Parenting Classes – Types, Advantages and Disadvantages

You would agree with one thing: parenting is one of the most complex jobs, and nowadays, looking for a little help is accepted. When life’s big decisions are concerned, we always configure the situation, do safety analysis and prepare for that. But why is it that when it comes to parenting, we simply follow our intuition and do not strategise or prepare? Following your intuition is not wrong, but as children grow, they require different things from their parents. Being prepared for what is to come is always a good thing. As you work through diverse approaches to set up your child for success, parenting classes deserve an acknowledgement.

What Are Parenting Classes?

Parenting classes are developed around how you can cope with your child’s development, different types of parenting and discipline styles, how to use effective communication with your child, and how to deal with constantly changing feelings within you and your child. These classes provide you with the right resources to help evolve and better your skills and educate you on different techniques to use at home when communicating with your child.

These classes cover a variety of topics to discuss and will give your parents valuable lessons and tips on how you can raise your children. Since there are different kinds of parenting classes depending on your situation. For example, in baby parenting classes, most of the subjects discussed revolve around basic baby care issues such as bathing, changing and breastfeeding your baby to emergency care and first aid.

Attending these parenting education classes often presents you with the opportunity to learn basic parenting skills, and how to use positive guidance with your child and also allows you to ask questions in a safe setting about raising your child. These classes are also a place to befriend parents who share similar parenting dilemmas.

Why Should Parents Take Parenting Classes?

These days, parenting classes like to incorporate research, philosophy and existing experience knowledge to bring about a more holistic approach to parenting. This has proved to bring about substantial results, and we believe that there are benefits of taking parenting classes such as:

1. Utilising the research for the best outcome

Parenting classes and workshops will help you stay updated on the different studies and research on different parenting methods, their outcomes, and how they could affect your relationship with your child. Scientific data on how your child is developing with the changing world can prove to be significant, especially when it comes to an understanding of your child’s psychology. Why not use it to better your parenting skills and avoid making errors?

2. Mastering the basics of parenting skills

If you’ve done your share of babysitting or handling a younger sibling, then basics such as changing diapers or feeding a baby are something you’ve mastered. But, if you lack experience in taking care of a baby or a toddler, it can be overwhelming to even think about an infant that will be dependent on you. Parenting classes will help you overcome all those fears and anxiety of dealing with a child and develop the skills that will help you take care of your infant. 

3. Understanding how to breastfeed

Breastfeeding isn’t an easy task, especially if you’ve never done it before. It’s considered to be the best bonding connection between the mother and child. It’s the best nutrition for your baby and a great way to lose the weight put on during pregnancy. You will get this and feel the confidence of handling your baby from a breastfeeding expert at a parenting class. New mommies, you don’t have to worry, be confused or get frustrated at the idea of breastfeeding anymore.

4. Prepped and ready for emergencies

Always be prepared for any emergency situations. As parents, the scariest thing can be if your child is choking or is having breathing issues. As a first-time mom, it is essential you know how to perform CPR on your baby or toddler. CPR classes for parents will help you deal with your child in a calm and composed manner if the situation ever occurs. 

5. Creating a new support system

If you’re a new and young parent, it is likely that your network of friends might not have children any insights on how to parent. It would be equally tricky for them to give you the support you would need as a new parent. Parenting classes will help you interact with parents just like you or even experienced parents to help you deal with any issues. This will build your confidence and help you relate to many situations and find solutions to them. 

6. Building your confidence

Planning and prepping always help when you’re venturing out to take on big roles or responsibilities. That can be applied to when you become parents as well. Parenting classes will help you get ready to welcome your little one and every step you need to take going forward. Making errors is part of the learning, but these classes will help minimize those and give a confident approach and a clear understanding of how to be a better parent for your child.

7. Choose the right parenting style for you

There are many well-researched and developed parenting styles promoted by psychologists and experts. The different style of parenting equips you to align a style that is perfect for you and your child. Depending on your beliefs and how you would like to raise your child, you can choose and work on the style best suited for you and your child. 

8. Teamwork with your partner

It’s important for you and your partner to agree on how you both would like to raise your child. Parenting classes not only let you explore different parenting styles and methods but also discuss important questions on parenting techniques and methods. Communication is key, and these classes will help you unlock the many mysteries of relationships. 

9. Classes on managing your emotions

As a new parent, many things are new to you, and they can be overwhelming and frustrating. Your child might not always understand you and may not cooperate with you on many things, and this could drain you emotionally. Don’t worry! Parenting classes teach you how to deal with such situations and help you get the hang of how to handle your child while keeping your stress levels down. This enables your child to grow up in a non-abusive and stress-free, happy environment. 

10. The art of discipline

The disciplined style you deem right for your child is a very personal choice. It has to align with what your beliefs and values are. Parenting classes will help you identify the methods you can implement in a positive manner so as to create and maintain a healthy relationship with your child. These choices will also instil a sense of confidence in your child rather than fear. 

11. Vaccination education

Your views on vaccination don’t have to be the same as every other parent’s. It is important that, as parents, you are well informed about vaccinations and their effects on your child. Some parents are all right with the standard vaccine schedules, and some avoid vaccines. Parenting classes can discuss the laws on the subject and even help you with the rules and requirements of the schools and childcare centres near you.

12. Communicating with your child

Communication is key to any relationship! Communicating with your child is essential as they grow up. Parenting classes will focus on a lot of different communication styles with your child that are best suited for different situations. It helps maintain a healthy, positive and happy relationship between parents and kids. It also helps keep the line of communication open between you and your child on all matters.

Types of Parenting Classes

The core of any parenting class is to establish a better relationship with your child through different methods. Irrespective of your family situation, or your child’s age, these classes guide you to be more confident and help raise your child to be more productive and to spread positivity in the community.

If you’re worried that you may not find a class most suited to you and your situation, don’t worry. Every class is designed to guide you on the right path and will address every concern you have about parenting and your child through each stage in life. Here’s a little insight into the different classes you can choose from.

1. Soon-to-Be-Parents Classes

As you’re about to become new parents, you will have many questions, doubts and concerns regarding your child and the parenting methods that you wish to implement, Right from childbirth classes, appropriate medical procedures, post-birth recovery methods, infant-care classes and safety classes. Should parents take parenting classes before having a child? Well, these classes will guide you through the nine months of pregnancy to when your baby is born and how to care for your child and for yourself. 

2. Beginners and Baby Care Classes

Parents looking for expert advice on how to change diapers, feed the baby, how to deal with emotions, or what methods to incorporate to support infant development can benefit from beginners and baby care classes. That’s right, newborn parenting classes for folks looking to address all of this, you will be provided with expert advice on everything. Right from how to care for your child to what you can do to implement early cognitive development for your child. 

3. Infant Development Classes

As your child grows, there are situations you as parents would love some insight on how to deal with. Tantrums, potty training, or even the development of social skills are some of the issues your child will face as they grow up. These classes will help you tackle behavioural changes and psychological and physical development. These classes are not just for how to deal with your child but also to help you condition yourself as your child grows up. These classes will help you deal with your child right up to the teenage years. These classes aren’t just for mommies; there are parenting classes for dads that guide you with how you can contribute to your child’s upbringing as well.

4. Specific Requirement Classes

Parents, when we say that there are classes for all of you, we mean each and every one of you. If your child requires special attention, we have experts who will guide you in such a case. Classes are specially designed for parents whose children are gifted or have developmental or medical challenges. There are classes, support, strategies, and resources provided to parents who wish to co-parent after a split, going through with adoption or even fostering children. These classes, such as co-parenting classes, help in enforcing a positive approach for the children whose parents are going through a divorce. Keeping your child’s needs as the primary concern is what these classes will help you deal with.

How to Find Good Parenting Classes?

There are numerous old and new parenting classes that are mushrooming across the country, and it may be difficult, given the choices are many. However, finding a good class is imperative as it can help in the long-term improvement of your child. Some of the things to look out for are:

• Go for a demo class to see if the classes are interactive. Are you being involved and engaged by the faculty, or are you made to listen to some boring lecture? Pick the class which prioritises engagement as the learning curve is faster.
• Make sure you ask for the credentials of the instructor or trainer before enrolling. Are they adequately qualified, or do they have enough experience? These are questions that need to be asked.
• The parenting issues that you face may not necessarily be covered by the classes that you opt for. Have a thorough look at the curriculum and proceed only if you feel that you and your child can significantly benefit from the class.

Disadvantages of Parenting Classes

There are always people telling you how you should raise your child, but as parents, you are always faced with the dilemma of what should be done. Turning to parent classes may not always be your answer.

Do these classes actually help out parents facing difficulties in raising their children? Is it a recommended course of action that parents should rely on? Let’s look at what can happen if parenting classes are not made compulsory.

1. There is no set method of raising children. Every family is different, and so are the situations in which the child grows up. Thus, one rule is not applicable across the board.
2. Parents are aware of what is good for their children and what is bad. Instinctively, every parent will always strive to do what to do their best and provide for their children.
3. Parents need to spend time with their children. Getting to know your children by talking and doing activities with them is always more wholesome than spending time in these classes.
4. It’s true that only you can understand your child. Experts will only know of the situations and analyse your child but will never truly grasp your child’s state.
5. Parenting classes have cultivated a herd mentality. To follow something that is turning you and your child’s relationship into a business model is not worth it.
6. Parents, if you ever need help with any situation, there are relatives, friends and even professional counsellors you can turn to. Reading a book on parenting is also helpful.

FAQs

1. What Are the Parenting Stages?

Galinsky (1981) outlined six distinct parental stages that align with various developmental phases of the child. These stages can be summarized as follows:

1. Image-making (Pregnancy): During this stage, parents prepare for the arrival of their baby. They also start forming mental pictures of how their lives will change and how they will handle the responsibilities and challenges of parenthood.
2. Nurturing (Birth to 18-24 Months): In this phase, parents build strong bonds with their child and learn to balance the baby’s needs with their work, relationships, social life, and household responsibilities.
3. Authoritative (2 – 5 Years): Parents in this stage strive to set boundaries and rules for their children. These rules often have a clear black-and-white quality to ensure the child’s safety.
4. Interpretive (5 Years – Adolescence): During this period, parents should teach their children empathy and sympathy, how to read different perspectives, interpret people’s behaviours, and respond appropriately. Children at this stage of life are navigating through self-learning, their likes and dislikes, and challenges like peer pressure, bullying, comparisons, and establishing roles within a group of friends. Parents at this stage play a crucial role in helping their children navigate these challenging social situations.
5. Interdependent (During Adolescence): Adolescence can be a challenging time for both parents and teenagers as they seek to strike a balance between the growing freedom and independence of the child and the continued guidance and authority of the parent. Disagreements are common, and external influences can add pressure.
6. Departure (Late Adolescence to Adulthood): The departure stage marks the child’s transition to full or nearly complete independence, although they may still need some assistance, such as financial support. This stage doesn’t necessarily coincide with the physical departure of the young adult from home. It’s a time when parents and children can redefine their roles and communicate on a more equal footing.

2. What is the Golden Rule of Parenting?

The Parenting Golden Rule is a timeless principle for parents striving to nurture their children. The rule follows – treat your child in the same way you would wish to be treated if you were in their shoes. This universal guideline offers a simple yet effective approach to parenting.

Parenting classes have its benefits, but being made compulsory is not fair. Parents can learn some constructive methods they can implement, but not every family needs them.

One of the main issues why parents turn to these classes is because they feel they don’t get enough quality time with their children to implement any parenting methods; well, the answer is right in front of you. Spend time talking with your child and engage in positive and healthy activities. Discuss issues with other parents or counsellors if you can’t seem to handle it, but it is important to communicate with your partner about what can be done.

Parenthood is definitely no game, and a child does not come with an instruction manual! It is a challenge, and you need to spend time on figuring it out.

Also Read:

Authoritative Parenting
Types of Parenting Styles
Bad Parenting Signs and its Impact on Children
Wrong Parenting Styles Never To Adopt With Your Child