Parenting Advice and Support
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Parenthood can bring joy and sorrow, challenges and successes. It can make one feel proud, tired, delighted, bored, and overwhelmed - sometimes all at once. It is not uncommon for a parent to neglect his/her own needs while focusing on those of the child. As it has often been said, parenting is the most important, most wonderful, and most difficult job ever.
Most parents are eager to do a good job. But it seems there is always something to learn: a new technique to try, a different struggle to overcome. Just when a parent feels competent and confident about an appropriate parenting style or technique, the child changes. Confidence and competence may be replaced by feelings of bewilderment and betrayal, as the parent needs to re-think, re-learn, or re-invent his/her approach. How can mothers and fathers learn to enjoy this constantly-evolving parenting puzzle?
more »Resource Organizations » Parenting Advice and Support
28 listing(s), including 2 with hotlines and 11 offering support groups
In Massachusetts
Organizations with hotlines
Children’s League of Massachusetts
The Children's League of Massachusetts is a statewide non-profit
association of over 80 private and public organizations and
individuals that collectively advocate for public policies and
quality services that are in the best interest of the
Commonwealth's children, youth and families. It is through public
education and advocacy that the Children's League promotes the
availability, accessibility, and quality of these needed services.
Parents Helping Parents and Parental Stress Line
parentshelpingparents.org
Offers support group(s)
108 Water Street
Watertown, MA 02472Parents Helping Parents: 617-926-5008
Parental Stress Line: 800-632-8188
Since 1972, when the organization was founded as Parents Anonymous
Organization of Massachusetts, Parents Helping Parents (PHP) has
offered hope and support to thousands of parents. PHP's mission is
to promote and support healthy parent/child relationships and break
the cycle of child abuse through peer-led, professionally
facilitated mutual help groups, which provide a nurturing,
non-judgmental environment in which to improve family
relationships. The parental stress line is free and confidential
and is available to parents 24/7 for support and guidance.
Organizations without hotlines
Center for Early Relationship Support, Jewish Family & Children's Services (JF&CS)
www.jfcsboston.org/OurPrograms/ChildrenFamilies/tabid/179/Default.aspx
Offers support group(s)
1430 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451781-647-5327
The Center for Early Relationship Support is a center of excellence
for direct services, training, supervision, and consultation that
focus on the earliest parent-infant relationship. Programs include
free home visits for new parents, support groups for new parents,
specialized treatment for parents with postpartum adjustment
disorders, sleep and feeding consultations, services for premature
infants, and programs for parents under 21 years old.
Chelmsford Community Education
Our programs offer something for every age level. Whether you're a
resident of Chelmsford or one of the surrounding towns, there is a
wide variety of courses and recreational activities to serve
educational and enrichment needs, or for just plain fun! Our
Childcare and Preschool services are enjoyed by children as young
as 18 months through school age. Please browse through our website
to find a new hobby, sign up for a trip with your friends, or learn
a new skill. We have it all!
Part of the Chelmsford Public Schools
Part of the Chelmsford Public Schools
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and
families by providing trustworthy information and education needed
to thrive in a world of media and technology.
Common Sense Media exists because the amount of time children spend with media and digital activities profoundly impacts their social, emotional, and physical development. Common Sense Media is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization providing trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume.
Common Sense Media exists because the amount of time children spend with media and digital activities profoundly impacts their social, emotional, and physical development. Common Sense Media is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization providing trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume.
Community Resources for People with Autism
www.communityresourcesforautism.org/
Offers support group(s)
116 Pleasant Street Suite 366
Easthampton, MA 01027413-529-2428
Community Resources for People with Autism provides support,
information, and practical help for individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorders and their families living in Western
Massachusetts.
Community Resources was founded in 1989, and continues to be directed by, parents of children with autism. Their goal is to help families, schools, professionals, agencies and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism, and foster their inclusion in the community. They offer support groups, a referral directory, and educational advocacy, as well as a multitude of information and resources.
Community Resources was founded in 1989, and continues to be directed by, parents of children with autism. Their goal is to help families, schools, professionals, agencies and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism, and foster their inclusion in the community. They offer support groups, a referral directory, and educational advocacy, as well as a multitude of information and resources.
CTI: Division of Child and Family Services
The Division of Child and Family Services assists family
self-sufficiency by providing nurturing, safe and supportive
programs for families with children birth through middle school
age. Its programs help low-income families meet their children's
educational, social, nutritional, and health needs and encourage
parents to participate fully in shaping these programs and services
to best meet their needs. Last year, the Divison served nearly
10,000 Greater Lowell children and their families.
Families First Parenting Programs
www.families-first.org
Offers support group(s)
99 Bishop Richard Allen Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139617-868-7687
Families First Parenting Programs builds positive relationships
between parents and their children by educating both families and
the professionals who serve them through hands-on workshops.
Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts
www.familynurturing.org
Offers support group(s)
200 Bowdoin Street
Dorchester, MA 02122617-474-1143
Fax: 617-474-1261
Nurturing Programs bring parents and children together to learn,
have fun, and build supportive relationships with other community
families. The Family Nurturing Center works in partnerships with
others to offer a variety of Nurturing Programs in Boston and
across Massachusetts. We use the original curriculum (Nurturing
Program for Parents and Children), as well as several adaptations
(Prenatal, Teen Parent, Nurturing Fathers, Nurturing Program for
Families in Recovery), and we have developed our own specialized
programs to meet the needs of the communities we serve (Nurturing
Our Babies, Birth and Foster Family, Cape Verdean Nurturing
Program).
Family Service of Greater Boston
Family Service of Greater Boston promotes the self-sufficiency and
well-being of at-risk families and individuals through provision of
innovative, culturally competent, and integrated health and social
services, thereby contributing to healthy communities. In keeping
with our mission, Family Service reaches 5,800 mothers, fathers,
grandparents, children, and teens annually. We provide high-quality
clinical mental health services for children and adults who have
been victims of physical and sexual abuse. We offer substance abuse
treatment, family therapy, parenting education, and child
protective services to help troubled families stay together and
rebuild their lives. In elementary, middle, and high schools, and
in after-school programs across Boston, we offer mentoring for
young people, school-based counseling, and prevention services
aimed at reducing violence, early pregnancy, and substance abuse.
Family TIES of Massachusetts
Family TIES of Massachusetts is a program for families of children
with special needs and chronic illness, and the professionals who
support them. Family TIES offers parent-to-parent support,
information and referral services, and workshops to ensure that
parents feel confident in caring for their children's special
needs. The website offers information about services and supports,
as well as personal experiences from early intervention through
transition to adulthood. In addition, Family TIES offers regional
coordinators who help parents of children with special needs get
connected to support groups in their area.
Father Friendly Initiative, Boston Public Health Commission
www.bphc.org/programs/cafh/mch/fatherfriendly
Offers support group(s)
Finland Building
774 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118617-534-9525
The Father Friendly Initiative (FFI), is a "one stop" service
designed to reintegrate the father into the family, specifically
targeting men who have child support, custody/visitation, or court
involved issues. FFI uses a holistic approach and offers a
comprehensive case management program designed to accommodate the
psychological, physical and social support needs of those men
falling within the low to no-income range.
First Connections
www.firstconnections.org
Offers support group(s)
545 Boylston Street, Suite 700
Boston, MA 02116617-450-0500
First Connections is a non-profit, family support organization that
provides comprehensive services to families with young children
birth through age five. Created in 1994 as part of the
Massachusetts Family Network initiative, First Connections serves a
large geographic area that encompasses twelve metro-west
communities, including Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle,
Concord, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, and
Westford as well as Hanscom Air Force Base. The mission of First
Connections is to assist parents, through free or low cost
education and support, in developing the skills they need to be
involved and effective parents and to connect these parents to each
other and to their communities.
Freedman Center
Freedman Center (formerly WarmLines), a not-for-profit organization
based in Newton, provides programs, resource information and
support services for families, educators and employee groups.
Freedman Center offers New Mothers and New Parents groups, special
topic support groups, mental health and wellness referrals, and
workshops for parents, early childhood educators and mental health
providers. Mental Health and Wellness consultations are also
available to schools and community agencies.
MassResources
Needham Health Department
The Needham Health Department offers a range of mental health
services for citizens of the town. Public Health Nurses provide
confidential counseling and referrals to all ages. Short-term
home-based services for at-risk teenagers and their families are
provided through Riverside Community Care's Alternative Youth
Services program. The program includes family counseling, advocacy,
information, and referral. Call the Health Department for more
information on these free services. The town's Substance Abuse
Prevention and Education program provides informational programs,
educational resources, and confidential substance abuse support
services for Needham youth, adults, and seniors. Contact Carol Read
at the Health Department to find out more about inpatient and
outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, and peer
support resources regarding substance abuse, addiction and chemical
dependency.
Needham Youth Services
This is a town-funded department which provides professional and
confidential mental health services to youth and their families in
Needham. It offers support, information, and direction on issues
such as peer relationships, stress, grief and loss, substance use,
suicide, and other concerns. Most services are free of charge. The
department collaborates regularly with civic and community
organizations on a variety of projects.
Nurturing Fathers Program, Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts
www.familynurturing.org/programs-nurturing.htm#fathers
Offers support group(s)
200 Bowdoin Street
Dorchester, MA 02122617-474-1143 x 251
Fax: 617-474-1261
Offers a structured group that dads can participate in to get a
better understanding of themselves and their roles in the family.
Each group explores family patterns in fathering, families as a
team sport, problem-solving with co-parent, fathering sons and
daughters, work and fathering, and many other issues. Each session
allows ample time for participants to share their experiences. The
groups are facilitated by nurturing fathers once a week for 13
weeks and meet in various locations around Boston.
One Tough Job, Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund
The Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund created One Tough Job to
support parents by providing them with current, reliable, and
practical information on a variety of parenting topics related to
raising children from infancy through adolescence. We aim to
provide a general overview of topics, drawing from a variety of
reputable and reliable sources.
Parent-Child Home Program
The Parent-Child Home Program is a research-based and
research-validated early childhood literacy and school readiness
program. The Program successfully strengthens families and prepares
children for academic success through intensive home visiting. The
Program has a proven record in Massachusetts since 1970 when the
first sites opened in Pittsfield, Newton, and Cambridge. Currently
there are 34 sites from Pittsfield to Boston serving over 1500
families, living at or below the poverty line, in their homes,
homeless shelters, and family child care homes.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) is an organization that
promotes a strong voice for families of children and adolescents
with mental health needs. PAL advocates for supports, treatment and
policies that enable families to live in their communities in an
environment of stability and respect.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL)
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) is an organization that
promotes a strong voice for families of children and adolescents
with mental health needs. PAL advocates for supports, treatment and
policies that enable families to live in their communities in an
environment of stability and respect.
Parenting Teens Info
Parenting Teens Info is dedicated to one thing: We support parents
in successfully raising teens.
We write and produce a variety of online and offline content in various formats: programs, books, booklets, CD's, and much more. Our goal is to deliver top quality, evidence-based information in a fun and interactive way. The online format gives parents the flexibility to choose when, where, and how long they would like to review and engage in the thought provoking readings, reflections, and activities. Our print products enable individuals and groups to learn about issues, consider expert input and engage with other parents.
We write and produce a variety of online and offline content in various formats: programs, books, booklets, CD's, and much more. Our goal is to deliver top quality, evidence-based information in a fun and interactive way. The online format gives parents the flexibility to choose when, where, and how long they would like to review and engage in the thought provoking readings, reflections, and activities. Our print products enable individuals and groups to learn about issues, consider expert input and engage with other parents.
Room to Grow
Room to Grow's innovative program provides parents raising babies
in poverty with one-on-one parenting support and essential baby
items throughout their children's critical first three years of
life.
The Counseling Center of Nashua- EDUCATIONAL LIAISON AND CONSULTATION SERVICES
The Paul Center for Learning and Recreation
The Paul Center is dedicated to assisting individuals with
disabilities in developing their maximum potential and
independence. We accomplish this goal by providing services to the
individual as well as to the family. The Board of Directors and
staff of The Paul Center believe that through consistent quality
programming we can and do provide an optimal educational and
recreational experience needed by our students.We stress with our
staff the importance of establishing and maintaining a "spirit of
extended family" with our students. This spirit transcends all
aspects of our programs and continues to be a significant factor in
our success with our students.
Think:Kids
Think:Kids is a program in the Department of Psychiatry at the
non-profit Massachusetts General Hospital that trains adults in a
revolutionary new way of helping kids with social, emotional, and
behavioral challenges. Think:Kids aims to dramatically improve
society's understanding and treatment of challenging kids.
Think:Kids teaches a revolutionary, evidence-based approach for helping children with behavioral challenges. Through training, support and clinical services, we promote the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well - specifically skills related to problem solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance. Unlike traditional models of discipline, our approach avoids the use of power, control and motivational procedures and instead focuses on teaching at-risk kids the skills they need to succeed.
Think:Kids teaches a revolutionary, evidence-based approach for helping children with behavioral challenges. Through training, support and clinical services, we promote the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well - specifically skills related to problem solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance. Unlike traditional models of discipline, our approach avoids the use of power, control and motivational procedures and instead focuses on teaching at-risk kids the skills they need to succeed.
Outside Massachusetts
The Balanced Mind Foundation
The Balanced Mind Foundation guides families raising children with
mood disorders to the answers, support and stability they seek.
The Balanced Mind Foundation envisions a world where children living with mood disorders thrive because their families have the resources, community and support they need.
The Balanced Mind Foundation envisions a world where children living with mood disorders thrive because their families have the resources, community and support they need.
Additional Sources of Information
In addition to the parenting organizations and publications listed on this site, your child's pediatrician, school counselors, and your school's Parent-Teacher Organization/Association may have helpful advice to offer.
Guides from the MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service
For Parents of Younger Children
- Tips and Tactics about Bullying for Parents
- Specific Strategies to Teach Your Child to Deal with Teasing
- What Should Parents Expect of Their Pediatrician when They Are Worried about a Child's Emotional Health?
- Medication and Children
For Parents of Older Children
- Psychologically Speaking... with Dr. Lynn Margolies
- Tips for Parents of Teens
- Websites Especially for Teens
- Parenting Teens Info
- Drinking, Drugs and Depression: Tips for Parents
- Joani Geltman, MSW: Joani's parenting tip of the day
General Resources
Cradles to Crayons provides low-income and homeless children the basic essentials they need to be safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. Through partnerships with social service agencies, serves tens of thousands of children in need each year. 617-471-8417 or cradlestocrayons.org.
Overwhelmed No More. A free newsletter published by special needs parent coach Joan Celebi that offers tips, info, ideas, and resources to help you successfully navigate life as a parent of a child with special needs. Sign up at www.specialneedsparentcoach.com for a free guide, “The Ten Essentials of Balanced Living for Parents of Children with Special Needs” and the monthly newsletter.
Forensic Nursing provides a section on Children's Safety Resources, “a comprehensive children’s medical and safety resource guide.”
Disclaimer: Material on the MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service website is intended as general information. It is not a recommendation for treatment, nor should it be considered medical or mental health advice. The MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service urges families to discuss all information and questions related to medical or mental health care with a health care professional.
