We all need a little help now and then when it comes to
parenting. It used to be that parents would turn first to their
parents and friends for parenting tips and strategies.
While this is still true for many people, others choose to
attend a parenting class for help with their childrearing needs.
With the abundance of parenting information and curriculum
available for parents today, how does one choose a class that will
provide meaningful support, research-based information and
practical skills?
Harriet Heath, a developmental psychologist and director of the
Parent Center at Bryn Mawr College, provides the following insights
on evaluating a parenting program’s emotional support.
Programs differ in the kind and extent of support offered. Some
offer a warm, friendly atmosphere where friendships grow. Others
are formal as at a lecture where little interaction occurs between
parents.
Some programs view parents as all-knowing about their children.
Others see parents as competent and knowledgeable about their
children. Still others view parents as people to whom to give
directions.
Parent programs provide support by:
* valuing the parent.
* recognizing a parent’s strengths.
* emphasizing the importance of nurturing children.
* encouraging participants to share experiences and
concerns.
* providing opportunities for parents to build friendships and
exchange information.
Programs that include a series of sessions are apt to provide
more opportunity for making friends and sharing information than
programs that are single sessions.
Programs that include discussions allow for more sharing than
lecture types of programs. If you are looking for emotional support
in the programs available to you consider:
* The frequency of meetings.
* Whether the sessions are designed to include discussion and
sharing.
* How the instructors view class participants – receptacles for
them to dispense their knowledge or competent people who are able
to contribute to the class.
Next week I will consider how to evaluate the information and
skills provided by a parenting class or program.
Rich Batten is a father of four, a certified family life
educator and the family and consumer science agent for the Colorado
State University Cooperative Extension Office in Douglas
County.