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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by daisym on May 28, 2005, at 23:41:35
I'm curious if anyone has taken a parenting class or joined a support group. I want to know what parents need and want.
For myself, I'd like a teen support group but I think I want it to be parents who have boys. Girls seem to have very different issues.
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).
Posted by daisym on May 30, 2005, at 13:33:20
In reply to Re: Parenting Classes » daisym, posted by annierose on May 29, 2005, at 22:21:32
Good point. I hadn't thought about it helping my guys. I always want to say to moms who talk about boys as predators, "as far as I can see, it is YOUR daughter who is calling MY son..."
I think the support around limits is hugely important. I don't know how many times I've reminded parents that they aren't their child's friend and can't be. This is hard because we don't want our kids to be unhappy, especially with us. Now that my kids are older, I've asked the oldest if he thought I was too strict. He sweetly said no, that it was the right balance of rules and flexibility and humor. He said he always knew that if it was important to him and he stated his case, I would listen. He did say that I worried too much. :) I just told him, wait until you have your own kids!
Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2005, at 8:10:19
In reply to Parenting Classes, posted by daisym on May 28, 2005, at 23:41:35
Yes, we took a few at different times. When my son was younger. There don't seem to be as many for parents with older kids.
This is the end of the thread.
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