Free parenting classes -- what more could a wife of a Scotsman want?!

You can tell I've been married to a Scotsman for too long -- I get excited about anything that's free.

So when I found a memo from the school crumpled up on the bottom of Alexandra's book bag advertising a parenting class aimed at parents with reception children dealing with transition, I signed up.

And I'm VERY glad I did.

It had been ages since I'd read anything on emotional support for five-year-olds. When my first was born, I devoured every available book. After having three children in quick succession, the parenting books are replaced by Dr. Seuss (the former are in a box in the attic gathering dust.)

The evening started off well  -- I left the children at home with dad! I was greeted with wine and snacks, and for a minute I thought I was at the wrong event.

Elaine Hughes, a primary school teacher, led the course. I immediately felt at ease with her, and she was able to keep the audience engaged and sharing experiences throughout the whole evening.

The class was a great reminder that as parents we hold the key to our children's success. We can instill confidence and give them the self-esteem they need to get them through life as teenagers and adults. It's so critical to recognise that now, and not be bogged down in day-to-day child care duties.

Here are some things you probably already know, but it's great to be reminded (especially with a glass of wine in your hand):

• Strong willed children are more difficult to manage and take more of your time, and you can overlook the needs of "easy" children
• It's easy to damage a child's self-esteem (does any of this sound familiar: "You naughty boy! Put that down! Don't you dare speak to me like that!)
• It's also easy to build it up (Well done! You're clever! I like it when you do that!)
• Give choices and consequences
• Children love routines
• Don't give in when you are too tired, feel guilty, or want them to like you
• Be consistent
• Stay calm
• Say sorry

I'd like to thank the school and a scheme called Extended Schools for funding the evening.

I highly recommend the course, if a note comes through in your child's book bag -- SIGN UP.

And I'm not taking the mickey when I say it's worth every penny!

This post was written by Susanna, a London Mums Blog founding contributor. You can read more at her blog, A Modern Mother.

Photo credit: Polka Dot Dress

Comments

[TooManyHats]

Wine and snacks - just for that and a night out without littles would make me sign-up :) Glad you enjoyed the night and got some good things out of it. No matter how old they are it is always helpful to have another perspective.

[TooManyHats]

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[Aimee (journey2learn)]

Thanks for sharing these tips. I always need these reminders...

[Parenting Classes]

Thanks for your Great Post! Parenting can be a tough job and nobody is ever truly prepared for it so when some parents get completely overwhelmed. In that case Parenting courses help you to let kids have a happy life. Many parents enlist the help of professionals to gain new parenting skills and enable them to succeed in developing a suitable parenting plan for their children.