Parenting Support: Why Go It Alone?
Raising a child doesn’t come with a how-to manual. Parenting support groups and programs can boost your knowledge and
confidence, whether you’re addressing specific issues or just sharing ideas with other moms and dads.
Support can come in the form of social groups such as mom's clubs. It can address specific issues and needs, such as breastfeeding, food allergies, emotional and behavioral, special needs or the problems of single parents. Here you’ll find resources for:
► General parenting
► Emotional and behavioral issues
► Food allergies
► Non-traditional practices and families
For additional resources, visit these articles on metrokids.com:
► Breastfeeding support
► Mom’s clubs, including International Moms Clubs, Mothers and More,Mocha Moms, Mothers of Twins and Multiples and Mothers of Preschoolers International.
► Special needs support groups
General Parenting
Delaware | New Jersey | Pennsylvania
Delaware
At Home Mothers Connection, PO Box 275, Hockessin, DE 19707.
Support and friendship for moms who’ve decided to be home with their children. Playgroups, activities, child-raising support and moms’ nights out. 302-292-8588, www.athomemothersconnection.org
Child Inc., 507 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809.
Offers parent education workshops on raising children and teens as well as counseling services for families involved in divorce, separation, custody and abuse issues. 302-762-8989, www.childinc.com
Children & Families First, locations in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties.
Social service agency that seeks to strengthen families through counseling, teen services and parenting education and support programs. www.cffde.org
Delaware Parents Association, 101 W. Loockerman St., Ste. 3A, Dover, DE 19904.
Provides a place for parental support and empowerment by encouraging parents to become more involved in their children’s lives. 302-678-2730, www.delparents.org
Diocese of Wilmington, Office for Family Life.
Programs on human sexuality for tweens and teens. 302-295-0657, www.cdow.org/flbmarried.html
Jewish Family Services of Delaware, 99 Passmore Rd.,Wilmington, DE 19803.
Counseling for children, adolescents and their families. 302-478-9411, www.jfsdelaware.org
The Mommies Network
Dedicated to helping moms find support and friendship in their local communities. Members meet online in private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a “big kid” bed. Hosts face-to-face events for members and their families. www.delawaremommies.com
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
Connects the public to university knowledge, research and resources to address youth, family and community needs. Offers programs in youth development, nutrition and wellness. www.ag.udel.edu/extension/index.php
New Jersey
Kennedy Health System: Women’s & Children’s Services, 435 Hurffville Cross Keys Rd., Turnersvile, NJ 08012.
Offers childbirth education, breastfeeding classes and massages for new moms. 856-582-3098, www.kennedyhealth.org
The Ripa Center for Women’s Health & Wellness, 1011 Main St., Voorhees, NJ 08043.
Program specialized to fit the needs of women through experienced doctor care, educational programs and fitness classes. Offers breastfeeding and prenatal yoga classes. 877-662-2273, www.cooperhealth.org
VirtuaWomen
Online resource for women’s health, wellness and lifestyle needs. Helps moms to manage health matters, communicate with other women and access parenting advice from qualified doctors. www.virutawomen.org
Pennsylvania
The Center for Parenting Education, 1863 Old York Rd., Ste. B, Abington, PA 19001.
Educates and supports parents to raise their children in emotionally healthy ways by providing information on the Internet, live online educational workshops in a virtual meeting room, in-person workshops and discussion groups, one-on-one Personal Parenting Coaching and referral to other service agencies. 215-657-5720, www.centerforparentingeducation.org
Families with Children from China: Delaware Valley Chapter. Assists families in the Delaware Valley who have adopted children from China. Spreads awareness of Chinese-American culture through lectures, workshops, classes, field trips and social events. www. fcc-dv.org
Main Line Health, various Pennsylvania locations.
Classes for mothers with newborns, including help with breastfeeding, fussy babies and juggling the needs of multiple children. www.mainlinehealth.org
The Mommies Network.
Helps moms find support and friendship in their local communities. Members meet online in private discussion forums to share information, from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a “big kid” bed. Occasionally hosts face-to-face events for member and families. www.buxmontmommies.com and www.philadelphiamommies.com
Open Connections, 1616 Delchester Rd., Newtown Square, PA 19073.
Hosts events and provides other forms of support to parents involved in homeschooling. 610-459-3366, www.openconnections.org
Parenting Services for Families, Presidential Apartments, 3900 City Ave. D-108, Phila. 19131.
Educational and counseling service for families with young children, specifically families with adopted children. Offers programs in child development and parenting strategies. 215-879-4030, www.parentingprograms.com
Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie, PA 18944.
Programs seek to continue author Pearl S. Buck’s commitment to improving the quality of life for children and promoting an understanding of the values of other cultures. Workshops, classes and festivals. 215-249-0100, www.psbi.org
Emotional and Behavioral Issues
New Jersey
Because I Love You, various South Jersey locations.
Supports parents with troubled children of any age. The organization helps parents promote structure, consequences and consistency in raising kids, focusing on problems ranging from drugs and runaways to handling messy rooms. www.bily.org
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden.
Provides strength-based, systems-oriented psychotherapy, supportive services and opportunities for personal growth, healing and reconciliation. Camden County, 856-342-4100; Gloucester County, 856-845-9200; www.catholiccharitiescamden.org (click: Services)
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton.
Provides individual, family, childrens’ and support group counseling services in Burlington County. 800-360-7711, www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org (click: Services)
Family Support Organization, branches in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties.
Provides direct family-to-family peer support, education and advocacy to families with children who have emotional and behavioral problems. www.state.nj.us
• Burlington County, 774 Eayrestown Rd., Lumberton, NJ 08048, 609-265-8838
• Camden County, 23 W. Park Ave., Merchantville, NJ 08109, 856-662-2600
• Gloucester County, 2739 N. Delsea Dr., Vineland, NJ 08360, 856-507-9400
Jewish Family and Children’s Service, various South Jersey locations.
Provides counseling and care management for Jewish families who are experiencing crises such as unexpected financial difficulties, domestic violence, work-related problems or newly diagnosed developmental disabilities. 866-532-7669, 856-424-1333, www.jfcssnj.org
Pennsylvania
Barbara Bogle, Malvern, PA.
Parent coach and former school counselor addresses issues such as inappropriate behavior, disrespect, entitlement, bickering, school performance and teacher communications. Private clients, courses, workshops and groups. 610-590-0242, www.barbbogle.com, barbbogle@yahoo.com
Because I Love You, various Pennsylvania locations.
Supports parents with troubled children of any age. The organization helps parents promote structure, consequences and consistency in raising kids, focusing on problems ranging from drugs and runaways to handling messy rooms. www.bily.org
Catholic Social Services, counseling services at various Pennsylvania locations.
Licensed therapists offer counseling to individuals, married couples and families to help them deal with stress and anxiety, substance abuse, relationship conflicts and other issues. 215-587-3590, www.catholicsocialservicesphilly.org
Children’s Crisis and Support Program, part of Access Services, serving Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and outlying counties, 500 Office Center Dr., Ste. 100, Ft. Washington, PA 19034.
Community-based crisis intervention for children experiencing a psychiatric, behavioral or family conflict. Phone counseling and mobile crisis intervention available 24 hours a day. 1-888-HELP-414, www.accessservices.org
CORA Services, 8450 Verree Rd., Phila. 19111.
This nonprofit agency assists children and families experiencing emotional, academic and social challenges. Professional services focus on prevention, intervention, remediation and referral assistance. 215-342-7660, www.coraservices.org
Jewish Family and Children’s Service, various Pennsylvania locations.
Provides counseling and care management for Jewish individuals and families experiencing crises such as unexpected financial difficulties, domestic violence, work-related problems or newly diagnosed disabilities. 866-532-7669, www.jfcsphilly.org
Parents Involved Network (PIN), various Pennsylvania locations.
Assists parents of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. A program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, PIN provides information, support, referral and links to services. Delaware County, 610-713-9401; Norristown, 610-279-8511, ext. 113; Philadelphia, 215-751-1800, ext. 513; www.mhasp.org
Food Allergies
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), 11781 Lee Jackson Hwy., Ste. 160, Fairfax, VA.
Provides information and educational resources about food allergy to parents, schools and the public. Hosts fundraising Walks for Food Allergy. 800-929-4040 www.foodallergy.org
Food Allergy Connections, Garden State Allergy and Asthma Center, 200B Rte. 73 N., Ste. 3, Voorhees, NJ 08043. Raises public awareness in the community about food allergies through educational literature, seminars, and interactive discussions. 856-753-8989, www.foodallergyconnections.org
Non-Traditional Families and Practices
Delaware | New Jersey | Pennsylvania
Delaware
Holistic Moms Network, New Castle County Chapter.
Connects parents who are interested in holistic health and green living so that they can learn from each other and spread awareness about sustainable living. http://newcastlede.holisticmoms.org
Parents Without Partners, Greater Wilmington Chapter, PO Box 7560,
Newark, DE 19714.
Offers support, friendship and an exchange of parenting techniques for single parent families through educational, family and adult social activities. 302-738-3264, e-mail: info@pwp121.com
New Jersey
Hollistic Moms Network, West Jersey/Philadelphia Chapter
Connects parents who are interested in holistic health and green living so that they can learn from each other and spread awareness about sustainable living. www.holisticmoms.org
Parents Without Partners. Offers support, friendship and an exchange of parenting techniques for single parent families through educational, family and adult social activities. 800-637-7974, www.parentswithoutpartners.org
Rainbow Families of New Jersey, 590 Bloomfield Ave, Suite 234, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
Dedicated to serving the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) parents, their children, and those interested in becoming parents. 973-763-8511, www.rainbowfamiliesnj.org
Pennsylvania
Diaper Free Baby, serving the Philadelphia suburbs.
Parent-run support and education group, assisting families to potty train their young children. Teaches elimination communication (raising babies without diapers) and natural infant hygiene. www.diaperfreebaby.com
Hollistic Moms Network, local chapters throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
Connects parents who are interested in holistic health and green living so that they can learn from each other and spread awareness about sustainable living. www.holisticmoms.org
Maternal Wellness Center, 406 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Phila. 19119.
Supports families through the birthing and early child care process while utilizing a holistic wellness model. Offers Birth Works childbirth education classes, psychotherapy services and acupuncture. 215-888-7698, www.maternalwellness.org
Parents Without Partners, various chapters throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
Offers support, friendship, and an exchange of parenting techniques for single parent families through educational, family and adult social activities. 800-637-7974, www.parentswithoutpartners.org
Terri Akman is a local freelance writer.
