able to adjust approaches to suit the diverse needs of different families.
• Strong Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution Skills: Helping parents navigate and resolve conflicts within the family.
• Ability to Maintain Confidentiality and Professionalism: Ensuring a safe and respectful environment for parents to share their challenges.

These skills enable parent coaches to effectively support parents in developing the skills and confidence needed to raise happy, healthy children.

What are the Goals of Parent Coaching?

Parent coaches may take different approaches depending on the individual needs of the families they work with. Here are a few common objectives this coaching niche tends to focus on.

Managing Behavioral Issues

General behavioral issues in children are the most common challenges for parents. A coach can provide strategies for parents to communicate better with their kids and teach them the importance of discipline.

Addressing Transitions

Significant life changes such as marriage, divorce, adoption, or the death of a family member can be challenging for kids. Coaches work with parents to manage these changes and help their kids adjust to them.

Improving Communication and Coping Skills

Effective communication and coping strategies are fundamental goals of parent coaching. Coaches work with parents to improve their communication skills with their children and within the family unit to foster a more harmonious home environment.

Supporting New Parents

New parents often face unique challenges as they adjust to their new roles. Parent coaching provides guidance on issues like parental leave planning, schedule management, and dealing with the overall stress of parenting.

Bridging Professional and Parental Responsibilities

Balancing professional and parental responsibilities can be overwhelming. Parent coaches help parents manage their energy, reduce anxiety, and prepare for re-entering the workforce after parental leave. They also provide support for self-advocacy and developing self-compassion as working parents.

Addressing Acculturation Stress

For families adapting to a new culture because of relocation, parent coaching offers strategies to navigate these challenges, promoting a better understanding and integration of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Supporting Developmental Needs

Parent coaching addresses learning difficulties such as ADHD and dyslexia, as well as other neurodivergent traits like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It provides parents with strategies and tools to support their child’s educational and developmental needs so they can perform better in academic and social settings.

Facilitating Difficult Conversations

Coaches can assist parents in having sensitive and important conversations with their children about topics like adoption, sex education, and inequality. They can also support parents of LGBTQIA+ kids so they can make them feel understood, accepted, and supported.

What is the Difference Between a Therapist and a Parent Coach?

Therapists are licensed professionals with specialized training to treat mental illnesses. Their work focuses on helping clients understand and resolve emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues rooted in past experiences.

Therapy may involve long-term treatments and, when necessary, prescription medication. Therapists are equipped to diagnose mental health conditions in both children and adults and work with them individually or jointly to overcome emotional challenges.

The role of parent coaches, however, is to provide parents with practical tools and strategies. They are more action and goal-oriented, focusing on the present and future.

Unlike therapists, they can’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, they work with parents to build new skills and proactively handle everyday issues.

When to Refer a Client to a Therapist

As a parent coach, it’s important to recognize when a client may need the specialized support of a therapist. Refer clients to a therapist if they or their children are:

• Living with a suspected or diagnosed mental health condition
• Requiring specialized treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medication
• Suspected to be dealing with suicidal ideation, eating disorders, or substance abuse

Understanding these boundaries ensures that clients receive the appropriate care for serious mental health issues.

When to Step in as a Parent Coach

Your expertise as a parent coach will be invaluable when clients are:

• Seeking help for specific interpersonal challenges
• Looking to develop skills like resilience, patience, and effective communication
• Asking for advice on managing caregiver fatigue or stress
• In need of parenting strategies and skills to support the whole family

Your goal-oriented, practical approach can provide immediate, tangible benefits and support parents in navigating everyday parenting challenges.A dual approach can be particularly effective for parents and their children. Coaching and therapy can offer a comprehensive support system that addresses deep-seated emotional challenges and day-to-day parenting needs.er a comprehensive support system that addresses deep-seated emotional challenges and day-to-day parenting needs.

Finding the Right Parent Coach

Finding the right parent coach can be a daunting task, but taking the following steps can help ensure you find a qualified and experienced professional:

• Research Potential Coaches Online: Look for reviews and testimonials from other parents to gauge the coach’s effectiveness and approach.
• Ask for Referrals: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or your pediatrician who may know reputable parent coaches.
• Check Certifications: Ensure the coach has certification from a reputable organization, such as the Parent Coaching Institute (PCI), which indicates they have undergone rigorous training.
• Look for Specializations: Find coaches who specialize in areas relevant to your needs, such as child development or mental health.
• Schedule a Consultation: Arrange a consultation or initial coaching session to get a sense of the coach’s style and approach, ensuring it aligns with your expectations and comfort level.

By following these steps, you can find a parent coach who is well-suited to support you and your family.

Investing in Parent Coaching

Investing in parent coaching can be a valuable decision for your family’s well-being. Here are some benefits of parent coaching:

• Improved Parenting Skills and Confidence: Gain practical strategies and tools to handle parenting challenges effectively.
• Enhanced Parent-Child Relationships: Foster stronger, more positive connections with your children.
• Increased Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness: Develop a deeper understanding of your emotions and how they impact your parenting.
• Practical Strategies for Managing Common Parenting Challenges: Receive tailored advice to address specific issues you face.
• Support and Guidance from a Trained Professional: Benefit from the expertise and experience of a certified parent coach.
• Opportunities for Personal Growth and Development: Enhance your overall well-being and personal growth through coaching.

Parent coaching offers a supportive and empowering approach to navigating the complexities of parenting, making it a worthwhile investment for any family.

Career Opportunities for Parent Coaches

If you’re interested in becoming a parent coach, there are several career opportunities available:

• Private Practice: Start your own parent coaching business and work with clients one-on-one or in groups, offering personalized support.
• Organizations: Work for organizations that offer parent coaching services, such as schools, hospitals, or community centers, providing support to a broader audience.
• Online Coaching: Offer parent coaching services online, allowing you to work with clients remotely and reach a wider audience.
• Certification Programs: Develop and lead certification programs for aspiring parent coaches, sharing your expertise and training the next generation of coaches.
• Writing and Speaking: Write articles, books, or speak at conferences on topics related to parent coaching, establishing yourself as an expert in the field.

These career paths offer diverse opportunities to make a meaningful impact on families and support parents in their journey to becoming confident and effective caregivers.

Want to explore other coaching niches? Check out more of our resources:

• Health and Wellness Coach – If you’re passionate about holistic wellbeing, you could help parents prioritize self-care amid family chaos through sustainable nutrition and exercise habits. 
• Relationship Coach – If you excel at communication and conflict resolution, you could guide couples through the unique strains that parenting places on partnerships. 
• Mindset Coach – If you believe in the power of perspective, you could help parents overcome the limiting beliefs and perfectionism that often plague parenthood. 
• Accountability Coach – If you’re naturally organized and motivational, you could provide the structure parents need to balance childcare with personal and professional goals. 

If you’re dead set on exploring parent coaching, the next step is to consider getting certifications.

The Best Parent Coaching Certifications

If you’re ready to start a career in parent coaching, the first step is to get trained. Look for programs that provide comprehensive training about concepts like the parent coaching model or attachment psychology.

Here are some certifications for parent coaching you can consider.

Parent Coach Certification Training by PCI

The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) offers a comprehensive program that combines the latest research in parenting, coaching, and child development. It’s a one-year, comprehensive course you can complete in 5-7 hours weekly. Tuition is $5,800 upfront or four payments of $1,450.

The curriculum includes extensive training in coaching skills, parent-child relationship dynamics, and practical application through supervised coaching sessions.

Certified Parenting Coach Program by the Jai Institute

The Jai Institute offers parent coaching certification that emphasizes conscious parenting and emotional intelligence. It’s a 7-month online program that costs $4,750, with a $1,000 discount for upfront payment.

The curriculum covers three phases:

• Personal growth for parents
• Coaching skills
• Business launch strategies

Courses include attachment psychology, communication coaching, neuroscience, and long-term business growth.

Facilitator Training by Circle of Security International

The Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) Facilitator Training is an excellent option for coaches who want to support caregivers in building secure parent-child attachments. Using the Circle of Security model, you’ll learn how to help parents understand and respond to their children’s emotional needs.

This training combines practical skills and theoretical knowledge and focuses on the following:

• Attachment theory fundamentals
• Creating safe learning environments
• Relationship enhancement strategies
• Promoting caregiver self-reflection

It’s offered in multiple formats, including in-person and online options. All cost $1,000 and can be completed in up to two weeks.

How to Start a Parent Coaching Business 

Once you’ve acquired the necessary training, it’s time to set up your business as a parent coach. Here’s how you can get started.

1. Define Your Approach

Determine the demographic you want to serve, whether it’s new parents, parents of teenagers, or families with specific special needs. Understanding the unique dynamics of each family life is crucial in tailoring your coaching approach to meet their specific needs. Clarify your coaching approach, including the methodologies and techniques you’ll use to support your clients in achieving their goals.

This might involve integrating psychological theories with practical tools such as goal-setting exercises and communication skills training. Tailor your approach to your target client’s needs and consider how much you want to personalize your coaching process with each client.

2. Set up a Business

Choose a business structure like sole proprietorship or LLC, and register your business. Next, hire an accountant or set up a system for bookkeeping and taxes.

Additionally, explore options for professional liability insurance to protect your business and yourself in case of legal claims or disputes.

To ensure the admin side of your business runs smoothly, you can sign up for an all-in-one client management software like Paperbell, which handles your website, bookings, payments, and contracts.

Organizing your coaching practice allows you to focus on delivering high-quality parent coaching services to your clients without worrying about the logistical aspects of running a business.

3. Create Coaching Packages

Next, design your coaching packages and set your pricing. Determine how often and how long your coaching sessions will be and any additional services or resources you’ll provide your clients. These can include accountability between sessions or training videos.

Consider offering package deals or subscription services for ongoing support. When setting your pricing, consider your level of expertise, similar services on the market, and the overall value you provide to your clients.

[ Read: 7 Inspiring Coaching Business Models (and 7 Real-Life Examples) ]

If you want to simplify setting up custom packages for your business, Paperbell can automatically create landing pages for your offers. It also keeps all your client information organized in one place.

4. Market Your Parent Coaching Services

Building a strong brand and marketing your services to get clients is essential. Develop a brand identity that reflects your coaching philosophy and resonates with your target audience.

Use online and offline marketing channels like social media, networking events, workshops, and collaborations with related professionals to promote your services. Consistently communicate the benefits of your coaching services and expertise to attract new clients.

Launch Your Parent Coaching Journey

Running a parent coaching business requires balancing client support with administrative tasks. To keep operations smooth, consider using an all-in-one client management tool like Paperbell to handle the behind-the-scenes work.

Paperbell automates your day-to-day processes—from payments and bookings to your website and scheduling. This all-in-one client management platform creates landing pages for your coaching packages while keeping all client information organized in one place. You can try it free with your first client.

By establishing efficient systems and continuously developing your coaching expertise, you’ll build a successful practice that makes a meaningful difference in families’ lives while creating a fulfilling career for yourself.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2021 and has since been updated for accuracy.