FAQ for Parents
You are to be commended!
First, I want to take a moment to recognize and honor the incredible commitment you’ve shown in raising your teen to this point in their life. Your guidance, love, and tireless efforts have laid the foundation for who they are today. Parenting a teenager is no small feat—it’s a journey full of challenges, growth, and immeasurable rewards. Your investment in their future, both seen and unseen, is deeply admirable, and I want to acknowledge the hard work you’ve poured into supporting them.
Your teen is an upperclassman; a rising senior, or soon to be graduating from high school. I don't need to tell you that this is a critical time filled with life-changing decisions that will impact their future. As your teen navigates this pivotal stage of life, they’re not just growing—they’re transforming. It’s a time of exciting opportunities and sometimes overwhelming challenges. Amid the pressure to succeed, explore their identity, and find their footing in the world, teens often benefit from having a neutral, supportive guide to help them process and navigate these changes.
This is where a coach can be an invaluable partner—not just for your teen but for your whole family. A coach provides your teen with a safe, judgment-free space to explore their goals, develop resilience, and take ownership of their growth. For parents, having a coach as part of the team can offer clarity, insights, and strategies to support your teen while easing some of the pressure you may feel as their primary guide.
By working with a coach, your teen gains tools to handle challenges more confidently, discover their passions, and build a stronger sense of self. For you, this partnership can mean less stress, a clearer understanding of how to encourage their independence, and, importantly, the reassurance that you’re not navigating this alone.
Your dedication to your teen’s success has brought them this far, and considering a coach is another way to invest in their growth and well-being.You want to make sure that your teen is in good hands. I'm committed to being worthy of your trust. Together, we can help them thrive while offering you the support and peace of mind you deserve.
With that in mind, here are some important considerations to know and to think about:
Important Considerations
Coaching isn't therapy, tutoring, or mentoring.
The purpose of coaching is to help your teen to clarify and achieve their goals, not about fixing problems or being told what to do.
Confidentiality & Parent Involvement
At the conclusion of each session, teens will be encouraged to share their learning and takeaways with their parent or legal guardian. The coach encourages parents to check in with the teen periodically to stay abreast of the teen's progress.
Conversations between the teen and the coach will be held in confidence, which means that I won't be sharing anything of substance with you as the parent. I WILL share any concerns about the teen's wellbeing (when the teen has needs that are beyond the scope of coaching, such as a need for therapy, or is displaying behavior that indicates a danger of harming themselves or others.)
I will encourage your teen to share their big take-aways from their coaching with their parent, and encourage you as the parent to create a space where you can talk honestly and openly about their learning.
Child Safety
I possess a current State Police (Child Abuse) Clearance and FBI Clearance on file. They are available to parents upon request. In my role as coach, I am a mandated reporter under the requirements of The PA Child Protective Services Law
How Can I Help My Teen Get the Most Out of Their Coaching Experience?
By embodying the following values, you can create a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose. This not only makes conversations more productive but also strengthens your relationship in the long term.
Remain Open-Minded
- Why it’s important: Teens are in a phase of self-discovery and may have ideas or aspirations that differ from their parents’ expectations. Being open-minded allows for honest exploration.
- How to apply it: Approach conversations with curiosity rather than judgment. Avoid immediately dismissing or challenging the teen’s ideas.
Practice Empathy
- Why it’s important: Understanding your teen’s feelings and perspective creates a safe space for dialogue.
- How to apply it: Actively listen without interruption, acknowledge their emotions, and validate their experiences—even if you don’t fully agree.
Respect their Autonomy
- Why it’s important: Teens need to feel ownership of their decisions to develop confidence and independence.
- How to apply it: Encourage your teen to take the lead in discussions about their future, offering guidance rather than directives.
Talk About Your Shared Goals
- Why it’s important: Aligning on mutual goals helps avoid unnecessary conflict and keeps the focus on the teen’s best interests.
- How to apply it: Discuss and agree on shared goals like happiness, personal growth, and long-term success, rather than focusing solely on metrics like grades or specific career paths.
Exercise Patience
- Why it’s important: Teens often need time to process their thoughts and feelings. Pressuring them for immediate answers can lead to resistance or resentment.
- How to apply it: Allow space for your teen to reflect and revisit the conversation as needed.
Be Humble
- Why it’s important: Parents don’t have all the answers, and acknowledging this can help teens feel more empowered.
- How to apply it: Be willing to say, “I don’t know,” and explore options together. This models collaborative problem-solving.
Encourage Growth and Expect Mistakes
- Why it’s important: Teens are still learning and will make mistakes. Encouraging growth over perfection fosters resilience.
- How to apply it: Praise effort, learning, and self-discovery rather than focusing solely on outcomes.
Be Honest and Transparent
- Why it’s important: Teens can sense insincerity, and a lack of transparency can lead to mistrust.
- How to apply it: Share your own concerns and hopes authentically, while framing them as part of a collaborative effort to support your teen.
Practice Flexibility
- Why it’s important: Life plans can change, and being adaptable helps teens feel supported through transitions or setbacks.
- How to apply it: Emphasize that decisions aren’t set in stone and can evolve as new opportunities or challenges arise.
Work as a Team
- Why it’s important: Decision-making should feel like a team effort rather than a one-sided directive.
- How to apply it: Use inclusive language like “we” and “let’s explore this together.” Create opportunities for shared research or discussions about options.
