Parenting Evaluation?
By dismalgrin
@dismalgrin (2604)
United States
March 4, 2009 11:47pm CST
Hey all, I'm going to a parenting evaluation tomorrow. I think it's kind of funny that they are going to somehow evaluate my parenting skills through some sort of tests or something. This is going to be a 7 to 9 hour ordel so oviously I won't be on tomorrow... but I'm wondering, have any of you undergone a parenting evaluation? Can anyone tell me what it's like?
And here is part 2: Do you see a need for such a thing in our world? And if so, what do you think a parenting evaluation should consist of?
I will be sure to update after it's all over and let you know exactly what went on. Haha.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
5 Mar 09
I haven't ever had a parenting evaluation (a bit late now, LOL ... my youngest will be 25 soon). I did attend a training course for giving support to parents of disabled children, however.
I do think that training and evaluation is a good thing. For some, the prospect of the first child is exciting but a little bit scary. A training session and evaluation can give a little well-placed confidence. Unfortunately, there are too many who didn't have a particularly good childhood themselves and though they may have the best will in the world, bad parenting tends to be self-perpetuating. Training and evaluation programs will do something towards breaking that circle.
I think that, even if you are an excellent parent, there's a great deal you can learn from a course like this. There are many things that we do right without knowing and just learning that we are doing it right gives us a great confidence boost. There are many other little tips and tricks we can pick up, too. Courses and evaluations shouldn't be seen as tests that you can fail. Nobody is perfect or knows everything and there's always something good to be gained.
Good luck and enjoy your day!

@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
8 Mar 09
I see now why it was such an ordeal and why 'enjoy your day' wasn't, perhaps, the most appropriate of wishes! I do hope they decide in your favour. The past is, after all, the past and everyone can put it behind them if they want to badly enough.
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
5 Mar 09
I have never even heard of Parenting evaluations. I have heard of Parenting classes which you have to attend when you file for a divorce in certain states. I am sure you will do well...keep us posted.
@dismalgrin (2604)
• United States
7 Mar 09
Don't feel too bad that you have never heard of a Parenting evaluation before, my case manager hadn't even heard of them before. It took her 3 months to figure out what they were, and another 2 months to find someone that did them and would take me in. See above for an idea on how it went.



