Parenting classes

Gayle

Gayle

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A nursery school (that shall remain nameless) sent out flyers via all the children at my kids' school advertising Parenting Classes. A few days later a woman was in the school yard trying to encourage parents to go to these classes.

She came over to me - I asked her what it was all about. She said it was all about teaching us how to be better parents. At the time I was mid-cuddle with Maddie so I asked Maddie if I needed any lessons in parenting, she shook her head. I turned to the lady and told her that "no thanks" and "I found the whole thing very patronising".

Is it just me? And surely, if someone was a 'bad' parent they wouldn't be likely to go to a parenting class in the first place would they?
 
lol, thats ussi, she's actually very nice. she was doing the push at tys school the other day,she is a friend of a friend.

It is a parenting course, its supposed to help you control your childs behaviour and learn how to build a better relationship with them.
 
I got one of these flyers from our nursery too and i didn't find it patronising.
It just looked like a class where parents could get together with other parents and give tips, have a chat about what works and what doesn't and talk to outsiders about problems they may see a solution for.
She could have put it in a nicer way 'teaching us to be better parents' is not the best way of saying it but i don't think thats what its about anyway.
The leaflet says its to "bring out the best in your children,give you support,increase your confidence and share ideas".
I think our area needs something like this-i know those that are considered bad parents are not likely to attend but if even one family gets something from the 12 week course i think its worth it.......and its free which is even better :)
 
To my knowledge there are still no manuals on how to be the perfect parent, so how come people can be/feel qualified to give classes :confused:
 
they obviously have a qualification in managing childrens behaviour...... you can learn different strategies that may or may not work with your child..... if it doesnt work then at least you tried.
 
emamum23 said:
they obviously have a qualification in managing childrens behaviour...... you can learn different strategies that may or may not work with your child..... if it doesnt work then at least you tried.
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Strategies ?? This is parenting not the Iraqi war :)
 
lol, thats what they are called...some of its common sense like praise and encouragment some of them are a bit more in depth and target specific behaviours....
 
For a parent that is having a rough time or struggling with children, it can only be a good thing to know that sort of thing is available. Of course a parent has to be willing and it does become a grey area when teaching someone else how to be a parent, but it's good to hear that the grey areas haven't scared the organisers off. If only one parent is helped and hundreds offended then it's well worth it.

It's better than turning towards Channel 4 for 'Supernanny'. Urgh. Horrid woman.
 
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its also a chance for parents to build up a support network and make new friends.
 
lancsdave said:
To my knowledge there are still no manuals on how to be the perfect parent, so how come people can be/feel qualified to give classes :confused:
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They are not teaching people to be perfect parents, just more confident and aware.
 
lancsdave said:
To my knowledge there are still no manuals on how to be the perfect parent, so how come people can be/feel qualified to give classes :confused:
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I was going to say that too.
Every child is unique so it is hard to be a perfect parent.

This is where the extended family of years gone by came into its own.....aunties parents and grandparent used to compare notes, but even that wasn't perfect.
I think there are lots of pressures on parents today....the last one they really need is to be made to feel like they need lessons in bring up their children properly......I think if I had been confronted with an invite to something like that, I too would have felt affronted.
 
What about those who feel to afraid to ask for help?This is a perfect opportunity for them.
 
I can't understand being afraid to ask for help.......unless you are talking about practical help.
There are a whole load of places to get information from......I think that calling them Parenting Classes is a very negative way of dealing with something...if it were called a Parents Forum, or even Parents Club, then perhaps it would be seen in a better light.
 
"Teaching how to be good parents......." it's very patronising isn't it? Now if the lady said it was a support group for parents and families, which is more what it sounds like, she might get more takers. As Margaret P rightly said the extended family, with all the support and help it often gave, isn't as prevalent these days. On top of that the general lack of discipline in the environment (not necessarily in the child's home) makes it more difficult for many parents to cope as well as they might.

The principle of the "classes" is sound, they could probably be beneficial and, not least, a way of getting to know other families. The advertising, however, needs to be a bit more inviting.
 
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