Effective Parenting Classes Online: The Science of Parenting Skills

Remember the movie Apollo 13? It was a suspense-filled, true story, about a space ship that was supposed to land on the moon, but had mechanical troubles that could have caused it to crash and burn instead of returning to earth.
As I sat on the edge of my seat watching the movie, I was surprised when I saw how they plotted the trajectory for the ship's return flight. It they were off by one degree, the rocket would miss earth entirely and be lost in space forever. That is because a single degree - although tiny at the beginning - becomes massive when time and space are thrown into the mix.

What does this have to do with sound parenting classes online?

If you're like most parents, you do your best with the tools you've got. You listen to good advice and read expert opinions on raising kids and take parenting classes online. Unfortunately, most parents don't seek out and root parenting skills in theories and processes that have been "conclusively proven" to be helpful in raising kids who thrive and flourish in life.

Proven Parenting Principles from Parenting Classes Online

There is a good reason why we should sit up and take notice of parenting ideas that have been scientifically proven. Those "proven" practices from parenting classes online just might make all the difference between whether our children crash and burn in adulthood, or enjoy a rewarding and meaningful life.

For example, who knew that evaluative praise could actually cause your child to fear taking risks or become a "praise junkie" (who cares more about a pat on the head than learning)?

But we know it now. Through 30 years of research in parenting classes online, we have now discovered how to praise our kids in ways that help them achieve their goals in life. Take parenting classes online. Helping kids achieve life goals - isn't that something all parents would want for their children?

How Do You Know What Works?

Is that ever the question. There are three ways you can tell what works, 1) Read the scientific journal articles 2) Listen to or read parenting classes online from someone you know researches scientific information, and 3) You will at least be ahead of the game if you follow the three As:

Ask Yourself

The next time your child does something that frustrates, annoys, angers, delights, or fills you with pride, stop and think for a moment. Ask yourself, "Am I doing what is best for my child?" or "Am I reacting out of habit?"

Accept Yourself

Oh goodness gracious, you will make errors, and you will do great things for your kids. That's part of life. By accepting your errors and your greatness, you are better able to accept those things in your kids. You are obviously a loving, caring parent or you wouldn't be reading about parenting classes online.

Ask Questions

Just because something sounds great, sensible or even kooky, doesn't make it right or wrong. One parent almost crawled through the phone at me during parenting classes online because she was so upset at the idea of reducing her "evaluative" praise. Then there is the anti-drug program that was in 75% of our schools before anyone tested it, and when they did, it turned out that it was more likely to promote drug use in non-users, than stop it. Thank heaven some people asked, "Do parenting classes online really work?"

Just asking, "Where did the idea come from, what proof is there that it works?' will get you moving in the right direction.
Also, did you know there is an amazing difference in the impact of how your praise your child? One type of praise can cause your child to give up in defeat when he runs into an obstacle. Another kind of praise can motivate your kids to positive action! Taking parenting classes online and changing a few words can make a night and day difference in your child's life.

Pam Golden