Collaborative Parent Coaching and Educational Consultation
My Philosophy
On parenting
I believe that our children do not belong to us, rather parents and children are each others guides and teachers. Our role as parents is to embrace who our children are and help them to fully express that in this world.
Every child exhibits what some may view as strengths and weaknesses, though I could make an argument that they are neither. These qualities are all to be accepted and not used as evidence for our children’s “goodness” or “badness.” Our children are enough, just as themselves.
And of course, there are times we may feel that our children’s behaviors do not align with our expectations as parents. It is important that we understand the “why” behind these behaviors and assess (and perhaps shift!) our own expectations. We can then greet our child where they are with compassion, while still holding a loving, firm boundary based on a reasonable expectation. From there, we can invite our child into solving the problem with us, rather than simply enforcing a consequence. This way, they feel heard and become part of the solution.
On parenting and education
We, as parents, are the only consistent educators our children will have. Many teachers will move in and out of their lives, but we are their constant.
It’s easy to think that our children’s education is as good as the teacher our child has that year. But research shows that it’s our “curriculum of the home” — our relationships with our kids, our family routines, our approach to challenging behaviors, our attitudes toward education, and the expectations we set — that are correlated with our children’s academic and behavioral success in school.
It is critical that we as families develop our own curriculum of the home to nurture our children and set them up for success.
Let’s get real
Some days, my philosophy is just that: a philosophy. Because when my husband is traveling and the dog is sick and the kids are fighting and the dishes are multiplying by the second, it can be hard to operate from that core belief..
Parenting is really hard work. That’s why I lean on my own village for support. Let me be a part of your village.
Ready to get started?
Village Parenting
Theresa Wiggins, M.Ed.
Village Parenting promotes the happiness of the whole child by coaching parents on how to work with their child through behavior challenges and how to navigate his or her educational needs. Village Parenting also consults with K-12 schools, teaching mindfulness and providing professional development on family engagement. Serving Greater Boston and beyond..
