15+ Online Parenting Classes You Can Take for Free
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Becoming a parent is one of the most rewarding, selfless things that a person can do. Parenting classes might be a great way to help guide you. After all, it’s one of the most challenging, most stressful, and anxiety-inducing things a person can do!
You can also try meditation, getting outside, or breathwork for some stress relief.
From the moment you find out you are expecting, every parent starts to think about the type of parent they will be.
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It starts with what you will eat during pregnancy and how you will give birth. Late-night conversations happen daily because there are so many unanswered questions. You start writing lists and researching because you want to be educated and prepared.
There are so many resources that it becomes daunting and frustrating and, to be honest, expensive too.
How many books could you buy that walk you through how to swaddle a newborn? Probably a million, but do you really want to spend that kind of money?
Look no further; I am here to take some stress off your plate. I have compiled a list of great resources for any caregiver to utilize that provide reliable information on parenting.
I think we all hope to be peaceful parents in the beginning, but I also think that sometimes we might have to shift gears depending on the situation.
We all want happy kids, but the parenting game is no joke.
Many of these resources are free and designed to educate anyone who will be caring for a child. Whether a grandparent, a single parent, or a divorced couple that wants to co-parent productively, these resources provide really great tools, tips, and information.
Why Take a Parenting Class?
There are so many reasons why you should take a parenting class, and there is no shame in taking a class or some personal sessions to help you and your spouse prepare for this journey or to help you have a healthy relationship with your children.
It could be that a behavior problem has come up and/or you’re dealing with big emotions that you need some help handling.
You could be going through a big transition in your life and need some help navigating this season of your life.
Kids sometimes go through periods of misbehavior, and it’s a good idea to get some help as you grow with your kids.
For new parents, parenting classes can help ease feelings of stress and anxiety about becoming a parent.
For caregivers, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even friends who will be involved in raising a child, a parenting class can be a refresher or help you learn a new skill, such as performing CPR on a baby.
For couples separating or going through mediation, parenting classes may be required as part of a child custody arrangement. For new Fathers, we have seen an increase of parenting resources dedicated to Fathers only. This is because extensive research and evidence show that having a strong, present Father figure reaps incredible benefits in a child’s life.
We all have different styles, emotions, and things going on in our lives. Having a supportive environment is very helpful and will help you have a positive relationship with your family and yourself.
You want to be a confident parent, enforce positive discipline and look at parenting in a positive way. Support groups are great for sharing experiences and getting help from mental health professionals if there is a need or want for a counselor.
There are so many different types of classes where you can learn online at your own pace or have an instructor in person to help you.
Effective communication is key in finding a class that’s perfect for you. Reach out and express your concerns to see if the class is what you’re looking for.
Different Parenting Styles
Parenting is a lot different than it was in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Those were simpler times and times when parents got away with a lot more than they would today.
Smoking during pregnancy was normal, seatbelts were an option, no one rode a helmet while riding a bike, and everyone and their mother gave you unsolicited parenting advice. Okay, well, the unsolicited parenting advice is still a thing!
Children were meant to be seen and not heard. Which meant “go outside and play.” So they did! They knew they had to go home when the street lights turned on.
Today, we understand the adverse effects of smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating, and the lack of seat belts on our kids.
In addition, there is a strong focus on the mental well-being of a mother postpartum and the mental well-being of children throughout their developmental years.
Divorce rates were much lower.
Unmarried couples or single women having children were unheard of or frowned upon. More women had children much earlier in their lives because a career was just not an option.
Parenting has changed quite a bit since then. As a society, we have identified many different parenting styles, and the roles of mom and dad have changed significantly. Parents don’t look like the Ken and Barbie of the past.
Parents today are interracial, same-sex, single, divorced, and living common-law.
Today we have a variety of parenting styles, and they are studied and talked about frequently.
Psychologists tend to focus on four key parenting styles:
Authoritarian Parent:
A manner that does not consider children’s feelings and focuses on obedience. There are no explanations for rules, and punishment is a disciplinary tactic.
Authoritative Parent:
A style that focuses on building a positive and open relationship with a child. Authoritative parents will work to prevent behavioral concerns and believe their children’s feelings should be considered and validated.
Permissive Parent:
A parenting style with little or no rules implemented, and rarely are they enforced if there are. Consequences are few and far between and believed that a child should learn on their own.
Uninvolved Parent:
A parenting style that can be very detrimental to a child. Uninvolved parents do not know where their child is or who they are with. They don’t spend time with their children and never ask questions about school or how they are feeling. Instead, the expectation is that the child raises themselves.
There are two additional styles of parenting that have gained popularity in recent years:
Free-range Parent:
A style that promotes greater independence in children with less adult supervision. I encourage creativity, problem-solving skills, and the forming of strong personalities. Parents who are free range will support and guide a child when they make a mistake but will not discourage mistakes from happening as long as they are in a reasonably safe manner.
Helicopter Parent:
A parenting style that sees parents overly involved in every aspect of their child’s lives to protect them from pain and disappointment. They believe that being incredibly involved will help their child succeed. As a result, helicopter parents worry more about the safety of their children resulting in reduced childhood experiences.
Experts say that the most effective parenting style is Authoritative. Children raised by authoritative parents tend to suffer less from depression and anxiety, academically are more successful and socially confident. They also have better problem skills.
But, as in most things, there are downsides as well. For example, some experts feel that children of Authoritative parents have lower self-esteem and have a dependence on rules making them less flexible in life situations.
When it comes to the different parenting styles and what the experts say is the best, take it with a grain of salt.
The most important thing is that your child knows and feels that they are loved unconditionally by you.
Online Parenting Classes
Online parenting classes are convenient and abundant. You can search a range of topics to learn about, such as:
Pre and Post Natal
Healthy nutrition during and after pregnancy
Positive Parenting
CPR for babies and toddlers
Postpartum depression
Caregiver classes for grandparents
Dealing with children who have ADHD
How to speak to your toddler, child, teen
Breastfeeding classes
Coping with loss
Co-parenting through divorce or separation
Courses specific to Fathers.
The fantastic thing in this day and age is that we have so many resources available to us at the tip of our fingers. Plugin any of these topics into your search engine, and the possibilities of what you will find are truly endless.
Where to Find Parenting Classes Near You.
Most new parents will be given many resources after welcoming their new bundle of joy into this world. But unfortunately, those resources will be disregarded as they are thrown into the first sleepless nights with their new baby.
So, where do you look for parenting classes near you?
You can find parenting classes online, as mentioned before. You can also look at places of worship and community centers as they will regularly offer courses to new parents and or caregivers.
Libraries are also great place to find free classes and workshops for parents and caregivers.
Instagram parenting accounts and Facebook parenting groups are also great options, as they will frequently post and share workshops and classes in your area.
The YWCA or other municipal or government websites also offer resources to help navigate the intricacies of parenthood.
A non-profit, such as family service organizations, may also offer caregivers and new parents resources.
Workshops and classes can be expensive, so I would recommend taking the time to look for options that are economical or free.
Free Parenting Classes
Below is a list of websites that offer free parenting and caregiver workshops or classes, or webinars.
Some of these may only offer one workshop for free, so make sure to carefully read what is offered before signing up.
However, the costs can be pretty nominal in some cases, so it may also be worth exploring those options.
Websites catering to productive parenting for divorced parents offer free courses, but you have to pay to receive a certificate of completion.
Many, if not all, will offer the ability to join their Facebook group or Instagram page so that you connect with others in similar situations.
This promotes an opportunity to share tips and tactics that have worked or haven’t within the group.
https://mentalhealth.openpathcollective.org/parenting/free-class
https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/web-free-webinars
https://alison.com/course/advanced-parenting-skills
https://www.edx.org/course/the-science-of-parenting
https://www.coursera.org/learn/everyday-parenting
https://www.verywellfamily.com/childbirth-class-six-online-2758532
https://www.classcentral.com/subject/parenting
https://www.onlineparentingprograms.com/
https://genmindful.com/pages/free-positive-parenting-class
https://www.coursera.org/learn/supporting-parents-newborn-baby
https://www.coursera.org/learn/motivate-genz-learners
https://www.fatheringtogether.org/approach
https://familyhopecenter.com/helping-your-child
https://www.bccf.ca/program/online-parenting-programs
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From Ho-Hum To Happy: How to Reduce Stress, Improve Your Mindset, and Manifest your Best Life.
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You know the saying it takes a village to raise a child? It really does. Parenting is never perfect, nor is it easy.
You will make mistakes while raising children or helping in caring for a child. But, it’s part of the job of parenting because you are human, and we all make mistakes.
The most important thing is to understand that you are not alone.
The resources available here are really just the tip of the iceberg.
Do your best to research as much as possible, participate in workshops and classes, connect with others who are expecting, and don’t be afraid to seek help.
As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.