It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, But Who is the Village Now?

 "It takes a village to raise a child." This ancient African proverb rings truer than ever today. The village, however, looks starkly different from when we were growing up. Today's parents find it more and more challenging to create a community that genuinely supports and encourages their children. Gone are the days when neighbors and community members played a vital role in shaping a child's future. While having great parents can be a blessing, having a supportive community is essential. Growing up, I was fortunate to have many supportive adults whose encouragement and dedication were pivotal and deeply needed. Church groups, recreational sports, clubs, and the volunteers who ran them were role models who put their time and energy into shaping myself and my peers. Today, the world looks much different, and the options are far fewer. Sports and clubs are run by professionals with high price tags, long commutes, and even higher expectations. Often these great opportunities and intentions leave teens with more stress and anxiety. Hiring a life coach for a teenager is intentionally adding a supportive village member to support both the struggling teen and the exhausted parents.

The lack of communal support has left most parents feeling overwhelmed and under-resourced. Parents are fearful and hesitant about exposing their children to outside experiences, they are worried that their child might get hurt or be led astray. They fear the unknown and the unconventional. This fear is why parents are hesitant to let their children experience the richness and diversity that life has to offer. This has left the primary responsibility of raising a child solely on the parents' shoulders, leading to burnout and exhaustion.

Having a life coach is one way to add a skilled village member to the circle of trust. A life coach is someone who can provide a child with the support, guidance, and encouragement they need to navigate a technology-driven and post-Covid world, both academically and emotionally. A coach is someone who will empower a child and help them explore their strengths and interests. In a world that is constantly changing, having a life coach provides a sense of stability that can positively influence a child's life.

A life coach can help build self-confidence, improve relationships, and empower teenagers to be more resilient. Often teens feel unheard, misunderstood, and disconnected from the world around them. Having a life coach can change that. A coach can help teens find their voice, work through their emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. This allows the teens to confront and manage life's challenges proactively and positively. Life coaching also helps teenagers learn positive communication skills and boundaries, which can benefit them throughout their lives.

One significant benefit of having a life coach is the space to explore their interests. Society places a lot of pressure on students to excel academically, but often this comes at a cost. Students often lose sight of the creative and expressive aspects of themselves. A life coach will provide guidance on how to explore their interests beyond academics. This is critical for their development and self-confidence. It builds a love for learning and personal development that is intrinsically motivated, rather than pressure-driven.

If you are a parent struggling to navigate raising a teenager in this day and age, know that you are not alone. It takes a village to raise a child, but who is the village now? It can be challenging to create a supportive community for your child, but it is worth it. The answer, for many families like yours, could be the hiring of a life coach. A life coach offers a supportive presence in your child's life and provides them with a host of benefits. Your child is a precious part of your life, and they need a strong network to help them thrive. A life coach can breathe new life into a struggling teen and make their ever-changing world more manageable.