Thoughts please...

[MaddieAM]

Hey,

I'm in the process of setting up a parenting consultancy business. Focusing on providing individual plans for each family as everyone parents in a different way.

Can anyone, who has used this kind of service, give me any feedback? How they found it, what worked, what didn't...

Or

If you have wanted to used a parenting consultant but then decided not to - what put you off?

Thanks loads,
Maddie x

I have vaguely thought about using a sleep consultant but then I realised the nursery nurse attached to the HVs offer the same service for free. I decided sleep training was not right for us in the end.

Thank you for your reply. That’s really useful.

Just to further clarify; the business is not just sleep training but behaviour, potty training advice and weaning - basically any developmental milestone that can be overwhelming or turn into a challenge. For ages newborn to tween.

Thanks.

As pp said the HV service offers all of that for nothing.

Thank you 😊

So make clear the difference in what I offer and the HV is defo a good idea on the website.

Although pp's have said that hv's offer these services for free, I really don't think that matters in the slightest. Majority of people I know with children including myself have had poor service from their health visitor either no response/reply between standard appointments, total brush-offs or less than helpful/conflicting advice. I think some people would definitely consider paying for these services if they felt they were going to be given better one on one focus, professional advice that's within current guidelines etc. Tbh I've never heard of a parenting consultancy business before though I've never went looking for one either so I can't help on the feedback part of your post op sorry.

Exactly. I will offer a much more supportive service. I understand that not every parent will need this but some do and I want to help them and have the skills, experience and training to do so.

There are a few people out there doing it but not too many. It’s going to need advertising and a strong online presence but I’m looking forward to the challenge. And I cannot wait to help out!

And thank you for your post 😁

Hi Maddie. When my eldest was young he had a wide range of behavioural difficulties and we received well meaning advice from HV, school, friends etc. etc. most of which was unhelpful and some of which was, I think, quite damaging as it later transpired that he has ASC and some other SpLD which required different strategies.
At the time life was extremely difficult and I would have loved advice from someone who could have identified his difficulties sooner rather than assume they were down to my inadequate parenting strategies. I would want to know if a parenting consultant had enough knowledge and training to identify the right strategy for the right child. Could I ask what your qualifications and background are that would make you able to cope with the range of needs and possibly undiagnosed Neuro differences that you might come across (not trying to be awkward - genuinely interested )

The first question I would ask is what are your qualifications and experiences.

Hey,

You're not being awkward at all. I would expect any parent looking into this kind of service to ask exactly those questions.

Firstly, Experience;

I have been a nanny for 10 years and have looked after children aged 6 months to 11 years old. One of these children has ADHD which I had to seriously push to get diagnosed, but I was adamant that there was something going on - as like you had, she did not respond to parenting strategies and it just didn't right sit with me. I'm not going to claim to be able to diagnose anyone (as I am not a doctor) but I knew that she needed to be seen by a medical professional. It turned out she also had numerous processing disorders too (which is common with ADHD). During my nannying career I have also looked after a child who, to be frank, was incredibly hard in regards to his behaviour but he did respond brilliantly to parenting strategies. I think what I'm trying to say is that I have the confidence and knowledge to be able to tell a parent that they need to have their child assessed and when they don't - IF the parents present me with all the information or opt for a home visit.

I have also worked up the ranks of a large nursery based in a children's centre, where my team and I had to support every single child in our room as an individual. We had many different children referred to us by social services so we could monitor their development and I had to send reports to social services.

Training
I have a:
BA in Early Childhood Studies
OCN (level 3) in Sleep Training in Babies, Children and Young People
Paediatric First Aid

I have attended workshops in;
Tongue Tie
Observing two-year-olds and planning to meet their individual needs
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Basic Sign and Symbols for use in Preschool settings

I'm always looking for courses to attend. I'm booked on to an autism and behavioural issues course at the moment.

Just referring back to your post Theshittyendofthestick if you had come to me and listed the techniques you had tried and the advice you had received - none of which worked, I would have advised you to return to your GP. I have no interest in stringing someone along for money nor do I want to give "help" which I am not qualified to give. I have been in this sector too long and know the damage that can be done. I sincerely hope that your eldest is doing much better now that you have strategies in place.

Thanks for reading my essay!!

Nice answer Maddie!
I think if you're upfront with parents at the start about the limitations of your work as well as the obvious strengths of your experiences that should save problems of parents feeling let down if their needs are greater than you can reasonably be expected to support them with.
Also good to see your commitment to on going professional development - always a good sign!
Best of luck

I think if you can bridge a gap between seeing a child in school and how a child is a teacher home would give a much clearer picture for those who need this service

As usually you get the 'all fine at X must be y fault'

And yes thank you eldest is doing well (still baffling at times, challenging at others and I'm under no illusion that life's going to be an easy ride for us - but being armed with good information is a wonderful thing!)