There was a time when parenting was simply passed down like family recipes—observed, absorbed, and applied. Our mothers and grandmothers didn’t attend workshops to learn how to soothe a colicky baby or raise emotionally resilient children. They simply knew—or learnt on the job. But as the world around us evolves rapidly, one question grows louder in modern discourse: Should parenting be taught before we become parents?
Are parenting classes before childbirth truly necessary? Or are they just another modern-day trend—convenient, overhyped, and fleeting?
Let’s explore this idea together.
To begin with, times have certainly changed. Gone are the days when children played barefoot in fields and were content with a spinning top or skipping rope. Today’s children are digital natives, exposed to screens, stress, and a social environment vastly different from the one we knew. In this new landscape, traditional parenting techniques may fall short.
Parenting classes introduce new-age parents to emotionally intelligent parenting, positive discipline, gentle communication, and child psychology – concepts that were previously unheard of in conventional homes. Being equipped with knowledge before the baby arrives can help parents handle tantrums, anxieties, and behavioural patterns with wisdom instead of winging it.
Another key point is that many of us carry the emotional burdens of our upbringing – some knowingly, others unconsciously. Parenting classes create a safe space to identify and unlearn toxic patterns, replacing them with mindful, respectful approaches. Learning that yelling, shaming, or comparing children isn’t just ineffective but actually harmful is a revelation that can only come with awareness.
Moreover, becoming a parent is a seismic shift – emotionally, physically, and mentally. Parenting classes not only educate but also reassure. Whether it’s swaddling a newborn, managing sleepless nights, or understanding developmental milestones, knowledge reduces the fear of the unknown. For first-time parents especially, this preparedness can be a blessing.
On the other hand, there are those who believe parenting classes are part of a larger commercial industry feeding on fear and insecurity. There’s a course for everything – from baby sleep training to toddler tantrum management – and each comes with a hefty price tag.
Many argue that parenting, like love, cannot be taught in a classroom. It’s lived, felt, and grown into. Should we really need a certificate to raise our own children?
There’s also the belief that over-intellectualising parenting robs it of its organic, instinctual nature. Not every challenge can be solved by a module or a PowerPoint slide. The human race didn’t come this far by attending seminars. Parents raised children based on instinct, cultural practices, and community support.
Ironically, parenting classes sometimes raise the bar too high. Parents start obsessing over doing everything “right,” fearing they might scar their children for life with one wrong move. This pursuit of perfection can be mentally exhausting and counterproductive.
So then, must or fad?
Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between. Parenting classes are not a magic wand, nor are they a meaningless trend. Like any other tool, their value depends on how they are used. A good parenting class can empower, educate, and enlighten. A bad one may leave you feeling more confused than confident.
It isn’t about attending a class to earn a badge of honour – it’s about being willing to learn. Parenting is the one role where you never graduate. Every child is different, and every parent grows alongside them.
As an educationist, I often meet young parents overwhelmed with questions, worries, and self-doubt. When they enroll in parenting sessions – not just to learn how to parent, but to unlearn what’s no longer relevant – it warms my heart. That openness, that humility, is what makes all the difference.
Parenting is both art and science. It needs heart, patience, and yes, sometimes a little help. If a class can help a parent listen more, shout less, understand deeper, and love better – then why not?
Whether you choose to take a parenting class or not, the bottom line is this: being a good parent isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about being open to growth.
So, is a parenting class before having children a must? For some, yes. For others, maybe not. But fad or not, if it makes even one home more nurturing, one child more emotionally secure, and one parent more confident – then it’s worth every minute.
The Momma Clan 
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