Reflective Thinking and Growth Through Parent Education: Experiences of Korean Mothers with Young Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Korean mothers in relation to parent education. Parent education was broadly defined in this study to encompass the various educational experiences that parents “try” and “undergo” both before and after becoming parents. Rather than being confined to a single program, we aimed to understand parent education as a cumulative process, comprising diverse experiences that shape parents’ lives and roles. We conducted in-depth interviews with seven mothers of infants and toddlers, followed by a reflexive thematic analysis of the data. Four major themes emerged from the analysis. The first theme, “confusion about becoming a parent,” describes the initial challenges of adjusting to the loss of freedom and the adaptation to new responsibilities. The second theme, “parent education through observation and experience,” highlights how parents learned by observing and engaging with real-life situations before and after the birth of their children. The third theme, “active participation in purposeful parent education,” focuses on structured educational programs in shaping parental roles. The final theme, “reflective thinking and personal growth through parent education,” illustrates how reflective practices as a mother contributed to the parental development. This study underscores the importance of adopting a long-term perspective on parent education, recognizing the interconnected nature of parental and child development and appreciating the experiences of mothers who grow through reflective thinking.