Parenting Workshops: FAQs Part I

Children are God’s greatest gift to a couple. Nature has equipped us with maternal and paternal instincts which do kick in over a period of time. Unfortunately though, in an ultra modern, uber competitive world, parenting as a skill also needs a major update. Children today are thrown into a world that is cutthroat and stressful from them at a young age. Are we as parents equipped with this, with the stress factor and all that goes with the territory of being the guardians of children of the 21st century? This is where parenting workshops come in really handy. Conducted by child health experts, psychologists and other professionals who deal with the stresses and strains of child rearing on a daily basis.

When is the right time to take a Parenting Class?

While nature has equipped a woman with an innate maternal instinct that has sustained, mother-child bonding through the ages. It is wise to invest in a parenting workshop even before you have a child. Let us face it, a ritual becomes a habit only when practised diligently and being a parent is no different. There are some best practises that need to be inculcated in you the parents, well in advance for you to be able to use it instinctively with your little one when he/she finally arrives.

What would a parenting workshop teach me?

A parentingworkshop teaches parents different techniques to deal with the lifestyle adjustments that come with different phases of a child’s life. For instance, when a child is in his/her formative years his/her needs are completely different that say a teenager. There are subtle differences between the way one deals with children at different ages. These subtle differences are what a good parenting workshop will teach you.

What are things to keep in mind when choosing  parenting workshop?

The following are the things you need to keep in mind:

●      The reputation of the class in question

●      Your willingness to learn

●      The right class for your needs

●      The kind of methodology they use.

Let us look at each of these variables in slightly greater detail.

The reputation of the class: You need to be able to trust fully the people from whom you learn the techniques of dealing with your children. Always ensure that the panelists, child psychologists, teachers and facilitators are experienced and accredited. Discuss the reputation of the class with your friends who may have attended workshops, seminars and other programmes by these people.

Your willingness to learn: As with almost everything in life, your attitude towards learning needs to be the right one. Don’t be afraid of judgement, ask questions and clear all doubts that you might have, after all it is the future of your child that you will be doing these sessions for!

The right kind of class for your needs: Evaluate your needs as individuals and parents before you commit to a class. There are a whole lot of variables at play here. For instance a child with developmental issues would require and necessitate a different class than a couple who are expecting their first born.

The methodology they use: There are different schools of thought prevalent when it comes to child rearing and raising. Do a bit of reading on the internet about the various schools of thought and then decide on which class to invest in.

Watch this space for more information in our next week’s post.