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Parents want concrete support, not parenting lessons
Filed under: Just For Moms, Just For Dads
An article online at Society Today suggested that the British government plans to spend more money on advice that may not be welcomed by parents, who are more interested in concrete services than in parenting classes. The comments, based on a survey of 1,112 parents of 'middle aged' children, reported that the majority of parents felt they didn't need professional advice and guidance to help them bring up their children. In-depth interviews suggest that the concept of parenting advice is a sensitive one, with parents associating advice with intrusion unless the information is related to the more formal aspects of their children's lives. Working class parents were particularly dismissive of the advice that they had received in the past from professionals. In contrast, on the occasions when middle class parents seek advice, they are more likely to see themselves as consumers. This is an interesting issue. Which would you rather have: parenting advice or support when you need it?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-12-2006 @ 12:38PM
Luna said...I can understand where these parents are coming from, some "teachers" of these parenting classes seem to be stuck in a one-size fits all rut. It is espically frustrating when some of these "professionals" are not parents and have no concept of what we go through at times. I would rather have support when I need it myself. Having suffered from 2 bouts of PPD the last thing I need/want is to be made to feel as if I am doing anything/everything wrong.
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9-12-2006 @ 5:53PM
Susan said...I would chose support, hands down. I read all the parenting books when I had my first baby, but because he has some neurological issues, nothing helped me. The "advice" made me feel like I was a failure as a mother.
But then, after he was diagnosed, we started working with a psychologist whose job was to offer support--to reassure us that we were making good decisions and doing the right things for our family. She helps us strategize specific situations, but she doesn't offer one-size-fits-all advice. I am more empowered by her participation in our family that I ever was by any generic parenting advice.
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9-13-2006 @ 12:33PM
Brenda said...Services duh! You get enough parenting advice in day to day life, what you may not have is:
-Breastfeeding support (Yes the LLL is almost everywhere but they are not a one size fits all solution)
-Mom drop ins
-Phone access to health professinals for advice 24/7
-In some countries free HEALTH CARE (especially for the kiddies, I'm looking at you USA in Britain when my family was on vacation she got FREE medical attention and she isn't even a citizen let alone a resident.)
-Ways to get to the community centers with baby. Oh and elevators... why would they put the local new parent assistance center up two flights of narrow stairs? I am pro-baby carrier but some women use strollers and some have had c-sections.
-More community sponsored classes like singing/music, swimming, exercise, arts and crafts. etc etc At reasonable prices. There are a couple of community singing classes here for the under 2 set at a reasonable price ($20-$30 for 6 classes) but they only run 4 times a year, only once a day so if the time doesn't work for you too bad and the classes fill up as soon as the registration starts.
Ok I'm going to go drink my coffee now and hopefully become more coherent.
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