It's possible to get a Ph.D in physics, but there aren't any degrees in parenting. Most parents admit they learn as they go by doing or not doing what their parents did, going online or talking with friends who are also parents. Sometimes, especially when parents faces a particularly hard challenge, that isn't enough. For those situations, community centers, hospitals and mental health clinics frequently offer parenting-skills training. These classes aim to help parents develop useful strategies for raising their children.
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Features
Classes in parenting skills typically cover areas including discipline, sibling conflict, behavior management and life events such as divorce. Some programs are designed for families in crisis, for example those with severely depressed or angry teenagers. The classes are meant to help parents develop better strategies for dealing with their children.
Benefits
Parent-education programs teach mothers and fathers how to communicate, set limits and nurture their children in various stages of their growth. They provide support to parents who may feel isolated. The ultimate goals are an improved parent-child relationship and family health.
Principles of Parenting Skills Training
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists elements that these programs should include. It notes that they should focus on building family strength. To do that, parents should be permitted to set their own goals.
Professionals
Psychologists can provide parenting-skills training in both individual and group settings. Others who offer help in this area include social workers, counselors, children service workers, teachers, child-development specialists and health educators. There are also certification programs for parent coaches who provide support and training services.
Methods
Parenting-skills training can have a variety of formats. Sometimes it's offered in a series of weekly sessions. Sometimes it's offered as a one-day seminar. Individual counseling sessions are also common. In group settings, parents are encouraged to interact and specific activities can include role-playing.
Where to Find Parenting-Skills Training
Community centers, hospitals and schools are good places to check for parenting-skills programs. Community centers often have workshops or classes with specific parenting topics, while hospitals may provide a list of health-care providers who are familiar with this training.
