Embracing physical, cognitive, and socioemotional growth of children begins by accurately informing parents and cultivating a supportive environment in which the child can learn and grow. Caregiver support, peer support, and community receptivity to the needs of children with hearing differences mean parents and caregivers have the knowledge and confidence necessary to advocate and educate. Virtually everywhere in the world, deafness and disability carry a stigma. This stigma also exists within the family, often causing feelings of denial, shame, guilt, and depression. Parents need to be equipped with the tools necessary for positive parenting and learn how to navigate their world.

To do this effectively, Partners for A Greater Voice (PGV) guides and inspires parents to feel good about themselves and their journey. It takes time to cultivate positive attitude, acceptance of hearing loss, and engagement of parents/caregivers to address barriers within the family and the community. PGV’s Essential Programs to Coach and Empower presents creative ways to gather all available personal resources to affect positive outcomes and wellbeing, and prepares parents and caregivers for their journey to raise their children.

Understanding how to collaborate with family and schools, learning to trust and filter through an enormous array of content, and cultivating parenting strategies can guide parents and caregivers but does not necessarily engage them. It is one thing to say, ‘here’s what you need to do to teach your child to listen with hearing aids’ and then another to say, ‘how do you feel you are best able to communicate with your child’, or ‘what strengths do you possess that can you use when interacting with your child?’. Coaching a parent is not about telling her what to do all the time. It is a process that moves at a rate in which the parent is ready to open her heart and mind. A sense of purpose and meaning creates a platform from which to grow.  Embracing and attuning to the individual needs of parents and caregivers deepens the opportunity to guide, encourage, motivate and empower.

written by Joanne Travers, Founder/Director of Parents for A Greater Voice, Inc.

Information from this article should be cited/referenced as: “Partners for A Greater Voice, Inc. Content derived from Essential Programs to Coach and Empower (2016). Ipswich, Massachusetts U.S.A. www.greatervoice.com”