In married and family life, it is perfectly normal to experience ups and downs. Every family faces, sooner or later, problems of different kinds. Parents invest themselves wholeheartedly in their daily lives to balance family and professional life, sometimes at the expense of their mental and physical health.

It is not uncommon to find them breathless, discouraged, or even bitter from their numerous family tasks and responsibilities. Moreover, they put so much zeal and energy into it that they end up overworking themselves and lose their personal balance and fulfillment within the couple. Like any athlete undergoing intensive training over a long period, they need rest as well as help from a coach, an external resource, or a close person to get through phases of discouragement or burnout.

Initially, they were sincerely motivated to seek effective solutions, explore them, and implement them in their own way according to their family reality. When they have exhausted their toolbox and do not meet the expected results, they lose hope, become discouraged, and eventually give up. This is entirely human, understandable, and common.

In such circumstances, the couple is put to a severe test. Unfortunately, and without judgment, some couples conclude that separation is preferable. Parents find that they are no longer happy — whether individually, as a couple, or within the family dynamic.

When the decision to separate reaches a point of no return, parents and children find themselves plunged into a whole new family situation. It is a considerable and trying life change. It is common for parents to feel overwhelmed by this new reality and far from the family ideal they had initially. They may feel that they are experiencing a defeat or even a failure. At that moment, it is difficult to see oneself as a hero! That is why one should not hesitate to seek help — whether from their close circle or from outside.

To bring out the hero in parents, they simply need a strong push from behind to propel them into action and start implementing various means adapted according to their needs and expectations. Moreover, this push can very well be given by a family coach!

The family coaching service primarily aims for the happiness of all household members within a healthy and harmonious environment. It seeks to redirect, guide, and encourage parents and children toward achieving goals predetermined by the parents. It also helps to energize the strengths of each family member, like a sports coach. Finally, it brings the necessary adjustments for the smooth running of daily life and fosters teamwork — the team being the family!

At all times, the coach “preaches” by example by promoting positive affirmation — this being the “master key” to confidently and with leadership face all challenges to overcome, whatever their nature. The essential goal is to limit the negative consequences and their impact on the development and personal fulfillment of each family member.

Finally, the exceptional strength of at-home family coaching is that the service is provided directly in the living environment of the children and their parents. The coach ensures that parents, united or separated, support and respect each other, despite their differences. Generally, after four or five sessions, communication is greatly improved between the parents and between the parents and their children. Family organization is well established, routines and boundaries are clear for all, and the improvements made are noticeable.

Overall, many practical tips are suggested to parents following their questions and concerns. As mentioned earlier, it is the parents who define their needs and expectations. They are, moreover, the architects of their family life, assisted by a dynamic, attentive coach motivated to bring them a better quality of life. In the end, parents, assisted by their children, rejoice in their new life and embrace it with pleasure and inner peace.

Chantal Girodet, Family Coach
Clinique de santé familiale PRAXIS