| Parents and prospective parents choose to take a | | | | parents and may get involved in sexual behaviors, |
| parenting class for a number of reasons. Some are | | | | drugs, alcohol or smoking. Parents of teens need to |
| new parents of babies or are pregnant and want to | | | | know that they aren't alone in dealing with a difficult |
| know the basics of caring for infants, including | | | | teen. They may need advice on how to set limits with |
| diapering, handling crying, sleep difficulties and | | | | a teen who is gradually growing into adulthood. |
| developmental issues. Most are taking the class | | | | Parents may take a parenting class because they |
| because they are nervous and want to parent their | | | | want to improve their abilities as a parent. They may |
| child well from the start. | | | | also be ordered by child protective services or the |
| There are specific parenting class offerings for | | | | court because the parent has had difficulties with the |
| parents of toddlers. This includes the "terrible twos" | | | | law or with child abuse issues. These classes are |
| and three year olds. By this time, the parent may be | | | | designed to help the parent cope with going back to |
| having difficulty with an out of control child and may | | | | parenting after the legal system says it's okay for the |
| need to learn aspects of disciplining the child that don't | | | | family to be reunited. Parents who go to these kinds of |
| involve hitting or spanking the child. They may also wish | | | | parenting classes often are not happy going to them |
| to learn about things like helping their child socialize and | | | | but must go to them before they can get their children |
| toilet training. Parents may have other children and are | | | | back. |
| worried about sibling rivalry. They may have a new | | | | Couples may take a parenting class prior to adopting a |
| baby on the way and may be trying to establish a | | | | child. As they did not know the child from the moment |
| calmer household with more than one child in it. | | | | of its birth, they may choose to or be asked to take |
| School districts will offer a parenting class for parents | | | | classes that help them be the best kind of parent they |
| of school age children. This may be geared toward | | | | can be. In some cases, there are parenting classes for |
| helping the child maintain friendships in school, helping | | | | parents whose children are diabetic or parents whose |
| children overcome learning disabilities and sibling rivalry. | | | | children are autistic. These kinds of classes are highly |
| Children have occasional discipline issues as well, which | | | | specialized and bring together a group of parents who |
| can be handled in this type of parenting class. | | | | definitely have something in common. Such parents |
| An often overlooked type of parenting class is that of | | | | can also get together on a parenting forum to discuss |
| parenting teens. Children from ages 13-18 will change a | | | | issues even after the classes are over with. |
| lot during these years. They will test the limits of the | | | | |