then do a christian parenting class.

Being a mother of three girls (two early adults and one teen) i can say from hindsight that the best model for parenting for me is my mother. She never shied away from using the cane on me as I grew up. I turned out very well.
Unfortunately as a young 'radical' parent, i rejected this model. I never raised a finger against my kids. They turned out well but once in a while I wish I had been more 'tough' and quick with a pinch in the right place. This could have saved me all the shouting I used to do as a young mother.
Later as I was struggling with my parenting issues, a friend placed in my hands a book called Dare to Discipline by Dr Dobson. I highly recomend this book.
Another book I wish I applied during my youthful parenting years is the Bible. But then I didnt even used to attend church then. So please if you are religious, use the wisdom presented in the Holy Book to discipline your child. A little pinch here and there has never killed any child. Of course the rules of safety when disciplining apply. Dont do it when you are too emotional otherwise you will find yourself in the juvenile court answering to a case of chlid abuse. But a little smack here and there does not hurt. And please introduce your child to church early, those of us who overlooked this are now regretting. Now I can only pray for my children coz they are beyond a smack or pinch. If i dare do it now, they will retaliate and I will be the loser!

Just wondering....why does it seem such a big deal to attend a parenting class?

We attend customer service, personal financial management, management skills, communication skiils, CME's etc... though clearly it is not the first time we have dealt with them.. We may even have formal training in some areas but still attend seminars.

babycentre.co.uk

@ali
You learn parenting from your upbringing ie your parents or community. There's no parenting manual. I remember a joke Will Smith once told of how he bought a new easier to control tv and it came with a huge manual but their new baby while much difficult an undertaking came with non.

So my friend raise your kid your own way that way he might be his own person with your influences or a copy of you and that is better than being a copy of some dude you don't know who writes some books.