9-29-2011 - Dad benefits from Children First parenting class

 

Tim Wueller, center, hangs out with his two boys, Conner, 7, left, and Cayden, 4, right. Wueller successfully completed the Children First Center’s Redirecting Children’s Behavior class earlier this year. Wueller said he came away from the class with a new perspective on how to interact with his two children.

AUBURN — Sitting in a room with other parents, Tim Wueller wondered what to expect from the Children First Center’s Redirecting Children’s Behavior class. What he found, Wueller said, was a better perspective on how to interact with his two children, Connor, 7, and Cayden, 4.

Wueller, of Auburn, said he sought out the classes online by doing a simple search for parenting classes in DeKalb County. At the time, Wueller and his ex-wife were going through a divorce, and with custody being a prime issue, Wueller said, he was repeatedly asked whether he had ever taken a parenting class. Since he hadn’t, he began to explore.

“I figured it doesn’t hurt to add tools to your parenting toolbox,” Wueller said.

After the five-week course, which was interactive and never boring, Wueller said he has a better understanding of why his kids do the things they do.

For example, before the classes, Wueller said, his son would resist going to bed at night. Cayden would repeatedly come out of his room to avoidsleeping. Sometimes the situation would end frustratingly for both of them, he said.

After learning a few techniques for dealing with certain behaviors, Wueller now uses a different tactic. Instead of talking to Cayden when he comes out, Wueller kindly reminds his son that there will be no discussion and that he must return to bed.

“After a few times, I say ‘Cayden, I am not talking to you right now, you are going back to bed,’” Wueller said. “I keep things even-keel and no one gets upset.”

Another beneficial aspect of the course, Wueller said, is the way the facilitators teach about various parenting styles. From being an a strict authoritarian to being too permissive, parents learn how their own parenting style impacts their children behavior.

“It is enlightening to learn from other parents’ experiences for those who don’t know about different parenting styles,” Wueller said. “They teach that every parent should have a mix of styles they use.”

Wueller understands parenting isn’t an easy job, in fact, he said it is the biggest job an adult will ever have. And, just as people work to keep their job skills up-to-date, Wueller said parents should be open and willing to the idea of keeping their parenting skills sharpened.

What better way to hone those skills than with an engaging course filled with role-playing, storytelling and first-hand examples, Wueller said.

“I know this course was beneficial to us. I think it has helped me (as a parent),” Wueller said. “I would take more classes.”

Children First Center, 1752 Wesley Rd., will host Redirecting Children’s Behavior classes beginning Oct. 4 from 6-9 p.m. The five-session class continues each Tuesday through Nov. 1.

Some topics included in the course are preventing sibling and peer rivalry, teaching children respect and responsibility, understanding why a child misbehaves, holding children accountable for their actions, open communication among family members and more.

The cost to participate is $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes tuition and class materials.  For more information, interested parents can contact Children First Center at 925-3865 or (800) 824-2698.