Community Parent Support Groups

The purpose of our support groups is to create safe spaces where group members share experiences about parenting no matter where they are on the parenting journey and learn to cope with things they cannot change.

Parents Helping Parents has provided parent support groups since 1972. Forty years of outcome data show that parents who attend our groups learn new parenting skills; report significant stress reduction; and are better able to control their emotions.

Our groups are free, confidential, and open to anyone who identifies as a caregiver. They are run by trained volunteer facilitators.

People may join the group at any time and attend as many or as few groups as they want. We find that our groups often develop a core membership who attend consistently over a period of time - sometimes years - while others come and go.

We often have people from a variety of backgrounds in each group. While they come from different places, they all have caregiving in common.

Volunteer facilitators run the group. They manage technology, monitor the time, and make sure everyone is able to participate. They may check in with group members between groups.

Generally, it is the group members who decide what the group will discuss that day.

A parenting class is run by a facilitator trained in a specific parenting curriculum.

Our support groups use a trauma-informed, mutual aid group model that we have developed over 40 years. Group members help one another through a combination of trust, validation, support, and collective wisdom. Each group adopts its own rules which always include confidentiality and establishing a judgment-free forum.

No.

Members can participate in the way they feel most comfortable. Some people get the most out of groups by talking a lot and engaging with others, other people get what they need from listening and observing. Our facilitators are trained to understand the different types of group participation and help all members get the space they need during group time. If you have questions or concerns about group participation, please talk with your group facilitator.

All groups are free.

Yes.

Our groups are ongoing and welcome new members at any time.

After completing 8 weeks of the group, we will provide an attendance certificate for their participation in our Parent Support Groups. We will write letters confirming attendance upon request.

Many groups offer free childcare. Please check with your group facilitator to see if their program provides child care.