Is parenting something that can be taught?

Parenting classes are becoming more and more prevelant these days

Parenting is probably the hardest thing you will ever do and it will test you beyond your realms of understanding but could parenting classes change all that? Parenting classes are becoming more common and there are many courses popping up all over the country but are they any good and will they make parents better parents? 
I think we can all agree that all parents need guidance and we can all accept that every relationship we have in our lives needs to be worked on. There are a range of skills a person needs to be a good parent so isn’t it fair to suggest that like anything a person can learn to be better even if it is parenting. A parent needs to be firm, caring, loving and nurturing but while all parents know this are we missing the point sometimes and overthinking everything? The world ran perfectly smoothly pre-parenting classes days and parents have usually had “on the job training” and for most it has completely worked. Effective child rearing begins with engaging your child, restraining them from harm (or as much as you can) and stimulating their brains before they grow into adults. 
Parenting classes work on…
  • Children’s challenging behaviours
  • Disciplinary techniques
  • Managing conflict within a family 
  • Improving communication
  • Family relationships and feelings 
  • Helping your child learn to be responsible
  • Enhancing your family home life happiness
  • Building your child’s self-esteem and confidence
Training and support are beneficial for parents who may feel overwhelmed or parents who are questioning their skills and having problems in their relationship with their child. Parenting class participation does not mean that the parent is struggling but rather that the parent is looking for methods to be the best parent that they can be and this is hardly a bad thing. Teenagers are notoriously difficult to raise and at a time when social media and the access to the world wide web is the norm parents are coping with situations that no parent ten years ago had to deal with. Young people have a massive obsession with technology and they have materialistic expectations and views. As a result of this parents are becoming frustrated with the lack of connection between them and their children as teenagers are using technology as their first point of contact. Parenting classes can help in this regard helping parents build their social connection with their children from a young age and instilling rules before things escalate. 
Parenting courses are if anything going to become more prevalent and I have no doubt in the future they will be mandatory for parents to be. While not many will agree believing that parenting should be learnt as we go along, having the knowledge pre-kids would be beneficial. Preparation is key to any job as parenting is often regarded to as a job surely a class is necessary. 
Can parenting be taught? Anything can be taught as long as the person wants to learn and improve on their own natural skills. 
Written by Emma Hayes, staff writer at Family Friendly HQ

Topics

Emma Hayes

Emma Hayes is a busy mum to two girls aged 17 and 11 and is married to her childhood sweetheart.

Read more by Emma
{{ post.excerpt }}
{{ post.content.formatted }}

What is Family Friendly HQ?

Family Friendly HQ is Ireland’s trusted parenting community, dedicated to mums and dads, and families of all shapes and sizes.

Read more about us