Grandparenting classes

shutaff · May 2014

I saw this article and thought I'd share. I have definitely had to tell my mom most of the stuff that is mentioned in the article, and she already has four grandkids (although they are all 11-14 now, so things have changed). So what do you think... grandparenting classes - good idea or overkill?

https://www.today.com/moms/back-sleep-back-classes-teach-grandparents-new-rules-raising-kids-2D79619919?cid=social_20140506_11177164

MamaBovs · May 2014

I think my parents/in-laws would be offended if I suggested they attend a "grandparenting" class.

Jenrileysmom · May 2014

Major overkill. My mom would be offended...even if it was her first grandbaby.

poofwok · May 2014

Overkill for sure!

mamabear214 · May 2014

I didn't read the link but I think I'd want my mom/dad/MIL/FIL to know the current information regarding child care IF and only IF they were going to be my full time child care provider. Anything other than that and I think it would be considered overkill.

Jennicillin · May 2014

I know a few people who SWORE by them. They all had a super overbearing mother or MIL who was all up in their business and usually complained they didn't feel "included"

They would got to the class with the overbearing family member and made it a special day all about them (basically ego stroking to the max) and they said afterwards that it helped leaps and bounds with the way they were treated during the pregnancy, and after the birth. It made them feel included and helped get them on board with a lot of their decisions regarding delivery and baby care.

mamabear214 · May 2014

Jennicillin said:

I know a few people who SWORE by them. They all had a super overbearing mother or MIL who was all up in their business and usually complained they didn't feel "included"

They would got to the class with the overbearing family member and made it a special day all about them (basically ego stroking to the max) and they said afterwards that it helped leaps and bounds with the way they were treated during the pregnancy, and after the birth. It made them feel included and helped get them on board with a lot of their decisions regarding delivery and baby care.

I can see where that would probably be helpful for some people. Consider my original opinion changed. lol. For me and my family it would be over kill, they don't listen to anything I say no matter what information I relay to them.

kiley820 · May 2014

My mom is great with kids. She was a teacher for many years, owned a daycare and was then a private nanny. My MIL lives in FL and even if my mom didn't have that much experience with kids I don't think I'd ask/suggest for her to take a class. I think it's a little much. Anyway, not like I need to worry. My mom will most likely only be around the baby when I am there.

BeachM · May 2014

My mom has friends who took classes like this but it was more stuff like "this is a video baby monitor and here's how it works" or "let's explain LATCH, how it works, and now we'll practice using a modern car seat." My mom could be a "I don't know how you survived" drinking game, but she does what I tell her in terms of safety stuff. She will go to her grave not believing kids should stay rear facing as long as possible, but she still didn't turn the car seat in her car until I gave her the ok.

So, I think if you have a VERY resistant grandparent then these classes can be good since it's someone other than their kid telling them they're wrong. My mom's friends all found it very interesting, but I'm not sure I'd say it's necessary.

Valancyy · May 2014

My mom is a research nut...so she is always reading up on things about child safety. My MIL listens to what I tell her about current recommendations, she understands things change.

One thing my parents can't understand is why walkers are frowned upon now. They insist they were great with me and my brother and helped us walk sooner. I know the big concern with them is falling down stairs...which I always thought was crazy. But...my DH's brother actually fell down the stairs in his walker. I don't know how that happened.

Just think of all the things we're told to do now with our babies that will change by the time we have grandchildren!

chase16 · May 2014

My mom managed to care for/raise my brother and I just fine... I'm not worried about it. I only visit my parents a couple of times a year tho too, so I'm not planning on them being caregivers.. Just.. Doting grandparents

sarahg8r · May 2014

I read this article, too!

I think it's a bit overkill, but it would be nice if someone else would tell my mom all of this stuff. I know she thinks I'm being ridiculous sometimes and that all of these "new" rules are overly cautious. Although, I can agree with her on some of them.

I have a feeling, my mom is going to drive me crazy. Although, I definitely want and appreciate her feedback and advice, I also want her to understand that I may want to do things a different way.

My brother is actually 12 years younger than me, so a lot of the rule changes mentioned in the article were already in place when he was born.

Jenrileysmom · May 2014

I will still use a walker. I used one with DD and she loved it and started walking right around 11 months. I wouldn't keep it upstairs so no worries there.

shutaff · May 2014

We live far away from our families, so my parents and in-laws won't be keeping the baby very often, if at all. But my mom and I are very close and talk a lot, so as I said, I have mentioned a lot of these new recommendations to her. She's always surprised, but not resistant to doing things a new way. I shared this article with her with a comment that "she didn't need it, but this was the new trend," and she actually responded that she thought it would be cool to take, to hear about all of the baby things that have changed since her day. I noticed on the comments section of the article that a few grandmas responded that same way, but most were really resistant.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

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shevaCC · May 2014

I wish my ILs would be willing to take a grandparenting class. I feel like I'm forever repeating "know better, do better" to them along with my explicit instructions/expectations. I don't give a damn how they raised their kids -- I have my own ways of raising mine consistent with what my pedi and current safety teachings tell me.

Most all of the modern safety recommendations are done for a reason and *IF* anything bad were to happen to a child of mine after they ignored my request I would never forgive them. NEVER. Why risk it?

MandMLeona · May 2014

I'm sure there are families that this would be good for. I'm guessing mostly the ones where the parents are still micro-parenting their adult children. I've worked with some of these folks, so I can see them WANTING to go.

For me, I take advantage of our folks out dated info. If I think something is important and they are being resistant, I blame the experts for it. It allows everyone to save face.

Jolaine83 · May 2014

Anyone else think this would give their parents/ILs overconfidence in their ability to question parenting skills? lol I feel like the knowledge gap helps them from trying to overwhelm us with their opinions. At this point, if we disagree, they often just attribute it to parenting changing over time and tend to leave it at that.

sarahg8r · May 2014

Jenrileysmom said:

I will still use a walker. I used one with DD and she loved it and started walking right around 11 months. I wouldn't keep it upstairs so no worries there.

I won't use a walker, but only because I don't want LO smashing into all my furniture!

shutaff · May 2014

@Jolaine83, I hadn't thought about it from that perspective, but you're right! You wouldn't be allowed to back up your personal opinions with "that's just the way it's done now" anymore, haha.

Nuclearcupcake · May 2014

It's overkill IMO.

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