Parent Readiness

Summary

Students will evaluate their personal readiness for parenting and identify the social, moral, emotional, physical, intellectual and financial considerations of parenting.

Materials

• When Are You Ready?
• Budgeting Assignment
• Carolyn Washburn Handout
• Costs of Raising a Child
• Money Saving Tips
• Parent Interviews
• Price is Right Teacher Information
• Reasons to Have a Baby
• State Competency
• Teacher Information - Cost of Raising a Child
• Vocabulary Worksheet

Instructional Procedures

Introduction
Play the Relay game. The class will be divided up into groups of four. They are told that they have just woke up and find that they only have 45 minutes to get to work, and they still have to get the baby ready for daycare! The first person in line rushes from the front of the room to the waiting doll on the opposite side of the room to change the baby's clothes, diaper the "baby", cover it with a blanket and then run it back to the next waiting runner. This "parent" next runs the baby back to the opposite side of the room and "feeds the baby" where they eat a food item that you feel they can safely eat in a race. (Perhaps jello jigglers or 3 baby carrots or some bread). They must have completely eaten it before being able to run back to the team. Once the food is eaten they head back to the team and the next "parent" takes the baby to the opposite side of the room and" burps the baby" for 1 full minute, then "rocks the baby" while humming a lullaby for one minute. They run back and the last "parent" quickly walks the baby to daycare, which is around the room 2 times. The first team to complete the relay correctly and safely wins a prize. Discuss how having a baby changes many of the things that you do, or, you could do the price is right game.

Content Outline, Activities and Teaching Strategies
(All options do not necessarily need to be taught. Select ones to cover standards and objectives and according to your district policies.)

Option 1: Discussion - Why People Have Children
Brainstorm with the class ideas on why people decide to have children. Then discuss which are good reasons and which are poor reasons. Refer to Reasons to Have a Baby Teacher Information (pdf).

Option 2: Discussion - Parent Readiness
Have a class discussion regarding when do they know they are ready to have children. Identify the areas of a person's life that they need to be ready. Use When are you Ready Teacher Information (pdf).

Option 3: Price is Right Game
Play the Price is Right Game. Have students calculate the cost of baby care products. Refer to the Price is Right Game Teacher Information (pdf). The winner is the person guessing the closest price without going over the actual price. The most important thing is that the students are made aware of the costs of baby supplies while having fun.

Option 4: Interview
Have student interview different types of parents. Then have them write a one paragraph summary per couple with the things shared with them (a total of 4 paragraphs). Have them write a summary consisting of what they have learned from these parents. Include common ideas or attitudes concerning parenting. When they have completed their writing assignment have them give a oral presentation. Refer to the Parent Interview Worksheet (pdf). Remember to abide by the state privacy law.

Option 5: Interview
Divide up the class into groups. Assign each group a topic regarding the costs of parenting. The group will have one week to find the costs of their assigned topic. They can use the internet, newspapers, ads, phone calls for information, or from finding information from individuals that currently have had to pay the cost of the assigned topic Class time will be given for them to combine their individual information into a report to be presented to the class. Each group will be expected to have a visual aid such as a poster or perhaps a power point. Each group will report to the class about the osts they found. Each individual's individual report as well as the group's report will be submitted to the teacher. Once the class has taken notes on the costs, the group will then meet again and come up with a family budget. Refer to the Budgeting Assignment (pdf) for more instructions and grading procedures.

Option 6: UEN Lesson Plan - Parent Readiness
UEN lesson by Doreen Robinson, 4-9-03.

Option 7: Textbook Assignment
Using the Textbook Strengthening the Family and Self have students read pages: 241-259. For an assignment they can answer the review questions. Costs of Parenting

Option 8: Costs of Parenting
Carolyn Washburn of USU Extension has a presentation of the cost of parenting. Carolyn has a power point and the handouts listed below for the cost of parenting.

• The Cost of Raising a Child Teacher Information (pdf)
• Teacher Information - Costs of Raising a Child (pdf)
• Guide to Shopping/Money Saving Tips (pdf)

Option 9: State Competency
Evaluate personal readiness for parenting. (social, emotional, physical, intellectual, etc.) Have student complete the ARFL State Competency Performance Objective #7 form (pdf) to complete this assignment.

Summary/Evaluation
Parenting is one of the most important responsibilities that we will ever have in our lives. It isn't something that you can stop doing if you find that it is too hard to do- it is a life time commitment. Another person's life depends on you. It is a huge responsibility, but one that will bring rewards along with the challenges as long as you are ready to take on that responsibility.