| Well, the simple answer is
break the rule of do what comes naturally and seek help from
someone or someplace you can trust. It seems ironic that with
all the emphasis on educating our young people that there is so
little early training in parenting. Our high schools and
colleges have no requirements nor offer but the most basic
information about the most important job anyone of us will ever
have to do in life. No one teaches us to be parents!
So is now the time to seek professional advice? It's time to
consider whether you could benefit from some parenting
information. After all why do we all have to reinvent the
"parenting wheel" each generation?
But you hate school. It has been so long since you attended a
class you just don't know if you can do it. What if everyone
thinks your questions or opinions are ridiculous? Well, you
should know that parenting classes are not like high school. You
are treated like an adult and the trainers know you are there
because you want to do a better job as a parent and they want to
help you.
Today, in almost every community there are classes being
offered on any given night or weekend. Classes offered by folks
who have been there and now can share their expertise with you.
You can find these programs through your local hospital,
community recreation programs, community college or family
counseling agencies.
Parenting classes are also age or problem specific. If you
have an infant and want to learn the basics of infant
development and care, look for a newborn group. If you have a
toddler going through the terrible twos and you are ready to
pull your hair out, there are classes to help you with winning
the power struggles, toilet training and bottle weaning. Look
for a "kinder-gym" program. It is a great combination of parent
support group and young child socialization. While your young
one plays with other children her own age, you can watch with
other parents and a trainer sharing ideas and perspectives.
Parenting classes are not limited to young children. Most
training centers also offer help for parents of older kids too.
For the school age child, you can learn parenting skills that
will improve your consistency and improve your child's
self-esteem. And for that most difficult and anxious of
parenting phases, the dreaded teenage years Yes, there are even
classes on helping you to survive your teenager's transition
into adulthood.
Finally, if you are struggling at parenting children with
special needs, ADD, learning disabilities, physically challenged
or mental disorders for example, you can find specialized
training to assist you and provide specific information.
|
