Online Parenting Classes?

I have another friend who is going through an adversarial divorce with some tough, child custody battles. He is a great guy and a great parent. The wife is divorcing him and trying give him almost no rights to his 2 year-old daughter though he has done nothing to warrant this treatment. His lawyer is saying that his custody case would be strengthened if he could show that he is taking classes that prove his motivation to be a perfect parent. These do not have to be part of a program or even accredited. Here is what the lawyer suggested:

Child Psychology (not an academic class but more "hands on" for a parent)
Something that would deal with separation anxiety
Parenting Class
Child Health, especially allergies, his daughter has them
Any other class that would demonstrate what a good parent he already is

Free or cheap is preferred. Thanks for any info you may share.

 

Anyone have any insight on this?

 

I would suggest that if your friend wants to "impress" the courts, he should avoid online parenting classes and seek out local resources and attend in person.

 

He just needs a couple of certificates that can be presented in court to counteract the negative picture his ex's lawyer is trying to paint of him.

 

I would think that character witnesses would have more of an impact than an online parenting course in this situation. From an objective point of view, I would see absolutely no value in this.

 

His lawyer suggested it as additional evidence. The wife is trying to say that he is a bad father, but it's not true. Doesn't look like anyone has any ideas anyway.

 

I would suggest he see a family councelor and get some insight...and a letter to present to the court.

 

I just pulled a couple of links from the "Free Online Courses with Certificates - Michael Gates" thread. Not exactly on point but at least it's a start. I haven't looked through these sites so I can't vouch for them.

NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma

Linking Faith-Based Communities to Resources and Research | Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention for Church Leaders

National Children's Advocacy Center

 

A first aid course, and in this case especially you'd want it to specifically including first aid and CPR for children because protocols can be subtly but significantly different, on the ground, is short, inexpensive, offered in the community all over the place, and valuable for anyone.

 

Just in case anyone is wondering, this person is not me! My wife is still tolerating me...uh, most of the time.

 

A few free ones from BYU BYU Independent Study - Free Online Courses

 

WoW! That was an instant direct answer.

 

Why is he choosing online? My ex and I had to do these for our divorce and the local DCF/DHS/CPS/DSS (whatever its called locally where your friend is) offers the classes for $25. It's legal, usually court ordered in a divorce with kids (well, it was in Florida, anyway) and $25 is pretty cheap. Also, it's one 5 hour class and he finishes with the certificate.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I just wonder what one hopes to accomplish in a 5 hour single exposure that corrects years of 'whatever it was that needed correcting' behavior? Having 4 children that I homeschool affords me more "contact hours" than most parents, and I still have to constantly work on ways to be a good parent.

 

Your signature line cracked me up!

 

Its a "Divorce and its impact on children" class. Teaches you ways to help the kid(s) understand what's happening and deal with it. It's a really good, really helpful class. No class, no matter how long it is, will teach you how to be a good parent. But it will give you some good tools to use to help you be the best parent you can be.