Unlike DVRs, children don’t come with instructions. Yet parenting is the most important job we do as adults. In fact, the mental and emotional well-being of families depends upon effective parenting. The stakes are high.

The quality of the relationship between a parent and child has life-long consequences for children. Ineffective parenting leads to poor behavior control in children, destructive and violent behavior, compromised capacity to learn and poor academic performance. In contrast, effective parenting helps a child develop self-confidence, enjoy better mental health, become motivated to learn, and learn ways to resolve conflict without violence. Children raised by effective parents are more likely to be successful in the workplace and in relationships. And they are far more likely to be better parents themselves.

Research shows that ineffective parenting and abusive behavior by adults can even affect the way their child’s brain develops.

If we can enable parents to develop consistently secure, stable and compassionate relationships with their children, society as a whole will benefit. Parenting education is an important tool to accomplish this goal.