“What Would Brock Do?”—How One Dad Found a ‘Cheat Code’ for Parenting Through Strongest Families Institute
When Dorien Tribe’s daughter, ten-year-old Willow, entered her pre-teen years, he knew there would be some growing pains. A co-parenting, two-home family with five siblings aged 11 to 21 and a three-year-old in the mix, life was already busy. But the behaviour changes proved tougher than expected.
“Willow’s behaviour was challenging,” Dorien recalls. “She wasn’t listening, she’d run off, and there was a lot of pre-teen attitude in the air. We were both adjusting to new routines and different rules between homes. I just didn’t know what to do anymore.”
A visit to his local child-and-family centre led to a referral to Strongest Families Institute’s Parents Empowerment Program—a free, evidence-based coaching service that helps parents build stronger relationships with their children through skills and strategies that fit everyday life.
At first, Dorien admits, he was skeptical. “The intake appointment was tough. I remember thinking, ‘Where do I go from here?’ Could phone calls really change anything?”
His mindset shifted once he connected with Brock, his SFI coach.
“Brock was amazing—professional, understanding, easy to talk to. Some weeks we laughed, some weeks we got serious. No matter what kind of week I had, I looked forward to those conversations.”
A few sessions in, Dorien started noticing change—not just in Willow, but in himself.
“Instead of using my voice or reacting, I learned to bring the emotion down and connect with her on a rational level. It even works with other adults! I catch myself asking, ‘What would Brock do?’ It’s like having a cheat code in my back pocket.”
The progress wasn’t linear. Willow still tested limits, and some routines “stuttered,” as Dorien puts it. But the difference was clear.
“She’s still a kid, but we’re getting there. The house feels calmer. I understand her better, and she understands me.”
Now Dorien recommends the program to everyone he knows.
“SFI works with you, not against you. It opened my eyes to new strategies and made us stronger as a family.”
This Giving Tuesday, Dorien hopes more families get the same opportunity.
“It’s a great program—not enough people know about it. If more families had access, it would save a lot of heartache and grief.”
Meet Coach Brock: Helping Families Find Calm and Connection
As a parent of two young children, Coach Brock knows that even the most loving families can hit rough patches. At Strongest Families Institute (SFI), he helps parents navigate those moments with humour, empathy, and evidence-based tools that build stronger relationships at home.
“My role as a coach is to support and encourage parents to use the skills they learn every day,” he explains. “Consistency is what helps families overcome challenges and see success.”
Brock was drawn to SFI after hearing from fellow parents who worked there. The chance to help families argue less and enjoy each other more felt like a perfect fit.
He remembers one family in particular—Dorien and his daughter, Willow—who came into the Parent Empowerment Program unsure of what to expect.
“I could hear the hesitation in Dorien’s voice at first,” Brock recalls. “But week by week, he went all in. We laughed, shared our love of the outdoors, and tackled tough moments together. Watching him grow calmer and more connected with Willow was incredible.”
For Brock, stories like Dorien’s are what make his work meaningful.
“This program really does change lives,” he says. “Families learn to communicate, deal with conflict, and truly enjoy their time together—and that’s something worth supporting.”
“Families learn to communicate, deal with conflict, and truly enjoy their time together — and that’s something worth supporting.”
— Coach Brock, Strongest Families Institute