IMO Teenage parents should have mandatory parenting classes...*double editted*

[newmom_1989]

I actually think that anyone no matter how old should want to take a few classes when they are expecting their first baby. I did, they were fun for me. and since I was in baby-mode, and i liked feeling that I had everything under control....anyways I was curious what you think. Do you think that teenager parents should be required to take classes?What about just first time parents in general/ or maybe for each new baby if it has been more than a year.

theres so many things that are important to know: (these are the ones that I took, wish I couldve taken more)

- breastfeeding info

-cpr and safety/ baby proofing

-parenting styles

-lamaze 1-4

-baby basics (bathing, diapering, feeding & burping, soothing secrets, carseat install etc)

I dont know I am just wondering if anyone feels the same way. Did you take any classes? Which ones?

***********EDIT REPLY # 79 PG 8********

ha, and ***page 11 ***so that i can reiderate some things that keep being overlooked....hey, read the whole thing before you reply! I am not insulting teen parents...dont insult me!!!

  here, so you dont have to read all the replies to know what you are talking about!:

You wrote on Jun. 5, 2009 at 11:03 AM Here's a question, to all who got in an uproar when I said I think that teenage Parents (not just the mom btw, which everyone failed to recognize) should take parenting classes: Would you have gotten just as upset (and some of you with the immature responses like I have my head up my ass- Ya classy) If I said that I think that ALL people should be REQUIRED to take parenting classes when they are expecting a new baby? I mean most of you got all your panties in a bunch, then said that EVERYONE should have to take them....so basically making 15 year olds learn how to take care of that baby is wrong, but forcing adults who most likely have common knowledge, and life experience and usually a lot more maturity is okay?! (Not saying of course that all older people are good parents, or that teenagers don't know anything about babies- just that it makes more sense to teach the young) IMO if the older parents are in need of some parenting classes (which i think everyone is truely whether they've been around babies all their life or not) then they should have the financial access, and abilities to take those courses and read those books all on their own without being advised to do so. (hopefully) Again I am going to say, I was a teenage mom. I got pregnant at 19 and was on a mission to change the person that I was (quit the pot, cigarettes, alcohol, you name it-partying like there was no tomorrow) Just stoppped hanging out all together(the other people my age that got pregnant around the same time are still partying, not bfding because they wanted to drink, not taking care of their own baby because the grandparents are there for that) ...and I read about 20 books, went to several classes, read magazines, researched on the Internet.....  when it came down to it, and I knew what to do because I had done the research, i was very content with my abilities. I just wish that everyone could have that stability when bringing home a new baby! Especially when it's such a drastic change like going from a happy go lucky teen, to a new mom! It can be overwhelming, depressing, even down right boring at times (when they are sleeping, lol) but all I was saying is that they would benefit from them. Not insulting teens, calling teens stupid, or any other reason that so many of you took it upon yourself to defend the teenagers as if they didn't deserve the "assumption" okay, now you get where I'm coming from? or is this going to continue?

 

You wrote on Jun. 5, 2009 at 1:47 PM Why does everyone think that someone having to take parenting classes is such an insult? think about it this way, you wouldnt tell someone who was in college, furthering their education that the reason they are in school is because they dont know anything! right? Just because someone is taking classes to be better parents doesnt mean that they weren't going to be already without them....it just means that they will be more prepared when the baby comes. In case of emergencies or just for simple facts that they might not have picked up on...whats the big deal? Like I said time and time again- I was a teen mom, I found that the classes were the only thing that I could really reassign myself with, its a major adjustment, a HUGE change! The classes were helpful and helped me feel like I was prepared when the baby came. Plus they were fun :)

[Angelbabii407]

I dont think teen parents should be required to take parenting classes. my mom has done in-home daycare since i was 4, so I have been around babies/toddlers since then. I helped her everyday, changing diapers, feeding, playing and such. Before I could discharged from the hospital they made me take a class and I really didnt learn anything I didnt already know. I read so many books and so on and I felt I didnt need to take it. Plus it was the only time (besides when he got checked over/warmed up for an hour) that my son was in the nursery and I was very nervous the whole tim!

[MawagaMom]

I think that assuming teens need them is idiotic.  I think everyone should take them !  There are lots of women having babies at ALL ages who need some education.  So to point out one age group I think is wrong.  I was 19 when I got my step-son after his 32 year old mother left him home alone in his crib.  I had more experience with helping with kids in my family then she ever did. 

[2brats1chkymnky]

Coming from a once teenage mom I think it is a good idea. Babies do not come with handbooks, duh! But it I can really say that all the emotional stress having a new baby and being a teenager is extremely rough and many times you do not have the support of family, friends(those tend to disappear when you have a baby), and the baby's father it is really hard. So maybe taking parenting classes, then maybe having a group with other teen moms after the baby is born would probably help tremendously.

[lilberber]

it kind of is in the high school i went to, LOL the best times ever! well we got plastic computer chip baby that wouldnt stop crying! "my husband" then (partner) couldnt handle the crying and said i was a stay at home mom while he worked! LOL

[anziomom]

 I think parenting classes can benefit any age...but what if they refuse? Then what?

[JulyBabies]

To assume teenage parents are any less capable than an older person is asinine. I've seen 30 something year old parents who are completely incompetent.

[Ilovemyson51508]

they kinda do that at the hospital when i had my son but it was Everyone not just one group i think pointing out teen s is a bad idea i was a teen mom and could care for my baby better than my mom could care for me a a child and she was 32 when she had me so.... 

[frndlyfn]

Quoting lilberber:

it kind of is in the high school i went to, LOL the best times ever! well we got plastic computer chip baby that wouldnt stop crying! "my husband" then (partner) couldnt handle the crying and said i was a stay at home mom while he worked! LOL

I was the "single" parent in that class LOL  after one night of having the baby home, my mom said no more.  It would not stop crying.  I babysat alot from age 13 on so i knew how to take care of babies and different discipline methods as they got older.

[anziomom]

 Back to add:

I took eighteen months of almost daily parenting classes. In order for my child to attend the school daycare, it was required. While I did not agree with everything they taught, I know they were beneficial. The group support was the most important factor.

[sahmommy2]

i had one of those in my home ec class and it kind of was beneficial. to the op.. i have been around babies all my life but i love learning new things and ways of doing what i already know so yup i get your pst and agree

Quoting lilberber:

it kind of is in the high school i went to, LOL the best times ever! well we got plastic computer chip baby that wouldnt stop crying! "my husband" then (partner) couldnt handle the crying and said i was a stay at home mom while he worked! LOL