In anticipation of having a new baby, many of us read a variety of books and how-to manuals, talk to pediatricians and get advice from family members about how to take care of a newborn and raise them through the toddler years. Then time seems to take over, the days fly by and we stop consulting bestselling books and just go with the parenting style that seems natural for us, or the one that is most popular among our friends. It’s interesting that the most challenging years in raising a child can be the teen years, but at this point in our parenting career, very few of us reach outside the home for advice.

The teen years have proven to be the most difficult for many families to get through. It’s actually a really good time for parents to reinforce the skills they’ve developed by taking parenting classes. Most teenagers lack the foresight to understand how their behavior today will affect them in the long run. For example, learning good study habits and organization now will help them in all future jobs, or the friends they surround themselves with now can determine what level of college education they are ready for when the time comes. It’s a time when our kids try to start to separate from us and become more independent and can be very frustrating.  Therefore, the best thing we can do as parents is to educate ourselves about the stages of development and learn how keep an open line of communication with our young adults.

You might argue that taking a parenting class is just out of the question while trying to juggle a busy life schedule with work and a family. However, online parenting classes take away the stress of having to drive to a classroom at a predetermined time. Parents can take online classes from the convenient and relaxed environment of their own home, from their own personal computer, at any time of the day or night. The virtual classroom requires no additional software or paperwork. In fact, nothing needs to be downloaded or printed out. The information is all available to you on the computer screen immediately upon registration.

If you have a teenager and are looking for additional guidance on how to support them through bullying, peer pressure and how to get them to open up to you, then enrolling in a parenting class online will strengthen your skills. A six hour online parenting class reinforces successful parenting practices like assertive communication, stress management and anger and conflict resolution. Clients learn what the biggest parenting mistakes are, and how important it is for parents to model the behavior they want their children to emulate.

Online classes are available to take immediately upon enrollment. They can be taken from any computer with Internet access while the kids are in school, or at night after everyone is in bed. They are low in cost, and both parents can sit together to take the class at the same time. An online course will help you to refine your skills even after years of parenting and will help to create a stable, communicative environment for your kids to thrive in at all stages of their development.

The term “stranger danger” has sadly come to the forefront of the news again as a 10-year old Colorado girl who was missing for 1 week, was recently found dead. Jessica was last seen leaving home for her short walk to school. Colorado police are now looking for a “predator at large” in the community.

We may never find out the complete story of what happened, or if Jessica had any chance to get away from this abductor. All we can do as parents is to talk to our kids about strangers and give them tips on how to handle a situation if a stranger approaches them.

1) Tell your children that abductions are statistically unlikely, but they always need to be prepared. We don’t want to instill fear, but they need to always be aware of their surroundings.

2) Give your children the permission to be impolite. We spend our lives trying to impart good manners, but if they feel threatened, they may need to kick, bite or scream to get out of the situation.

3) Reiterate common tips like don’t talk to strangers, always stay in a group, always tell your parents where you are going and who with, and go over scenarios about when it is appropriate to call 911 from their cell phone.

4) Make sure that all cell phones have emergency numbers programmed in them. These are numbers in addition to 911, like dad’s work number, grandma’s home phone, etc. that can be dialed if the child is feeling too nervous to remember the number.

5) Explain to them that responsible adults will never ask kids they don’t know for assistance. They should never go along with a stranger who does. Give them examples like “what if someone asks you to help them with something inside their house?” or “what if someone asks them to help them find their puppy?”

6) Explain to them that a stranger will never come up to the child to give them news that a parent is in danger and the child needs to come with them. This is a ploy they should be aware of.

7) Tell them to trust their instincts. If they are in a situation that is scary or makes them nervous, leave as quickly as possible and get to a public area.

8) If a stranger does try to grab you, yell as loud as you can and run away. Don’t just yell “help”, but yell “this is not my daddy!” or “this is not my mommy!” so people know that you aren’t just throwing a temper tantrum and will try to help.

9) Teach children whom to turn to if they feel in danger. Some examples include a security guard at a mall, a policeman in uniform, or a store clerk.

10) Don’t assume your teenager is old enough to know what to do. Reiterate the rules and scenarios with them as well.

Protecting our children is a huge part of parenting. For individuals interested in learning more parenting tips and skills, take online parenting classes from the convenience of your own Internet based computer at home. Classes are available from 4 – 16 hours in length depending on the depth you are looking for. Look for a high quality course that is designed by a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Classes include skills in how to successfully talk to your kids, stress management, rewards and discipline and about different stages of development. Completing a class will leave you feeling a stronger, more confident parent!

Marriages are meant to last a lifetime but at times this target becomes an impossible feat to achieve because of various issues that arise over the years. When a marriage falls apart, divorce is generally inevitable. Unfortunately, in the event of a divorce, kids are always the worst hit and have to live with the fact that their parents are separated. Often the children will feel like it is somehow their fault and will be left with feelings of anxiety and fear about what the future holds. Often times the parents are at a point in their relationship in which they little or very poor communication, are angry with each other and may not be thinking clearly. Fortunately, courts take this into consideration and throughout the divorce process the welfare of the kids is factored in and addressed.

Undeniably, going through a divorce can present the most difficult, challenging and trying times in a person’s life. It ranks up there with death and moving as the most stressful events a person can undergo. During this time, your interests might have to be shelved but the best interest of the kids should remain at heart. The court realizes that during this time of high-conflict, the adults involved need guidance to help them get navigate all the rules and regulations of the court system as well as focus on what is best for the kids. Therefore, the legal system often mandates that a divorcing or separating couple take a 10 hour parenting class that covers all of this information. Classes are available in traditional classrooms, but taking most parents will find it more beneficial to take them online from their home computer. Here is why:

Convenience: Taking parenting lessons from a classroom means that you have to work with a fixed timetable. Such a schedule may not be convenient because you don’t want to miss work, or don’t want to pay for a babysitter for the kids. On the other hand, taking the classes online gives you the freedom to choose when to take the lessons. You can take them 24/7, when the kids are busy or are asleep and when you are feeling up to it.

Quality Information and Education: It can be a huge relief to learn what to expect from your child’s behavior, how to work with your ex-spouse more effectively and to understand that your feelings are valid during this stressful time. You will also learn how to plan a co-parenting schedule for the kids and how to maintain cohesive parenting styles in each household.

Cost-effective: Online parenting lessons are often much cheaper than classroom lessons. Besides the usual fee per module, you do not have to spend on other expenses such as babysitting and transportation charges that are incurred when taking the parenting lessons from a classroom.

Certificate of completion is issued: Most jurisdictions will accept online courses for all of the above reasons. However, make sure to get prior approval before taking the class. The divorce court will need a record of your parenting classes. Online classes issue a certificate of completion which can be used in court to show that you fully attended the lessons.

Clearly, these reasons explain why you and your ex-partner should take online cases, not only for the sake of court orders, but also for the best interest of kids. Such classes might even move you closer to each other. You never know!

What is your style of parenting? Do you have a consistent strategy on how you are raising the kids? Did you know that there are different categories of parenting styles? The Authoritative style is one that has been in the news lately as a positive and successful approach to bringing up children. Basically, Authoritative parenting is a style which is often referred to as “democratic”. Authoritative parents try to have empathy and understand how their children are feeling. They tend to listen to their children, show warmth and nurturing, allow their children to have and express their own opinions and encourage independence and self-confidence. However, it’s not all one-sided. Parents who utilize this form of parenting place boundaries and have certain expectations that the kids must follow. There are consistent consequences that are discussed and in place for bad behavior.

Both new and seasoned parents can learn new skills and techniques by taking a parenting course online. Classes range in length from 4 – 10 hours, but are taken at home from any Internet based computer at your own convenience. Online classes are similar to what you find in a traditional classroom in that the material is current and the programs are designed by a licensed and practicing family therapist. However, you don’t have to drive anywhere or meet anyone else’s time structure. You can take them from your laptop at your kitchen table while the kids are napping or are at school. Classes address topics like what to expect during the different stages of development, how to discipline and how to effectively communicate with your kids. The different types of parenting styles are also discussed.

In this vain, recent research has found that mothers who use this style of authoritative parenting that balances warmth and communication with strictness and supervision not only positively influence the behavior of their own teenagers, but of their friends as well. Specifically, according to the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, researchers found that friends of teens growing up with this parenting style were 40% less likely to get drunk, 38% less likely to binge drink and 43% less likely to smoke marijuana compared with friends of teens whose mothers were less strict.

Furthermore, the Journal of Early Adolescence notes that according to a study in which 52% of the fathers practiced Authoritative parenting, their children learned the skill of persistence. Children generally learn persistence from their fathers, a skill that can lead to better academic performance and a reduced risk of criminal behavior.

Other parenting styles also discussed in online parenting classes are Authoritarian, Indulgent and Neglectful along with a host of others. Taking a parenting class will help you to learn about and gain confidence in which style is best for your family. Classes can be taken independently or with a spouse. They are also available for families going through divorce that need to fulfill a court mandate. Topics such as co-parenting techniques and teamwork are covered in online co-parenting classes. Whether you are interested in skills to start a new family, regaining balance amongst a household of kids, or are going through a difficult divorce, online parenting classes are an excellent way to educate yourself, improve family dynamics and fulfill court mandates.

Parents are the sculptors of their child. Just as the potter can mold the soft clay with his hands into whatever shape he desires, similarly parents can lay the foundation of healthy growth and development of their child through good parenting approaches. At times parents may find it frustrating to raise children even though they love their kids very much. Professional guidance in raising children can assist you in raising your loved one. It is truly said, "Love is instinctual but the skills are not". Parenting classes give new parents an outline of where to begin, what to expect and other parenting skills.

There are many reasons why new parents should consider taking parenting classes. Taking a 4 hour parenting class online offer you several benefits, such as:

Makes parenting easy-
A parenting class helps a parent to have a better understanding of his role. Find a high quality class online that is designed by a licensed and practicing family therapist. His years of expertise in the field teach new parents tips, techniques and ideas that will help you in taking care of your child.

Builds confidence-
The best thing about taking parenting classes is the amount of confidence it instills in you. A newborn baby brings new challenges that many parents are not prepared or equipped to handle. Taking an online parenting class can remove the nervousness and help you feel more confident in your abilities as a parent. They are a great way to lessen anxiety and build confidence.

Polish your skills and Learn new techniques-
Good parenting requires love and care, patience and understanding. These classes teach the methods of discipline, responsibility and effective communication with your children. It helps you deal with stress, anger and your own personal problems, so that you can focus better in nurturing your child. Parenting classes keep you updated with the latest parental skills.

Better handling of teen issues-
Let us agree, dealing with the trials and tribulations of the teen years is difficult. With the help of parental classes, you will be able to learn how to guide your middle and high school aged children through peer pressure and help them in their teen years.

Fulfill court orders-
In some cases, parenting classes are taken to fulfill the court's mandate. In cases like adoption, on-going divorce, custody battle, or handling children following anger or abuse, the judge may order a couple to undergo a series of parenting classes. These classes benefit the best interests of the children involved.

Benefits of Online Classes-
In today's fast paced lifestyle when parents are juggling time between office and family, many parents find it difficult to take out regular time to attend parental classes. The good news is that there are online parental classes that teach about parenting a newborn, all the way through their teenage years. Online parenting classes give you the convenience of learning skills and techniques in the privacy of your home. Instead of following regular classroom schedules, you take the class on your own timeframe. Another major benefit of online parent classes is they are low in cost and teach you expert techniques and skills without straining your family financially. Being a parent is the most fulfilling experience. Using online parenting classes can help it make it a rewarding experience as well.