Questions to Ask About Parenting Classes in Houston

Maybe you’ve been wondering about taking a parent class in Houston. You enjoy education and what better topic than how to enhance your relationship with your child? But what exactly should you know before you sign up?

You may have asked around and found some good options for parent classes (ideas for how to do that are in our latest blog, which you can find here). But how do you narrow down your list and find the class that’s the right one for you?

Here are some of our ideas

First, check out the philosophy behind the parenting course.

Is it faith-based? Focused on teaching stricter routines or rules? Maybe you really just want some ideas about how to be the kind of parent you always thought you’d be but just haven’t been able to master. As many ideas as there are about parenting, there are likely that many ideas behind parent classes. Find the one that resonates with you and your family.

What’s the time commitment for a parenting class and how does it fit in with my life?

Parenting classes can meet at different times of day for just a few times, or they might be online-based, and accessible at your convenience. You’ll really want to make the most of your class participation, so be sure that you’ll be able to make all of the classes.

Where does the parent class for Houston families meet? 

In a city the size of Houston, it’s important to be sure your parent class is convenient for you to get to! There are options all over, and some are even meeting virtually. You should be able to find a class that works for where you are.

How are parenting tools and materials presented?

Even if your school days are past you, your learning style still matters. Will your parenting class teacher be lecturing, showing videos, giving you written materials? It may include all of the above. You want to know that you’ll be able to learn, remember, and practice the parent class lessons.

What is the investment for joining a parenting class?

There can be a variety of fees for parent education, so you should be able to find one that fits your budget. Are fees discounted for more than one participant? The more consistent parents are in using parenting techniques, the better for their kids. And remember, if you find a parenting class that fits your goals, it’s an investment into the foundation for your family.

Is the parenting expert and class teacher someone you can see yourself trusting?

If they don’t feel like a fit to you, then the class may not be the right thing for you. Parenting your child is one of the most important things in your life--you deserve to have a parenting class teacher who you think knows their stuff.

Does the material have a basis in research in parenting and family issues?

A lot of parenting techniques can seem like common sense because they make sense to us as parents. But they might not actually work for lots of different families. If you’re basing parenting decisions on parent class materials, you want it to be a solid base. Ask enough questions to make an informed decision about whether the parent class really works.

What’s the focus of the parenting class?

Does it look at kids’ behavior as the problem and give parents tools to make them fall in line? Is it focused mainly on understanding kids’ feelings and justifying limits to them? Does the class see parents as making big mistakes and messing up their kids as a result? If the premise of the class is out of line with your parenting philosophy, it may not be the right fit. 

All these questions can give you lots of information, and you may think some of it doesn’t align with what you have in mind. We know we’ve been telling you what you should look for and that it should feel like the right fit for you. That said, be open to learning new things. If you find a class that is based on what’s right with you and your child, enhancing your relationship, and giving you research-backed tools to use at home-- give it a chance.

Our classes fit the above description, so if that sounds like something you’d appreciate, give us a call at 713-936-0633. We can answer all your questions and help you figure out if our parent classes are the right fit for you.