43% of gym-goers have trainers—why don’t dads?

Usually, I share tips and strategies to tackle parenting challenges. Today, I want to offer something different—food for thought.

After reading, reply and let me know what this sparked for you.

The solo parenting trap, and how I fell into it

I used to think I could figure it all out on my own. After all, I’d made it this far in life by relying on myself, right? I didn’t join the mommy and me parenting groups or lean much on mom friends to discuss nap schedules. I thought, I’ve figured out my career, my health, my finances—parenting can’t be that different.

Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

When COVID hit, I found myself isolated, dealing with tough moments as a parent without a real support system. Sure, I had friends, but no one I could regularly call to ask, “Is it normal for my kid to [insert random scenario of the day].”

That’s when I realized something: parenting requires support, just like any other skill. We often assume that parenting is something we should instinctively know how to do. But guess what? Parenting is a learned skill. Just because it’s part of life doesn’t mean we’re automatically equipped with all the answers.

The overlooked aspect of parenting support

As a society, we’ve normalized the idea of hiring coaches for other aspects of our lives. We see health, financial, and career coaching as important investments—things that pay off in the long run. So why aren’t we thinking about parenting in the same way?

It’s not enough to just sign up for a gym membership. Many of us also hire a personal trainer to provide guidance and accountability. In fact, 43% of gym-goers with household incomes over $75,000 work with a personal trainer to ensure they’re on the right track. They aren’t just hoping it works out—they get help.

The same principle applies to your career. At some point, you’ve likely worked with a career coach when exploring new paths or an executive coach when stepping into leadership roles. These coaches help you refine your approach, make adjustments, and grow.

The truth is, most dads don’t have the guidance when it comes to the most important aspect of their life: parenting. According to a 2022 Pew survey, 85% of fathers with children under 18 view parenting as the most or one of the most important aspects of their identity.

So we should treat it as such. Just being a parent isn’t enough. You need someone who has been there, studied child development, and can help you navigate the complex journey. The way you parent today—the behaviors you model, the conversations you have—will affect your relationship with your child decades down the road.

Enter: The parent coach

Now, imagine what it would be like to have someone you could call when you’re feeling lost as a parent. A professional who understands child development, behavior, and how to navigate the tough moments:

• When your child ignores household rules, you’d get personalized advice on how to respond.

• When your daughter comes home distant, your coach would guide you on how to reconnect.

• When your son picks up a curse-word from school, you’d know exactly how to handle it.

Just as you’ve invested in systems for your health and career, wouldn’t it be powerful to have that same level of support for the most important role of your life—parenting?

Reply and let me know: If you had a parent coach, what’s the first challenge you’d want to tackle together?