Parenting, what are we talking about?

What is Parenting

Parenting, what are we talking about?

The evolution of the family has led to a diversification of family situations and has contributed to the conception of new words: Single-parenthood, Step-parenthood, and Single-parenthood, …. Parenthood makes it possible to tackle complex situations and to change representations of the family (foster family, adoption, blended family, homo parenthood, etc.). The support and accompaniment of parents continue to develop.

Thinking about parenting

In 1998, a group led by Didier Houzel (Child psychiatrist) analyzes the concept of Parenthood around three dimensions:

The practice of Parenthood which refers to parenting skills

The experience of Parenthood nourishes the subjective dimension

The exercise of Parenthood which concerns the rights and duties attached to the parental function

A definition of parenting from the National Parenting Support Committee

“Parenthood refers to all the ways of being and living the fact of being a parent. It is a process that combines the different dimensions of the parental function, material, psychological, moral, cultural, and social. It qualifies the bond between an adult and a child, regardless of the family structure of which it is part, to ensure the care, development, and education of the child. This adult/child relationship presupposes a set of functions, rights, and obligations (moral, material, legal, educational, cultural) exercised in the best interests of the child by a link provided for by law (authority parental). It is part of the social and educational environment in which the family and the child live”.

Parenting support

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PARENTING SUPPORT

Recognition of the parent as the first educator of the child;

Universalism: parenting support systems and actions are aimed at all parents;

Openness to the diversity of modes of organization and family configurations, cultures, and socio-economic characteristics, with respect for the rights of the child and within the framework of the law;

Consideration of the principle of gender equality in the exercise of parenthood;

Respect for the places, statutes, and roles of each: parents, professionals, and volunteers.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The schemes are aimed above all at parents;

The actions explicitly aim to improve the well-being of the child and/or the parents;

The programs seek to act on “parenting skills”.

EXPECTED EFFECTS ON PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Improved well-being of the child and/or parents;

Reassurance of parents in their family and social environment, reinforcement of parents' confidence in their parenting skills;

Better communication between parents and children.

A PARTICIPATORY AND NON-INTERVENTIONIST APPROACH

A participatory approach: it is not a question of "having a project in place of the parents" but of organizing meetings, providing frameworks (both flexible and structuring) allowing parents to develop their points of educational benchmarks, and finally supporting parental initiatives;

Non-interventionist, based on voluntary participation on the part of the parents or which systematically seeks the agreement or the adhesion of the parents;

Valorization of parental skills;

No therapeutic aim (it is not about parental guidance);

The speakers are not in the position of experts but of welcoming, neutral third parties, and facilitators in the exchanges.

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HOW TO BECOME A PARENT.