Q. Why did you decide to become an online
leader?
A. I have a strong personal belief in
the principles that underlie the Active Parenting Today
program. They have been tremendously beneficial to me personally,
to my family and to those who I have either counseled or seen
in parent education groups. I saw the online groups as a way
of dramatically increasing the number of people we can reach
with this important information.
Q. What is the best part of leading an online
class?
A. The most gratifying point in a class
for me is the first time one member reaches out through the class
bulletin board or chat and is encouraging to another one. Encouragement
is one of the most important principles we teach, and to see
someone from one part of the country extend themselves to a stranger
in another part is awesome. This is such a positive use of the
much-maligned Internet.
Q. What has been the response of parents
who have participated in your classes?
A. Parents really like the individual
attention I am able to give them through e-mails written just
to them, and through the use of a special part of the online
bulletin board we have set up for all of us in the group to respond
to each others special concerns.
Just as in face-to-face groups, parents have to feel that
the leader really cares about them and their family. It seems
a very strange thing even to me that this caring can be conveyed
over the Internet. Parents really respond to it and that gives
me a good feeling as a leader, too.
My favorite responses are in the category of, this stuff really
works. It is one thing to hear face-to-face group members say
this, but is quite another when you hear it from someone halfway
across the country. It is at that point that I say to myself
that yes, this online stuff/approach really works. Parents really
get it, even when it is coming through a computer.
Q. What are the benefits to parents
of online parenting education?
A. I think the biggest benefit is the
flexibility allowed by the class. Busy parents can log on at
any time, 24 hours a day. They don't have to be in a certain
meeting place at a certain time. They dont have to find a sitter
or have one parent stay home with the children while the other
one takes the class. In addition, these classes are sometimes
the only option for people living in rural areas. They are also
a wonderful option for shy or discouraged parents who have a
hard time talking about their parenting issues in a live group.
In addition, they can make it possible for people who know each
other, but live in different parts of the country, to take a
class together. Examples: Parents and grandparents, two sisters,
or a business-traveling parent with a notebook and the spouse
at home. Finally, the online classes can be a tremendous refresher
for people who have already taken a face-to-face class.
Q. What are the benefits to the leaders?
A. I would say the biggest benefit to
leaders is the flexibility, just as it is for the class members.
We are not tied to a certain meeting time or place. With my notebook
computer, I can conduct the class from anywhere. I live in Indiana,
but have led my classes from motel rooms in North Carolina, Florida,
Iowa and the wilds of northeast Montana. I also like being able
to have the time to respond to questions and comments more thoroughly
than I might in a live class.
Q. What methods have you used to publicize
your online classes?
A. I have sent news releases to regional
media, done a radio interview, sent referral information to local
social service agencies and to former face-to-face parenting
group members and counseling professionals in a city were I used
to live. I also have a section on my counseling practice website
about the groups and I list the address of the web page provided
by Active Parenting Publishers on my business cards and letterhead.
In addition APP has supplied me with some wonderful, professionally
done materials and ad slicks including a display rack which I
have placed in the lobby of the YWCA where my counseling office
is located. Finally, I weave some talk about the classes into
as many conversations as I can. I have in mind to do brief, one-hour
lunchtime samples of the class material at local corporations
to generate interest. I am also thinking of targeting rural churches
where face-to-face groups may not be readily available.
Click for more information:
James
B. Cooney, ACSW, LCSW, CADAC 1
Active Parenting Today Online Groups
