Posted by annierose on May 29, 2005, at 22:21:32
In reply to Parenting Classes, posted by daisym on May 28, 2005, at 23:41:35
Daisy -
Yes, I've gone both to parenting classes and a subsequent support group a few years back. After my second child was born, my sister-in-law signed me up (I ended up going, she quit). Anyway, to answer your question, it was moderated by a PhD in Education. We read a book (the name escapes me right now) and discussed a chapter for the first hour, and the second hour we asked specific questions.
The moderator tried to group parents together with like aged children. We had husbands come and go, but by and large, it was mostly woman. After completing the course (10 weeks) she then offered a support group that met once a month. Same type of format, read a parenting book, discussed it and then broke into discussions about our own issues. I went for about 3 years.What I wanted from the group was to know that I wasn't alone. That other parents struggled with bedtimes, limitations, what to say, what to do, how to console, etc. etc. I had zero frame of reference for parenting appropriately. I needed some guidelines, some boundaries and to share our collective guilt.
Gender is important, I agree. But I think it you were grouped with parents of teens, the insight you'd gain re:girls and their issues, would help you in your understanding of your sons
(or help you when your sons complain about girls).
poster:annierose
thread:504519
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20050226/msgs/505022.html