A unique approach
As well as considering the challenges families face, this report is also about a pioneering approach to family coaching. I believe we're the only organisation whose coaches actually go into the home and work with everyone as a group - and supplement that with one-to-one sessions where appropriate. You cannot believe how totally fulfilling this is.

The challenges parents face
Parents in the UK face a particularly difficult set of circumstances - they're blamed for the bad behaviour of their children and have their ability and confidence eroded by the impositions from the 'Nanny State'. They can suffer a lack of self-esteem and feel stigmatised - and are unlikely to ask government agencies for help.

Then there are the changes within our society - with more stress on parents to work, taking them away from the home and family. They're being bombarded with marketing-driven aspirations that create dissatisfaction and disillusionment. Sometimes, parents are unable to manage their own emotions - let alone deal with those of their children - and therefore, not surprisingly, feel failures.

The pressures children face
Children of today are different and require a different approach. They, too, face increasing pressures out in the world. There's 'target setting' within schools. It's also recognised that children today need the right side of their brain (e.g. creative) stimulated more as they get easily bored and disinterested in school. When I go into schools, all I hear is that pupils are more emotionally volatile than ever before which makes the teacher's job more challenging.

There are encouraging signs like the introduction of 'Social and emotional aspects of learning' in primaries and now secondaries. There's a Government initiative of Parenting Support but, again, this is going into an already overstretched system.

Children are increasingly influenced outside the home now - globally by the internet, media and their peers. They spend more time in a solitary environment, in their room, on a computer, in front of a DVD, listening to an mp3 player or 'just' texting friends. This removes the opportunity to practise social skills with their family members and in society.

Most parents are doing their best
Yet the huge majority of parents are doing the best they can with the skills they have. I believe that the fact that you're reading this now makes you a 'perfect parent' because you're open to new ideas for enhancing your family life.

Pioneering a new approach
At Develop Your Child (DYC), we can help you recognise your own wonderful potential and that of your children and support you as you create a relationship on a magical new level. Taking family coaching to the next stage, we're pioneering whole family coaching. A DYC coach can visit your home and work with your whole family together, as well as having one-to-one sessions where required.

Our unique approach, based on life coaching and related techniques, can support you in creating meaningful change for yourself and your family. We'll show you how, by connecting energetically (which may be a new concept to you - see our new DVD) and learning to trust your intuition, you can achieve a deeper level of personal empowerment and better family relationships.

The magic is already happening...
In the five years I've been doing this work, the innovative whole family coaching programme has been the most amazing and exciting development I've experienced. Working with a wide range of people, we have seen wonderful changes in whole family cultures and communications even by the second week. Parents and teenagers are creating respectful and fulfilling relationships and some are talking about creating their own sustainability half way through the programme. It's truly inspiring.

This programme is being developed through our charity arm, Every Family Matters. You'll find more details here.

Please do explore the site as there's a mountain of ideas and resources available for you. And if you'd like to find out more about coaching for the whole family, please e-mail me and see some early feedback here.

DYC: making a difference
I'm driven by my passion to wholistically develop millions of children globally. We're already on our way and now we need to get children seen in a different light by everyone who influences them. Perhaps we need parents to see themselves differently too.

I was invited to give evidence at the Houses of Parliament to the Social Justice Policy Group, Family Breakdown and Education working parties. We were subsequently acknowledged as a contributor to the Social Justice Policy Review, Breakthrough Britain. From the news it sounds like the Tory Party have been listening and giving more priority to the importance of the family, hopefully that will influence the Labour Party too.

I have also started a campaign 'Every Parent Matters' to help highlight these problems and get parents valued for the most important job in the world. I am a Family Tutor for Medway Adult Education and take our approach into the community.