Marriage and Family Life Unit 5: Exploring Parenting

Objective 1: Select reasons behind decisions about whether to be a parent. Pressure from family and friends Pass on the family name and lineage Belief that parenthood is a duty Possibility of genetic diseases being passed on to children Career considerations Economic considerations Emotional maturity Goals and expectations Age Personal health

Objective 2: Distinguish among the types of parenthood. Adoptive parent Foster parent Grandparent Guardian Nuclear Single parent Stepparent

Objective 3:. Interview parents about aspects of parenting.

Objective 4: Identify financial responsibilities parents face when raising children. Child care Clothing Education Equipment Food Health care Insurance coverage Recreation and extracurricular activities Shelter/housing

Objective 5: Calculate the financial cost of raising a child.

Objective 6: Identify potential rewards, demands and adjustments of parenting. Rewards Watching a child grow and develop Nurturing a child Teaching a child Learning about and experiencing childrearing Developing parenting skills Receiving love and affection from a child Being a companion to a child Creating a lifelong bond Watching the child develop skills and achieve

Objective 6: Identify potential rewards, demands and adjustments of parenting. Demands Making career adjustments Having greater financial obligations Having specific legal obligations Rearranging schedules Using time and energy Having less personal time Being challenged emotionally Having responsibility for authority and discipline Being a full-time role model Managing the impact on one’s personal relationships

Objective 6: Identify potential rewards, demands and adjustments of parenting. Adjustments Affecting personal relationships Making personal sacrifices Having less personal time Having increased expenses Meeting legal obligations Altering schedule to meet the needs of a baby

Objective 7: Identify basic characteristics of readiness for parenting. Ready and willing to make personal sacrifices Emotional maturity Physical maturity Financial security Social and emotional responsibility Achieved education goals Committed to becoming a parent Age

Objective 8: Identify criteria to consider when selecting a child care provider. Personal recommendations Type of provider Licensing Cost Location Rating Number and age of other children Educational opportunities

Objective 9: Distinguish among methods of contraception. Abstinence Condom Diaphragm Implant Intrauterine device (IUD) Injection Natural family planning method Oral contraceptive Patch Spermicide Sponge Tubal ligation Vaginal ring Vasectomy Withdrawal

Objective 10: Identify parenting skills needed for guiding healthy child development. Knowledge of developmental processes Patience Understanding Empathy Guidance and disciplinary ability Effective communication Intellectual and physical endurance Listening skills Responsibility Ability to teach and mentor Consistency

Objective 11: Explore personal attitudes toward and readiness for parenting.