INTRODUCTION TO PARENTING SKILLS
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Discussion: Get the group's view of what it means to be a good parent
BACKGROUND FOR THE FACILITATOR
Parenting
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Women are born more nurturing and are better suited for child
rearing. Women assume primary
responsibility for child care, more
than men do.
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Some men assume primary
responsibility, e.g. when the
mother dies during childbirth.
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Female relatives or new partner can
assist with childcare.
Parenting Styles
Indicate the main areas of importance of the different
parenting styles on a flip chart
The Owners
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Parents tend to command, demand from and control their children.
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Parents often feel it is difficult for their children to learn to be more cooperative.
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They believe their children are naturally stubborn and resistant, and that parents must make them do things.
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Responding to them in this way often angers the child and brings about the very behaviour they (the parents) are trying to
discourage.
The Servants
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These parents tend to be too lenient; they take everything the child can "dish out".
Note to facilitator: Remember to discuss the importance of boundaries.
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They allow their children to rule over the family; they often believe that this behaviour is "cute".
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These children turn out to be selfish and abusive to other children.
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They frequently remain impulsive (act without thinking), unable to settle down and concentrate.
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They are usually unable to learn and do not accomplish much.
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They are often very anxious.
The Developers
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These parents think of children as individuals with rights and needs of their own. They provide necessary information and
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They view their child as full of potential and ready to unfold and blossom with parents' assistance.
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They help the child to gradually develop skills.
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They give the child increased freedom, independence and opportunity to function on their own as they demonstrate the ability
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Occasionally the parent may set limits when the child shows that he or she cannot handle the situation.
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These children grow in a way that makes it pleasurable for the rest of the family to live with.
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These children develop in a positive and satisfying way.
encouragement.
and confidence to do so.
Divide the group according to their parenting styles.
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Ask the group members to discuss their own parenting characteristics or similarities when referring to parenting styles.
HIV
Intervention Programme for the ENHANCEMENT OF CHILDREN'S RESILIENCE
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