Parents Under Construction

Building a Foundation for Success

Teaching Children Today the Parenting Skills They Will Need in the Future

It is no secret that law schools, medical schools, MBA programs, universities, and colleges of every sort are becoming increasingly more competitive in both their admissions and their academics. Internships are in similarly high demand, as it seems many students are striving to get “hands on” experience before entering the unknown of the “real world.” But even the finest Ivy League education will leave the majority of today’s students frighteningly unprepared for the most enduring, influential, and significant profession they will ever have – parenting.

Before diving into parenthood, remarkably few people receive even a day of training outside of the examples set in their childhood home and in the media. Unless these surroundings are nurturing and provide strong values and boundaries, how can one be expected to learn healthy parenting? Because good parenting stems from solid self-esteem, familiarity with child development, and knowledge of positive discipline techniques, the foundation for such learning should begin many years prior to becoming a parent. Armed with information, skills, and positive experiences, the parents of tomorrow have a much greater chance of parenting their children in mentally healthy ways.

Parents Under Construction was created by ChildBuilders to enhance awareness of how parenting practices influence children’s mental health; essentially the program helps students today learn the parenting skills they will need in the future. Parents Under Construction increases the social and emotional competence of children and prevents physical abuse, emotional abuse, and mental health challenges now and in future generations.

Through group interaction, discussion, and role play, Parents Under Construction helps students learn about child development, the realities of raising children, parenting myths, positive discipline techniques, communication skills, non-violent conflict resolution techniques, and the relationship between self-esteem and mental health.

Role play and video-based discussions help students learn techniques such as reflective listening, verbal redirection, and giving clear directions. These practical skills enhance students’ ability to communicate effectively now as well as in the future.

Students are frequently reminded that the purpose of the program is to expand their knowledge of a variety of parenting methods, an opportunity most of their own parents were never given prior to assuming this incredibly important role. Dialogue with parents about the curriculum is encouraged, for each student’s effectiveness as a future parent will be enhanced by combining the knowledge gained in class with his/her own family’s morals, customs, values, and traditions. Postponement of parenthood is stressed, as students learn about the responsibilities and demands of raising children.

Parents Under Construction is an award-winning, evidence-based curriculum. However, perhaps the true success of the program can best be measured by the words of the students receiving it. As one put it, “Keep doing this program – it will make a difference in the future … our future.

Please email us or complete the Program Interest Form today to start a conversation about bringing Parents Under Construction to your school or organization!