When my kids were young, I remember thinking that parenting would eventually get easier. That once we moved past sleep deprivation and potty training, it would all feel more manageable. But here’s the thing — parenting doesn’t necessarily get easier, it just gets different. The issues change, the stakes grow higher and sometimes we feel more alone than ever.
That’s why I believe parenting education is essential for every parent — whether you’re raising a kindergartner or a high school senior. Today’s parents face a unique blend of pressures: rapidly shifting technology, academic competition, mental health concerns and a culture that often pushes for perfection. Add to that the fact that many families are juggling work, caregiving and household responsibilities with very little support, and it becomes clear: parents need tools, community and encouragement.
Why parenting education matters
Parenting education helps us shift from reactive to responsive. Instead of yelling, bribing or threatening consequences out of frustration, we can learn to approach conflict with calm and confidence. Just like we prepare for childbirth, career development or financial planning, parenting deserves the same kind of intentional investment.
Parenting classes, books and workshops provide us with strategies that are grounded in research — not just advice from the loudest voice on social media. And just as important, they offer connection. A space to say, “This is hard,” and hear someone say, “Me too.”
Parenting education and mental health
Parenting education can also play a role in supporting children’s mental health — a growing concern for many families. Maryland recently announced new grant awards totaling $96 million to support student mental health during the 2025-26 school year. One of the grant recipients, the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP), has served families in the region for more than four decades. PEP’s Executive Director Kathy Hedge puts it simply: “It’s easy to see how your parenting style and the home environment negatively or positively impacts a child’s mental health.” According to Hedge, when parents build stronger relationships with their kids, the benefits ripple out: “They feel more respected and empowered. They understand their role in the family. When these things start to happen, your kids will become more emotionally and mentally comfortable in your family.”
In a 2023–24 study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, PEP’s Family Resiliency Program showed a significant improvement in parent-child relationships, communication and child cooperation. After just seven weeks, parents reported a jump in satisfaction with their relationship with their children — from an average of 1.67 to 2.58 on a four-point scale. Parents also said they felt less isolated, more competent and more hopeful.
One parent’s experience
For Montgomery County father of four, David Elhadad, that impact was life changing. As a stay-at-home dad, he found himself stuck in a cycle of stress and anger. “I didn’t want my children to remember me this way — someone who was always angry and yelling,” he said. When he discovered there were local programs focused on parenting, he knew it was what he needed. “I was determined to build a positive and lasting connection with my children.”
Elhadad threw himself into the program wholeheartedly. “I engaged in the sessions with transparency and empathy,” he shared, “and I started sharing the tools with my wife.” Over time, the results were noticeable — he yelled less, his anger subsided and he began genuinely enjoying his children more. Parenting didn’t become perfect, but it became more peaceful — and more connected.
A few strategies to start using now
What makes parenting programs powerful is not just the tools — it’s the philosophy. Positive parenting focuses on mutual respect, encouragement and connection, rather than control. That doesn’t mean being permissive or letting kids “run the show.” It means guiding children in a way that helps them become capable, confident and kind.
Here are three simple strategies to begin building connection with your child today:
- Practice reflective listening: Instead of lecturing, take a guess at what your child might be feeling: “You’re really frustrated that your friend didn’t include you.” Reflective listening doesn’t mean you agree — it just means that you understand what your child is feeling.
- Use encouragement, not praise: Instead of “You’re so smart,” try “I can see how much effort you put into this project.” Encouragement focuses on process and builds intrinsic motivation.
- Be the calm in the chaos: One of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is our steadiness. As Dr. William Stixrud says, our job is to be a non-anxious presence. That doesn’t mean we never feel stressed — but that we learn to manage it so we can model healthy coping for our children.
Parenting is one of the hardest — and most important — roles we’ll ever have. And while our kids didn’t come with instruction manuals, that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to figure everything out alone. Seeking support, education and community isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a powerful step toward being the parent our children need.
Great reads for parents
- “Parenting with Courage and Uncommon Sense” by Linda Jessup and Emory Luce Baldwin: Tools that really work when it comes to raising children who grow up to be good people, not just good kids.
- “The Good News about Bad Behavior” by Katherine Reyolds Lewis: A model of discipline for a generation of children who are out of control.
- “The Self-Driven Child” by William Stixrud, Ph.D., and Ned Johnson: A science-backed approach to helping kids develop autonomy and resilience.
- “Middle School Matters” by Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC: A practical guide for navigating the tween years with empathy and purpose.
- “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee” by Wendy Mogel, Ph.D.: A blend of spiritual wisdom and psychology for building resilience in children.
Lynne Ticknor is the Director of Education at the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) in Kensington, Md. She is a certified parent educator and has been teaching parenting classes since 2006. For more information about classes, visit PEPparent.org.
Lynne Ticknor is the Director of Education at the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) in Kensington, Md. She is a certified parent educator and has been teaching parenting classes since 2006. For more information about classes, visit PEPparent.org.
