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| Yes | 65% | 177 votes | Total: 274 votes | |
| No | 35% | 97 votes |
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Add to FavoritesParents who are seeking a full spectrum of help from their prenatal classes would do well to have a discipline module incorporated into their prenatal classes. Even parents who have children already can use extra help in knowing how, when, and why discipline is an important part of life for their children. The question is, "Who is the boss?" Some newborns come here wanting to answer that question with a loud yell that makes mom and dad run to the crib, snatch him up as though an earthquake was occuring, and then embrace him with tender love until he decides to calm down and go back to sleep. Their tired, sleep deprived faces are evidence that they are not the boss at that point. Later, if the crying keeps up, and mom and dad concede to the never ending demands of the baby, they will find themselves ill equipped to handle even everyday life affairs. Making it clear that the parents are in charge to even the newborn can bring relief at an early age, and save many heartaches in the future.
Prenatal classes teach parents the best methods for helping them to conserve their vital forces of energy as well as meet their son or daughter's nutrition, hygiene and fundamental
needs at the same time. It is hectic at first, but irons out later. Eventually parents have to plan how they will survive child rearing and not allow it to stress them out. Discipline begins, of course, with disciplined parents. They have to realize that order is and equity will abide in their schedules and routines. They have to set priorities and run their household in such a way as to accomplish all that needs their attendance for their short term and long term goals. As parents establish their boundaries for themselves, so must they set up equal markers and boundaries for their children. Here is where discipline comes into play. I see discipline as a necessity for existance.
Because there are various schools of thought as to what discipline should be, the instructor in a prenatal class may have some techniques that will work if applied. However, many parents are comfortable with their own methods which are working for them in their homes.
Some parents have a consequence based discipline school of thought, and others resort to a rewards and punishment system. Some homes have stern lectures, time outs, and family discussions. Others raise their children the same way they were brought up. Because children vary in disposition, it is always good to recognize that not all methods work for all children. Some children see through lax methods of discipline and begin to rule the home and parents until there is nothing left but parents who throw their hands up in full surrender. Others, who love an orderly home, demand that their children respect others in the home and participate as a member of the family keeping in mind that the parents are the bosses.
I see no harm in allowing a prenatal class to touch on discipline. What really matters is that would-be parents, and parents who already have children know that they are equipped with information which will invariably make their lives easier and fuller. Because knowledge is power, every parent should be adequately equipped with the same. After all, when baby comes,
he/she will be coming into the world, and for at least 18 years or so, parents will need all the knowledge and power they can acquire.
Learn more about this author, Toni Doswell.
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No
Prenatal classes are designed to prepare expectant parents for the impending labor and birth of their child. All aspects of pregnancy, labor and delivery are complicated subjects in their own right, and to attempt to include training in discipline methods would result in an overload of surperfluous information.
Discipli ne is a natural component of parenting classes which new parents can access at a later date, as their child develops and grows. Most of what is learned in discipline training sessions will not be useful to the parents during the infancy of their newborn.
The purpose of prenatal classes is to allow the parents-to-be to assimilate the following:
* Answers to questions and concerns about pregnancy
* Learning how to be comfortable during pregnancy
* Learning how the fetus develops
* Learn what is normal, and what is not, during pregancy
* Learning what to expect during labor, possible premature labor or false labor
* Learning about pain relief options during labor and delivery
* Learning how to care for a newborn
* Learning all about the pros and cons of breastfeeding
* Postpartum information
With all the material to cover in prenatal classes surrounding the immediate concerns of pregnancy, birth and newborn care, to attempt to introduce a subject as complex and diverse as discipline methods would be folly on the part of the prenatal instructor.
During question and answer sessions, some inexperienced and misguided expectant parents might inquire about how to discipline their child. This might be impetus for the instructor to touch lightly on the subject.
In depth lessons would be inappropriate, but a brief discussion of the various philosophies of discipline and at what age each would likely be introduced would be sufficient to satisfy parental queries. Any further time dedicated to the subject of discipline would be valuable time taken away from preparing the parents for the important impending events for which the prenatal classes are intended.
Prenatal classrooms should have brochures and informational pamphlets on display, providing the parents with contact information about parenting classes and discipline training.
The first year of a newborn's life is a pivotal time for the infant and parents to become acquainted and complete the crucial bonding process. It is a time for gentle, loving care for the baby from the parents and for the parents between themselves.
It can also be a stressful time, for transitioning from a couple to a family is often an overwhelming change. Expectations can run high and energy can deplete as new parents are often sleep deprived and unsure of their own competence with their new addition.
Even the most comprehensive prenatal classes often do not adequately prepare the parents for some of the negative experiences they might encounter. The new mother might be have mild to severe postnatal depression, the new father may feel displaced and the infant, sensitive to the stressful atmosphere could become colicky. It is one thing to listen to a lecture in a prenatal class about these possibilities, but quite another to experience them first hand.
To get through the early days of their baby's infancy, the new parents will need to be equipped with focused information about postpartum, newborn care and breastfeeding. These are the appropriate subjects to be covered in prenatal classes.
The last thing new parents need to worry about is how they are going to discipline their progeny in the future. They will have ample time to address that issue when they are not suffering from sleep deprivation; after their baby is finally sleeping through the night.
Learn more about this author, Carol Gioia.
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