When I talk about my children, people often comment on how close they are. Now teenagers, they share a bond that feels more like best friends than siblings. I love hearing this—not just because I’m proud of who they are, but because their friendship didn’t happen by chance. It was something my husband and I intended long before we even became parents.
I was not particularly close to my own siblings growing up but we have friends who share deep, supportive relationships with theirs, and have always admired that. It became something we wanted for our own children. After our second child was born, we asked the parents of one of our close friends—whose was very close to his sister —if they had done anything to encourage that bond. Their answer was simple but powerful: “Yes, we made it our vision from the start.”
Since completing my coaching training, I’ve come to appreciate the power of vision even more. A clear vision isn’t just a vague hope—it influences every decision you make. It’s not about having a list of rules to follow, but about having a guiding purpose that shapes your choices. Looking back, I can see how our vision subtly directed many of the parenting decisions we made.
In coaching, we begin every session by identifying the client’s aim or vision. A typical first question is, “What do you want to achieve in this session?” From there, we dig deeper: “What do we need to talk about to get there?” and “How will we know if we’ve been successful?” Keeping that vision in mind helps coach and client stay on track and move forward with purpose.
Parenting works the same way. When you’re clear on what you want for your family, it’s easier to make choices that support that goal. You start to see opportunities to bring that vision to life. And when things get tough, that guiding intention can help you stay grounded.
So—what’s your vision for your family? What do you want to create together? And what small steps could move you closer to it? Sometimes, having someone to talk it through with—a parent coach, for example—can help bring that vision into focus.
To discuss how Caladh Parent Coaching could support you, send me a message at caladhcoaching@gmail.com