If there’s one thing guaranteed to make me really really cross it’s the idea that the Government – or the Cabinet of Millionaires – know what ordinary people need.
That includes ‘parenting classes’ for new parents.
Generations of parents have managed without ‘parenting classes’, because when it comes down to it, good parenting is as instinctive as breathing. There is plenty of information and support available to new parents who want it.
It is utterly ludicrous to suggest that ‘bad parenting’ was responsible for last summer’s riots.
If I think of all the parents I know right now who are struggling to make ends meet it’s fairly obvious that what new parents need isn’t lessons on how to be good parents. It’s more money in their pockets. More support for single parents. Sure Start Centres. The security of knowing that they can get a doctor’s appointment if their child needs one.
What they don’t need is a nanny state.
[…] Mr Cameron, what parents need is more money in their pockets (Liz Jarvis at The Mum Blog says parents need more money) […]
I think there will be families who will benefit hugely from parenting classes and I have been involved with some who either never realised the support was there it who had to be convinced it was a good idea. Obviously more parents who give two hoots will sign up but I don’t think that’s a bad thing either. I care about my kids but there are things I could learn and i”m always open to advice. But I do agree we need more money etc first!
A government that no one really voted for …
Sorry for hogging your comments, Liz, but Margot just reminded me of a discussion we had on our local radio station recently concerning this topic. Someone, quite rightly imo, pointed out that the only parents who would be willing to take these classes would be the ones who don’t really need parenting classes in the first place, simply because they “care” considerably about their children’s welfare. Which in itself, completely defeats the object of what the government are setting out to achieve. And if the government don’t already realise this will be the case, then we as a nation, are being governed by a group of out-of-touch buffoons. (Which I think we have all learned anyway!)
I agree! What sort of parents are going to join these classes? Not the ones who wilfully let their children run wild. For most of us what we need is enough money to be able to support or children comfortably and not to have to work 12 hour days to the detriment of time spent helping our children to find their place in the world.
You are right. We want a decent wage for a hard days work, and access to support. Don’t want lessons, but sometimes advice is helpful- which is where sure start centres are great. Everyone needs space to develop their own parenting style, not be told how to do it!
You’ve hit the nail on the head. It is impossible for a bunch of millionaires who have NEVER had to think about how much money they have, have been privately educated in the country’s top establishments, mix with and are associated only with other millionaires, billionaires and extremely high profile members of society, to actually understand how people live on council estates, low cost housing estates, benefits, minimum wages and poorly educated. Absolutely impossible. Our government are living (quite happily) on another planet.
CJ x
P.s. sorry ’bout the long sentence there!