Would You Attend a Parenting Class If It Was Offered in Your Area?

I would like one that was private and took place in my home and was tailored to me and my family. I think that parenting classes are too "One size fits all" and children are most definitely not one size.

However, yes I would be open to it.

As presented, probably not. First off, there are so many parenting philosophies out there, that just offering a "parenting class" means virtually nothing to me. Second, once kids arrive, where's the time? Is there free child care? This is not a black and white question. It would have to come highly recommended before I was willing to risk wasting my time on someone who may or may not share my world view or really have anything worth teaching me.

I attended one when we where going the my husband adopting my son. But that's the only one I have gone to. YOu asked if they should make them mandatory. How can you make a parenting class mandatory for parents unless it's for something like an adoption or divorce. I know some places make parents take a class if they are in a custidy battle.

Mandatory? Heck no, unless you prove to be an unfit parent

Would I attend one? Only if it came along with on-site babysitting, built into the price of the class.

I took one! Love and Logic. In fact I was so impressed I took it again a few years later. So my answer is yes if it sounded like it fit for me.

Mandatory? Maybe in the hospital before you are released with a new baby they should require you to take a couple of classes. Otherwise that is tough to do and sounds a little like Big Brother.

Just a shout out to the Mom that thought once your child is about 8 years old you would not need a parenting class anymore. LOL! It is my thought that you can never stop learning and get tips to help you in ALL WALKS OF LIFE. Parenting CHILDREN IN THE TEENS is way more challenging than parenting young children. It is NOT TOO LATE for sure to take a parenting class.

Kristen:

It depends upon how relevant the course/class would be to my children's age group right now...

Making sure I am effectively working with my children and giving them the appropriate freedoms - how to talk and listen better to teenagers (since you know I was NEVER a teenager and I just don't understand!!! :) )

Any way - if the classes were geared towards my age group and the issues I might have with my kids - yes. I would attend.

Do I think parenting classes should be mandatory? Good question. If they were mandatory - i would not expect to pay for them. I know there are a good many people who DO NEED them!! Especially for those young parents who are having troubles!

I have attended many parenting classes. PPP, Co-operating Families, Raising Resiliant Children, Positive Parenting for Healthy Living, Sign With Baby, Great Expectations, Nutrition For Life...Anyway, our local Parent/Child Coalition and school division, in co-operation with the provincial government offer these programs regularly free of charge. I wish more parents would take advantage of them. Many of them are very useful.

ETA: Free child care is offered with our classes, and many times a lunch or dinner and even a free parenting book are included. Even if you don't feel you need the information being presented it is a good place to meet other like minded parents.

YES!
When our daughter was in elementary school, the PTA had several parenting seminars, etc and I enjoyed them.

No one has perfect parenting skills and if you gather all the information you can, then when you have issues (everybody will at one point or another) you are prepared with what to do, etc.

My daughter just graduated high school so I have not been to these classes in quite a few years. However, the elementary school where she attended and I substitute continues to have the seminars and they usually have good attendance.

Good luck.

ETA: Mandatory? No.

AZ makes parenting classes mandatory for each parent when you divorce and have kids. So yes, I took one and learned some interesting things, although it was focused on divorce issues. I think some parents could benefit from a class or two for sure, but don't think you can make it "mandatory" across the board.

Depends on the price and the topic and the venue. I did a parenting study on my own with friends (we pitched in to buy the books and everybody brought dinner to share) and that was really good. I don't think they should be mandatory, but I think that even seasoned parents can be helped with new ideas.

I also attended the "your kid is 10 and going insane" meeting at the elementary school, where the guidance office prepped us for what was going on with our kids socially, emotionally, physically and psychologically. It was helpful.

I think parenting classes should be a required course in highschool with working in a daycare with infants part of the curriculum.

Parenting classes do not have to fit into one philosophy. There could be a section on nutrition offering info on vitamins and food and then watching a video like "Super size me". A section on sleeping offering info on the many different ways parents use to work with sleep and how imp. consistency is. A section on discipline with some teachings of behavioral psychology implemented and the different forms of discipline out there.

I would love to teach a parenting class, unfortunately my students don't have to take parenting.

To some of the PPers -

the government mandates driving lessons to drive. At least I had to take drivers ed in High School.

Many young parents don't have any common sense and may have been raised in an abusive home. Classes could show them that the way they were raised may not be the only way.

No probably not. I'm positive I'm doing nothing to scar my son, or make his life more difficult. I'm not perfect and I have flaws, but I think I'm doing fine. I'm not spending money on someone else to tell me how to parent MY son. They don't know what makes him or I tick. They don't know the morals, ethics, and values I think are important.

Mandatory? No. The people who NEED mandatory parenting classes, probably wouldn't be benefited by them anyway. They are the people who just shouldn't have kids. That would cost a lot of money our government doesn't have. If I thought it would work, I would want the government to do it. I just don't think it would.

**I would go to a child development/psychology glass given by qualified instructors. Not a general parenting class, though.

There are parenting classes offered in most every city.
Of varying prices and even those free type things offered at public libraries etc. Depends on the city and what is available or even via social support services etc. and community type organizations.
So it exists.
But the conundrum is: a person has to actively, want to sign up, and thus look for pertinent parenting classes in their city & research it, and want to, be in one. Even if that is free or paid type classes. The person themselves, has to want to, and/or be proactive about it. Regardless if it is free or not.
And even if a parent(s) needs parenting help, they themselves may not know it.

And no, it should not be mandatory.

If I hadn't already attended a slew of child development classes, read a ton, and sat in on problem-solving groups, I would consider it.

If I was a new parent without a background in early childhood ed, yes. I did attend a new mom's group which was led by a facilitator and found lots of good little bits of advice/ideas. I also took a seminar on raising boys recently.

It's hard, but I do think that it would be good for first-time parents to have a couple basic classes, such as nutrition, health/care of infant/toddler/young children, and discussion of what to reasonably expect during which stages of development. It's rather frustrating to read some posts where someone is expecting to potty train a 14 month old or have a three year old clean their room independently. I always think "someone needs to educate themselves!" I also think that there should be some discussion of mental health coping strategies for burnt-out parents as well as resources, because many parents do have seasons where we struggle. I know I have. I'm very fortunate to have had mentors to help me in my hardest moments, but not everyone has those resources.

I actually did attend a parenting class about 2 years ago given through a local church. I came away feeling like I learned a couple of things which was really great.

I'm not sure about mandatory. I think the government would be going waaayyyyy too far to start mandating parenting classes!

No. Why. I raised four children who are confident, successful adults without a class. Common sense works better when raising kids. Books on how to raise a kid, I don't think so. Teenage parents yes. They could benefit but your average family can do just fine.

Yes, but child care included would be a necessity.

It would be nice if they were offered when you found out you were pregnant. Basic knowledge - like what to expect when your expecting, growth milestones, etc., would be great and and it would be nice if THAT info were mandatory because SO many people don't seem to know the basics.

But there's no way our society would go for mandatory.

I attended a moms group at a church when my kids were little. I loved it! As they got older we had less and less time for those sort of groups.

I took the getting ready to give birth classes, but being a teacher, I felt I had sufficient knowledge of psychology, teaching kids to read, and experience with older kids. If I had not had all of that training, I would have sought it as a parent. I think everyone would benefit from them.

Nope.
I don't need them. My kids are fine and I am pretty confident in how I parent.
They could be free and I still wouldn't go.
Why would they be mandatory? No way. That's a horrible idea.

L.

sure there is always more you can learn about each stage.

It really depends upon the scope and philosophy of the curriculum. If it's some touchy-feely, PC, helecopter moms rule sort of class...NO. If it's a class for parents who are more Free-Range Kids/Love and Logic....and it wasn't for parents of pre-schoolers/toddlers....I'd consider it.

No, I don't think parenting classes should be mandatory. I do think that premarital counseling and a waiting period prior to marriage should be mandatory.

My husband and I attended first time parents/baby class through our hospital. We enjoyed the classes. It seemed surreal/funny doing some of the exercises, but when our little one came, I was glad we'd covered all the different things we would encounter.

I do think there are some parents who do need help with raising their children. We have been blessed with a child who listens but who also has Sensory Processing Disorder--so our parenting techniques have evolved to fit what is needed to parent our daughter. Every single child is an individual to begin with, so different parenting skills should be used on every child.

And no, I don't believe parenting classes should be mandatory.