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| Yes | 68% | 40 votes | Total: 59 votes | |
| No | 32% | 19 votes |
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Add to FavoritesOh the joys of parenting. As we waddle down the hallways of local hospitals to our lamaze or new parent classes with big bellies and happy thoughts, we think of nothing but the cute little pink or blue bundle waiting at the end of our pregnancy rainbow. We sit and watch with wonder the videos of childbirth and the miracle of life and not a word is said about what our little darlings become as they learn to crawl, then walk and talk.. and talk back.
Childhood development and parental classes should be taught to new parents as a way of preparing them for a very interesting, and difficult future. Unless you hear all the horror stories from a sibling or close friend with children, it is hard to be prepared for all the fun and not so fun things you have to look forward too.
It is hard enough to figure out your child on your own, much less when you have never been around children before. No one prepares you for dealing with an unruly toddler who will not eat anything except M & M's or Tootsie Rolls. Or the toddler who digs in their pants and runs runs into the kitchen and exclaims "Mommy, look what I found! " as they hand you your first handful of poop. So many behaviors could be covered, but even touching on a few can help a scary time in a parents life.
With the funny situations, come the frightening ones. How to deal with a sick child, how to comfort an inconsolable one, how to ease the scariness of daycare, how to share. These classes are good ideas, but you would have to take them from the beginning of pregnancy until the end of childhood.
Should parental classes be offered during pregnancy? Sure. But experience is the best preparation of all. The first child is always the hardest. The second, just as hard, but you will know how to cope with situations better the second time around. Nonetheless, a child's behavior is based on your own. And, whether you realize it or not, your behavior is the best example to a happy, or unhappy child.
Learn more about this author, Chauncey Spangler.
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No
Pregnancy is a time of great change in a couple's life. There are many things to prepare for, including learning to cope with the pregnancy itself, childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care. Hours can be spent concentrating on these important things, so sparing expectant parents the additional strain of what will face them in two years' time is probably best.
Toddler behavior is complex, and dealing with these tiny people on a daily basis is exhausting. One day they will love peas. The next day they throw them at you. A bump on the head will results in giggles one minute, or streams of tears the next. Why? Who knows. Predicting their actions is virtually impossible. And chances are once you begin to get things figured out, they will change.
Toddlerhood comes after parents have been parents for a couple years. This is critical. By this time parents have developed the patience that is necessary to parent a toddler. This patience will gradually develop through dealing with your toddler daily, and cannot be taught in a class. Established parents also tend to worry less than new parents.
Parents of babies need an entirely different base of knowledge than parents of toddlers. Pregnancy should focus on learning how to cope with more impending issues than toilet-training, sibling-jealousy, and pacifier-weaning. Frankly, the prospect of becoming new parents will be less frightening that way.
Additionally, every toddler is different. Some are very strong-willed and spirited, and need extra patience and special guidance. Others are passive, or more laid back and will require an entirely different set of parenting skills. Unfortunately it is impossible to know before they are born, into which category your toddler will fall. As your baby develops, their personality will begin to emerge. This is the time at which parenting classes should be considered. In many instances, they will prove to be unnecessary.
I tend to be a 'cross that bridge when we come to it' kind of person. Parental classes on toddler behavior should be offered to parents of toddlers (perhaps along with a little therapy or free drinks). Offering them to well-intended expectant parents is just cruel.
Learn more about this author, Tina Lehman.
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