Parenting Classes

[Schmonday]

NC as I feel a bit of a wally...

My DP has 2 children - DSD11 and DSS6. I get on with them fabulously but probably as I stay out of all discipline. My DP is currently struggling with their behaviour which frequently results in the DSC being violent to each other and has asked me if I would be prepared to get involved and back him up if he is struggling.

I do not have children, though I have been really involved with my cousins kids when she died so I have dealt with children before extrmemely damaged ones though

I've suggested we both attend a Parenting class so we are both working from the same page. His ex doesn't believe in discipline and allows the DC to sort their own battles even if it ends up in bloodshed so co-parenting isn't working and he has to parallel parent.

So the question is would I be received badly as a SP at a Parenting class?

I say go for it (i’m step mum without kids and I may well get flamed in here).....

It’s important that you and your OH are working together (kids very easily manipulate parents and situations if allowed to do so). You have nothing to loose.

My OH takes care of discipline when the children are with us but we’ve agreed that if the kids are in my care alone then I can discipline. You need to be seen by the children as on the same page and working together.

Try triple p parenting course. It gave me a lot of useful advice. I did it through school and it was 6 weeks. I found it really eye opening.

It's called the positive parenting programme.

Yes go for it. Violence between the kids sounds awful, ask their advice and I’d even phone nspcc I would not want to be a younger child being beaten up by older ones while the parents did nothing.

I think it would be a really responsible, positive thing for you to do. It shows that you care for these children and want to do your best by them