parent & thrive
coaching for parents
About
Often, as parents, we live in survival mode rather than thrive. We can feel trapped in an ongoing cycle of worry for our child. Fearful of making the wrong decision in an environment where there are many experts telling us how to parent.
Here at parent & thrive - we get it.
Parenting is hard, and you want to give your child the best start to life and see your family flourish.
At parent & thrive, we are passionate about seeing families thrive. We believe that when parents have the confidence, capacity and connection in themselves and their parenting, the whole family thrives. Therefore, our focus is on building parents up so they can move from surviving to thriving.
The reality is that there is much we cannot control, including our children. But we can change ourselves.
Based on research and experience, we believe that taking the time to step back, notice, reflect, and then act as a parent can lead to transformational change for parents and their families.
For parents
At parent & thrive, we believe you, the parent, are the expert and understand that each family is unique. Therefore, we work in partnership with you to, help you discover what is important to you and your family. We aim to provide you with a warm and safe space where you are heard and not judged. A place where you can share, process and discuss. Where you discover your own answers through meaningful questions and reflection. As well as adding new tools to your toolkit that build your confidence, capacity and connection as a parent.
Together, we will work through your parenting goals and create practical action steps based on your family values, your child’s needs, and your own emotional patterns to achieve them. Then, together, we work at making the steps a reality in your home life.
If you want help to move from surviving to thriving as a parent
Book a free introduction call to find out how we can support you in this.
For therapists and health professionals.
Here at parent & thrive, we are able to work alongside you and support your families by providing personalised coaching for parents - a space solely for them, giving them time to pause, notice, reflect and grow. From there, take small steps to build their confidence, capacity, and connections to support themselves, their child, and the whole family through the challenging time.
Please email Kylie for further information about referrals.
Note: Parent coaching is not therapy, a behavioural therapy/program for children or a parenting educational program. However, it can sit alongside these services.
For preschools, schools, sports clubs, and community groups in Christchurch.
We provide workshops or one-off talks for parents, focusing on helping parents grow themselves, so they have the capacity, connection, and confidence to parent their children, no matter the situation.
Please, contact Kylie or book a free introduction call to find out more.
About me.
Kia ora, I'm Kylie, a wife and mum of four children who are in their late teens/early adulthood. I am passionate about helping families thrive, no matter their situation.
From personal experience, I get that parenting can be exhausting and lonely AND precious and joyful. I have also learnt that we are not as powerless as we might feel, especially in those times when life throws curveballs. In these last 18 years, I have had a few curveballs thrown at me: having to move to another country with three young children and being heavily pregnant, with no extended family or friends, and then facing the challenges of bringing up a young family through ongoing earthquakes (Christchurch earthquakes 2010-11). More recently, having to support a child affected by a mass shooting, and then nearly losing the same child to misdiagnosed diabetes ketoacidosis. The last six years have been a steep learning curve for the whole family and me, as we have had to navigate family life with having two teenagers with type one diabetes (diagnosed & hospitalised in the same week).
These personal experiences, and seeing other parents struggling to thrive, led me to return to study. It was through doing my Master's of Science (Child and Family psychology) and coaching training that I learnt there is hope - that, with the right knowledge, tools and support, you can grow yourself and thrive as a parent through the hard and the good. Today, I specialise in helping families thrive by helping parents grow in their connection, confidence and capacity as parents.
I would love to work with you in partnership. I believe that taking small steps now in how you think, feel, and behave can have substantial ripple effects on you, your children and your family as a whole.
If you have any questions please email me or book a free introduction call.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Qualifications
Masters of Science (Child and Family Psychology)
Certified Parent Coach with Jai Parenting Institute
Graduate Diploma in Science (Psychology)
Bachelor of Nursing
Training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Packages
Smallest Package
For parents who know what they want to change but need help to make it reality in everyday family life
Standard Package
Feeling lost or exhausted as a parent. Start taking the steps to regain balance and joy in parenting.
Deluxe package
For parents who want to transform their parenting by spending time growing themselves in range of areas of parenting
Thriving through Change
Facing an expected or unexpected change to the family life.
Take steps now to help the whole family thrive through the change.
Take steps now to help the whole family thrive through the change.
Testimonials
"Working with Kylie has been an incredibly valuable experience. She created a safe and supportive space, and listened carefully to our hopes, concerns, and challenges while asking questions that helped us think more deeply. As a result, we've gained more confidence and feel better equipped in our parenting. We're grateful for the wisdom Kylie brought to our journey. "
- Brook & Barnaby, mum & dad of two
"I felt comfortable with Kylie from the start, she listened well and asked great questions to get me thinking. She was thoughtful and understanding of my parenting experience and our family make up. After working with Kylie I felt more confident as a parent and able to respond better to my kids' behaviours and feelings as well as my own feelings. "
- Gemma, mum of one and foster mum of many
Free Introduction Call
Let's have a chat and discover if we're a fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is parent coaching?
Parent coaching is an interactive and transformative process in which the parent and coach work together to achieve the parent's identified goals. Through the process, the parent gains the tools and insights necessary to grow their capacity and confidence as a parent to build a deeper connection with themselves and children.
Parent coaching is not therapy, a behavioural therapy/program for children or a parenting educational program. It sits alongside these services.
Here at parent & thrive, our coaches have post-graduate training in family science and training in coaching.
Parent coaching is not therapy, a behavioural therapy/program for children or a parenting educational program. It sits alongside these services.
Here at parent & thrive, our coaches have post-graduate training in family science and training in coaching.
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
Therapy, as defined by the American Psychological Association, is a psychological service provided by a trained professional to address mental health issues.
In contrast, coaching is a collaborative process where the coach helps clients set goals and develop action plans for self-directed learning.
In contrast, coaching is a collaborative process where the coach helps clients set goals and develop action plans for self-directed learning.
Who is parent coaching for?
For any parent or primary caregiver who wants to grow in their confidence, capacity and connection as a parent.
The coaching process requires dedication to personal growth, openness to learn and try new strategies and a readiness to embrace the work it takes to evolve as a parent.
The age of your child is not a limiting factor in accessing this service. We are happy to meet with parents who are expecting their first child to parents of adults.
Where do we meet for the coaching sessions? Can I book a package if I do not live in New Zealand?
All coaching sessions are conducted via Google Meet, with video on. When you book your session, a Google Meet link will be sent to you, making it easy and convenient to connect from anywhere. So yes, you can book a coaching package if you do not live in NZ.
Why video? A key part of coaching is building trust, and non-verbal cues and eye contact are vital for creating a safe space where you, the parent, feel understood and valued.
Why video? A key part of coaching is building trust, and non-verbal cues and eye contact are vital for creating a safe space where you, the parent, feel understood and valued.
Are the coaching sessions just for me, or can my partner join in?
Yes, your partner is welcome to join. However, we ask that both of you commit to attending each session and completing the homework assignments if you decide to work together.
If your partner is unable or unwilling to commit, that's perfectly fine. The personal growth you achieve will still have a significant positive impact on your family dynamics.
If your partner is unable or unwilling to commit, that's perfectly fine. The personal growth you achieve will still have a significant positive impact on your family dynamics.
Can I see a parent coach if I am, or my child is, already seeing a Therapist or under a medical team?
It depends...
We ask that, if you or your child is currently seeing a therapist, you advise them of your plans to engage our services and seek their recommendation if this is the best step forward for you in your current situation.
If you or your child is under a medical team, we do encourage you to let them know that you have engaged our services to aid you in your role as a parent.
We are more than happy to communicate and work alongside your therapist or medical team to support you in your role as a parent.
We ask that, if you or your child is currently seeing a therapist, you advise them of your plans to engage our services and seek their recommendation if this is the best step forward for you in your current situation.
If you or your child is under a medical team, we do encourage you to let them know that you have engaged our services to aid you in your role as a parent.
We are more than happy to communicate and work alongside your therapist or medical team to support you in your role as a parent.
Is there extra work outside the session time?
Yes! For change to occur, a commitment to learning, reflecting, and taking action is essential.
Before each session, you will receive some questions to reflect on and sometimes a short educational reading or video related to that week's topic.
After each session, you'll receive a summary of what was covered, along with any action steps and additional resources to support you.
The amount of time you need to dedicate will vary based on your current capacity and where you are in your parenting journey. Generally, the more effort you invest, the greater your growth will be.
Before each session, you will receive some questions to reflect on and sometimes a short educational reading or video related to that week's topic.
After each session, you'll receive a summary of what was covered, along with any action steps and additional resources to support you.
The amount of time you need to dedicate will vary based on your current capacity and where you are in your parenting journey. Generally, the more effort you invest, the greater your growth will be.
How do you make a booking? How do you pay?
This website is run by Paperbell, an online coaching software tool. Therefore, it is set up to make it easy for you.
When you press "book now," you will be taken to the calendar, where you can make the booking that suits you. From there, you will be asked to sign a contract and to pay.
All payments are done through Stripe. Depending on the package you choose, you can pay in one instalment or in smaller amounts. Once completed, your booking will be confirmed.
Once paid, you will have access to the online portal, where you will make all future bookings (including rescheduling) and access worksheets and resources.
When you press "book now," you will be taken to the calendar, where you can make the booking that suits you. From there, you will be asked to sign a contract and to pay.
All payments are done through Stripe. Depending on the package you choose, you can pay in one instalment or in smaller amounts. Once completed, your booking will be confirmed.
Once paid, you will have access to the online portal, where you will make all future bookings (including rescheduling) and access worksheets and resources.
Let's Connect