Anyone teach parenting-type classes?

[RockStarMom]

I think this is the best forum for this...


I'm about to start teaching childbirth classes, but I'm also interested in teaching some sort of intro to AP-type parenting class. Has anyone else had experience with creating some sort of parenting class, and if so, in what way were you qualified? The only thing that makes me qualified is the CBE training and being an AP parent, and I'm wondering if that's enough.

[christyc]

I'm not offering such courses, but maybe facilitating an API chapter might be a path to promoting AP?

[courtenay_e]

I actually incorporate that kind of info into my CBE course, as I really have seen so many doula clients just be totally lost when they actually HAVE the baby! I have a "bringing baby home" night, when we talk about co-sleeping, breastfeeding, baby wearing, listening to the baby's needs, etc, first bath (I encourage bathing WITH mama)... They actually usually ask me questions all through the course...but I try not to digress toooo much, so often we'll end up doing the last class (potluck) as an extended version of the bringing baby home class...a hot topic at that point is often cloth diapers...once they hear that they're not all pins and rubber pants, many couples are interested in seeing them and finding out how to use and care for them...and that goes into stuff like diaper rash care, finding a pediatrician, and on and on. I have often thought about charging extra for the entire thing to be a separate class...but then again, I HAVE them there...and for the "parenting" class they may choose the hospital one that's available that all their friends are taking. So, I'd rather reach them while I have them, if you know what I mean!

[JunipersMom]

Instead of a 'class' ~ you could just do a natural parenting group. We have a great one here. We meet once a month and discuss natural parenting with a different topic each month. We also have a lending library of books, baby carriers etc... so those that are interested can try things before they buy them and learn how to use them at the group. We have different speakers on some of the topics (nutrition, homebirths, vaccinations etc) but the rest of the time we just get together with our kids and talk about what works for us, what we've heard about, and ask lots of questions.

[storychick]

I do! I started running a postpartum support class after I did my postpartum doula training, at a local birth center. They were in need, knew me from my being a client, and when I volunteered they took me on (they don't pay me, but offer me space and use of the copier, and send a flier to their clients after their births). I had educator experience of sorts from being a librarian in my pre-kid life, in addition to my doula training.

Since then, I have also been hired by a local community college to teach a parent education/preschool class at a co-op preschool (where I took my older kids) as well as an online parent education class for them. I suspect that my being hired had as much to do with the people on the hiring committee knowing me and that my self-education was up to the task (because they knew me as a fellow parent, and I had substitute taught at the school as well) as any credentials I had, but my master's level library degree definitely didn't hurt.

I love doing the teaching -- it combines my information providing skills with my desire to work using all the great knowledge I've gained since being a parent, as well as supporting my wonderful midwives and the work they do, and giving back to the universe for the great postpartum group I went to after I had my first... Its very rewarding. I've been doing it long enough now to have had a few repeat clients and that is wonderful.