Comments on: Disorganized Thoughts about Parenting Workshops — What’s Important? http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/05/athomedads.html A dad's eye view of baby and toddler stuff Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:34:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mark http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/05/athomedads.html/comment-page-1#comment-1649 Mark Tue, 20 May 2008 20:23:11 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2008/05/disorganized-thoughts-about-parenting-workshops-%e2%80%94-whats-important.html#comment-1649 <p>Following from Jennifer's take, I think that connecting with other at home dads would be good since the experience, from all reports, can be even more isolating for guys doing it than for moms. If there aren't any at home dads in your immediate area, then having a chance to get together with other dads from around the country would be a good chance to not feel like you're in it all by yourself.</p> Following from Jennifer’s take, I think that connecting with other at home dads would be good since the experience, from all reports, can be even more isolating for guys doing it than for moms. If there aren’t any at home dads in your immediate area, then having a chance to get together with other dads from around the country would be a good chance to not feel like you’re in it all by yourself.

]]> By: HappyMom http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/05/athomedads.html/comment-page-1#comment-1648 HappyMom Tue, 20 May 2008 18:06:04 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2008/05/disorganized-thoughts-about-parenting-workshops-%e2%80%94-whats-important.html#comment-1648 <p>My biggest problem with conferences is having to travel out of town. Arranging babysitting, etc. is a huge pain, and the people I meet are not local. I can't imagine traveling to a parenting conference.</p> <p>However, I love parenting *classes* for several reasons.<br /> - Although I try very hard, I am not the perfect parent. Getting some new points of view on how to handle "situations" is great<br /> - I like to meet other parents and hear their stories<br /> - Meeting once a week for several weeks gives me a chance to practice the material and come back with questions.</p> <p>My own personal favorite parenting class is Positive Discipline, from the book by Jane Nelson. It is a lot of work to be more empathetic (and still firm). With practice and mess-ups, I'm getting better.</p> <p>I also attended a class on talking to kids about sex. There's an area that fills me with dread! I'm not ready yet... </p> <p>You might consider a Dad's weekly or monthly support or play group. I have never heard of this, and I think Dads are missing out. Play groups especially are great - your kid has fun and practices social skills, and it gives the parent a regularly scheduled activity. I think Dads face some unique issues, and it would be great to have other Dads to talk with. </p> My biggest problem with conferences is having to travel out of town. Arranging babysitting, etc. is a huge pain, and the people I meet are not local. I can’t imagine traveling to a parenting conference.

However, I love parenting *classes* for several reasons.
- Although I try very hard, I am not the perfect parent. Getting some new points of view on how to handle “situations” is great
- I like to meet other parents and hear their stories
- Meeting once a week for several weeks gives me a chance to practice the material and come back with questions.

My own personal favorite parenting class is Positive Discipline, from the book by Jane Nelson. It is a lot of work to be more empathetic (and still firm). With practice and mess-ups, I’m getting better.

I also attended a class on talking to kids about sex. There’s an area that fills me with dread! I’m not ready yet…

You might consider a Dad’s weekly or monthly support or play group. I have never heard of this, and I think Dads are missing out. Play groups especially are great – your kid has fun and practices social skills, and it gives the parent a regularly scheduled activity. I think Dads face some unique issues, and it would be great to have other Dads to talk with.

]]> By: AJ http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/05/athomedads.html/comment-page-1#comment-1647 AJ Tue, 20 May 2008 16:35:55 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2008/05/disorganized-thoughts-about-parenting-workshops-%e2%80%94-whats-important.html#comment-1647 <p>MBR, I think you're talking less a personal life coach and more a good friend.</p> <p>Jennifer, good point. The dynamic changes if you're attending a conference to meet people you've known online.</p> <p>So... everyone has parenting wrapped up. No workshops you'd want to attend?</p> MBR, I think you’re talking less a personal life coach and more a good friend.

Jennifer, good point. The dynamic changes if you’re attending a conference to meet people you’ve known online.

So… everyone has parenting wrapped up. No workshops you’d want to attend?

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/05/athomedads.html/comment-page-1#comment-1646 Jennifer Tue, 20 May 2008 15:22:37 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2008/05/disorganized-thoughts-about-parenting-workshops-%e2%80%94-whats-important.html#comment-1646 <p>Let's face it, a conference is really just a way for a bunch of people in the same general field to get together, network, and have a good time. In the past 3 years, every conference I have attended, I went to zero workshops. Why do Igo then? A great opportunity to network and meet up with people that I only get to see these few times a year (and talk with via email).</p> <p>So, the real questions is: is the money you would spend going to this event worth the fun that is promised in return?</p> Let’s face it, a conference is really just a way for a bunch of people in the same general field to get together, network, and have a good time. In the past 3 years, every conference I have attended, I went to zero workshops. Why do Igo then? A great opportunity to network and meet up with people that I only get to see these few times a year (and talk with via email).

So, the real questions is: is the money you would spend going to this event worth the fun that is promised in return?

]]> By: My Boaz's Ruth http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2008/05/athomedads.html/comment-page-1#comment-1645 My Boaz's Ruth Tue, 20 May 2008 14:24:19 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2008/05/disorganized-thoughts-about-parenting-workshops-%e2%80%94-whats-important.html#comment-1645 <p>Hrms... Seems to me that for the sort of issue you mention, an in-person mentor would be better than a conference. Someone you can call at 11pm at night to talk about the issue of the day and get in-the-minute advice. </p> Hrms… Seems to me that for the sort of issue you mention, an in-person mentor would be better than a conference. Someone you can call at 11pm at night to talk about the issue of the day and get in-the-minute advice.

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