The next steps toward reaching this vision are extensive. We are generally more excited about the potential of applying motivational interviewing to parents, and would emphasize steps down that solution path:
Lots of Research!
Interview parents
Sit in on Motivational Interviews
Secure the backing of experts in the field.
Consult computer systems specialists to see what programs are most appropriate to analyze inputs such as parents' feelings and goals to provide outputs such as advice. This should include a more thorough patent search of existing solutions.
Work with motivational interviewing experts to develop a large data set of past interviews, and use those interviews to develop algorithms to guide the electronic interviewer.
Test the interface and question and answer setup with users.
Solicit funding and support.
Develop a team of specialists who test the interface, fine tune the software, and analyze the results.
Spread this application to every new parent!
What makes young parents take parenting courses?
What stops parents from taking parenting courses?
How often do they decide to go back?
When do they determine that they have learned ‘enough’?
How do parents determine if others are good parents?
What holds people back from criticizing others’ parenting?
What communities raise children as a group?
Are these communities more receptive to feedback?
Do they have a more universal understanding of what parenting is ‘good’ and what parenting is ‘bad’?
Are their children more socially adjusted?
Do their children decide to raise their young in a community setting as well?
Are these children more likely to have a strong bond with someone who isn’t their biological parent?
Do these children also have higher success rates and fewer effects from traumatic experiences?
Who can effectively influence a parent’s actions?
How late in a child's life can a parent change their parenting direction and still be effective?
How much parenting coaching is necessary for positive results?
How do we teach parents to empathize with their kids?
Could another figure replace a parent?
Could you artificially raise a rat pup to nurture if it is nurtured by artificial parent?
What makes a parent see their kid as someone to respect?
What will motivate a parent to seek out help?
How can you parent better?
How do you teach parenting?
Are parents receptive to parenting class?
How do kids like parenting courses?
What do you teach kids?
How do you recruit parents for parenting courses?
Is what you do effective for everybody? Is there anything that always works?
When is the ideal time for intervention? when is too late? PreSchool? Kindergarten? Middle school?
What do parents learn in a parenting course? specific learning outcomes
Are parenting courses effective?
How effective is motivational interviewing with a virtual interviewer?
What are the limitations of motivational interviewing in addressing parenting?
How far along is development of real-time stress monitors?
Who will support our initiatives financially?
Can a corporation support a social initiative without moving it too far from its original intent?
Which corporations or non-profits would be interested in making this idea happen for the right reasons?
Would it require a new organization?
Are there research institutions that are doing work closely related to this area who would support projects such as these?
Would these institutions be driven to make it a reality and not just another research opportunity?