“Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow.”
— Chaucer
Gift yourself the time and space to go deeper to help identify and break old patterns, while creating new patterns for yourself, your children, and generations to come.
You may have heard, “Parenting is the hardest job you’ll ever love.” At Acorn Patterns, we believe this to be true and therefore fertile ground for coaching.
As a parent coach, we can help you by acting as a sounding board through all the trials, tribulations, and developmental stages your child goes through.
What’s more, we can also go deeper and help you break old patterns and create new ones, leaving you feeling more patient, grounded, and simply proud to be a better parent.
Parent Coaching
Observe what patterns arise in you from the following poems.
To My Grown-Up Child
My hands were busy through the day. I didn’t have much time to play the little games you asked me to. I didn’t have much time for you.
I’d wash your clothes; I’d sew and cook, But when you’d bring me your picture book and ask me to share your fun, I’d say, “Later, we’ll have time for fun.”
I’d tuck you in all safe at night and hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then I’d tiptoe softly to the door… I wish I’d stayed a minute more. For life is short, the years rush past… A little child grows up so fast. No longer is your child at your side, no more precious secrets to confide;
The picture books are put away. There are no longer games to play, No good night kiss, no prayers to hear… That all belongs to yesteryear.
My hands, once busy, now are still. The days are long and hard to fill. I wish I could go back and do the little things you asked me to.
— Author Unknown
At Acorn Patterns, we believe parent coaching is in many ways like executive coaching. By analyzing and truly understanding the situation, being committed to self-reflection, setting achievable goals, and working towards those goals, you will be more successful.
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked and, wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.
— Author Unknown
Through self-awareness, hard work, and dedication, you can become a better parent and leader. However, there's still more to the parenting/leadership story that meets the eye.
Children Learn What They Live
If children live with criticism, They learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, They learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, They learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, They learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance, They learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, They learn confidence.
If children live with praise, They learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, They learn justice.
If children live with security, They learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, They learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship, They learn to find love in the world.
— Dorothy Law Nolte
Despite all of our best intentions and efforts, why do we still often find it hard to be the parents, leaders, and individuals we’d like to be?
Why is it so hard to stay calm and not get triggered?
This is because there are other factors at play that we may not be aware of, including the impact that past experiences and family patterns have on each of us.
Research in child development, adult development, and adverse childhood experiences offer insights.
“History is NOT destiny. By making sense of your own story, you can be the kind of parent you want to be – regardless of how you were parented.”
— Daniel Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
The Power of Showing Up