Give the Gift of Connection
Invest in Your Family
Parent coaching will equip you with skills for success
When you’re discouraged and overwhelmed by parenting, it can be hard to imagine things getting better. BUT… parenting can get better! In fact, you can even enjoy your kids again.
Our parent coaches work with you, and your strengths, to help you walk in your calling as a parent. We’d be honored to partner with you on your parenting journey.
What informs the coaches at Connected Families
- The Bible. We are followers of Christ and that impacts all of our interactions – including with our coaching clients.
- The Connected Families Framework. Everything we do at Connected Families is built on this framework and the messages that we believe all kids long to hear:
- You are SAFE with me.
- You are LOVED no matter what.
- You are CALLED and CAPABLE.
- You are RESPONSIBLE for your actions.
- Attachment and trauma research. Many of the parents who reach out to us for parent coaching have children who have experienced trauma and have insecure attachment. The coaches at Connected Families are trauma-sensitive and informed.
- The latest in child development. We believe that God has given incredible gifts and insights to researchers in the field of child development. We prioritize staying abreast of the latest research in the field.
“Our family struggled just being with each other. We were always fighting about something or with someone. The questions my coach asked were thought-provoking. I now look for a new perspective when things aren’t working. Writing this has brought me to tears realizing how far I’ve come!”
Pat – Single Mom of Three
Ready to Get Started?
Congratulations, you are about to embark on a great journey!
Fill out our coaching interest form, and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Our coaches are parents, too!
Just like you, we’re also parents and know how hard the parenting journey can be. From our experience, combined with research and education, we’ve helped hundreds of parents find peace and connection with their kids.
Your family is unique, with its own unique ups and downs. Connected Families understands coaching is not one-size-fits-all, and will customize your four-session package to suit the specific needs of your family. During your sessions, a parent coach will walk alongside you and help turn frustration, anger, and despair into patterns of calmness, wisdom, and joy. You’ll learn practical tools that can be implemented immediately to address the daily challenges in your family life.
As helpful as the articles and podcasts/videos are, the Parent Coach truly puts in the effort and helps you understand the lessons and apply them to your real-life situation.
Semra — mom of one
Meet our parent coaches
Lynne Jackson
Co-Founder & Occupational Therapist
As an occupational therapist, Lynne has helped countless parents as they raise sensitive and intense children. She loves working with families as they grow closer to God and each other.
Chad Hayenga
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Life Coach
Chad is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified life coach. Chad specializes in working with parents who have kids between the ages of 8 and 18.
Sara Paine
Connected Families Certified Parent Coach
Sara has worked with kids of varying backgrounds for over 15 years. She is a credentialed teacher and a certified wellness coach. As a mom to kids through both birth and adoption, it is her pleasure to tackle the challenges faced by families with young, sensitive, and intense kids.
CF Certified Parent Coaches
We certify parent coaches around the world! If you are looking for a coach…
…we encourage you to look through our list of incredible certified parent coaches. Everyone listed on this page has undergone (and continues to receive) extensive training in our Coaching Certification Program.
I could physically feel a change after my first coaching session – I felt less burdened and anxious.
Andrea – Mom of Two
Interested in becoming a parent coach?
After decades of parent coaching experience, we are thrilled to come alongside professionals who want to become certified parent coaches. We begin several cohorts a year. You will be trained, supported, and encouraged as you launch your parent coaching practice using the Connected Families Framework and Parenting Coaching Workbook.
Questions you might have:
What are the qualifications and training of Connected Families coaches?
Connected Families employees who work with parents are Certified Life Coaches. Each coach has additional expertise to help clients, i.e. experience with at-risk teens, marriage and family therapy degree, occupational therapy background, expertise in adoption and attachment, training in solution-focused practice, etc. Through our years of varied experiences, we’ve developed comprehensive resources that will enhance your coaching sessions.
Most importantly, we’ve each struggled in our own parenting and bring grace, understanding and encouragement into our coaching.
Who is coaching for?
- Parents who want to get on the “same page” with each other, and are in need of a plan.
- Parents who are starting to see troubling behaviors in their kids and don’t know what to do.
- Parents who are discouraged by the endless cycle of misbehavior-punish-misbehavior-punish, and can feel a growing wall of resentment.
- Parents who see their child developing a negative self-identity in response to struggling with misbehavior.
Why parent coaching? And why now?
It is tough to undo negative patterns in families, so it’s important to consider: Where might our challenges take us in the next few years without help? What complexities might develop as our children grow older? What do I want my relationship with my struggling child to look like in a few years?
No matter how difficult things have gotten, when parents take strong steps to learn new insights and strategies, it communicates powerful messages to kids:
- Grace is real; it’s never too late to learn and grow in an area.
- It’s ok not to have all the answers and to ask for help.
- You’re worth the effort to explore and change lifelong habits!
What format and focus will the sessions have?
Sessions are usually 60 minutes. Our extensive professional experience enables us to mentor you with fresh perspectives and ideas. Parents will work with their coach to create a plan of helpful action points that address parents’ concerns.
Are you faith-based?
While we are a Christian organization, we can flexibly accommodate families from any and all backgrounds.
Who is included – will I bring my children?
Either one or both parents (or another caregiver) meet together with their coach for each session. This can best be accomplished without children present so parents can share concerns freely.
Where does the coaching take place?
We virtually coach parents from around the world. Twin Cities-based clients are welcome to come to our office (10800 Old County Road 15 – Suite 100 – Plymouth, MN 55441) or meet at a centrally located coffee shop, park, or church foyer.
How soon can I expect changes, and how long will the coaching last?
Healthy change in relationships depends on many variables and is subject to the invested involvement of parents. It takes time for parents and children to build new skills and habits. But if a parent puts in the work, change will happen from the start, awkward as it may be for both parent and child. We strongly suggest five sessions of coaching at intervals of 2-3 weeks. To completely achieve their goals, some parents choose to continue on an as-needed basis after these initial sessions.
What are the fees and how does payment work?
All coaching options can be purchased through our website (links below). Reduced rates are available based upon need.
What additional resources do you provide?
All coaching clients receive access to the Connected Families private coaching page, which includes bonus videos, articles, and valuable additional resources to help understand kids and guide them wisely.
You will receive a copy of our book, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart, on which much of the parent coaching is based.
We also provide access to our coaching workbook, which is yours to use throughout your coaching experience as an in-session guide. It is also helpful to refer back to when your coaching sessions are complete
How long will I have to complete my sessions?
You will have up to six months to finish your five-session package. Coaching sessions build on each other, and there is momentum that takes place when parents begin doing things differently. We want you to be as successful as possible, and that means meeting regularly. There are no refunds for sessions that aren’t completed. In lieu of a refund, a receipt for a tax-deductible donation can be issued upon request. Extensions may be given for extenuating circumstances.
How soon can I get started?
When coaching with Chad Hayenga, Lydia Rex, or Sara Paine you can schedule your first session within two weeks of payment.
Lynne Jackson is coaching on a limited basis. Her specialty is working with parents of young children (under 5) with extreme sensory sensitivities.
Ready to invest in your family?
Congratulations, you are about to embark on a great journey!
Fill out our coaching interest form, and we’ll get back to you shortly.