“It’s hard to get support. You know it’s there but you can’t always find it.”

"I felt totally inadequate as a mother.  I kept trying to convince myself that I could work things out on my own, but eventually I couldn't lie to myself anymore.  It took a lot of courage to go to that first meeting…But when I got there, it was amazing to discover a place where parents could talk without being judged.  I never knew that if you had a problem you could talk about it and get help and understanding instead of criticism. PHP taught me that."

“It’s so nice to know [the other parents] miss me when I’m not there. I get lots of positive feedback, and my experiences are helpful to all the parents of younger children.” 

“Now I know I can call somebody to talk to who knows the way I feel because they feel the same way.  The group is something I'm part of.  It makes me feel good that I can help others learn new parenting skills while I get the help I need in coming to terms with my own childhood, I am not a failure as a parent.

“I love my group…I feel like I belong for the first time.  I know they care about what I am dealing with and I really care about them too.” 

"Parenting is absolutely the hardest job I've ever had.  When I came to PHP, I didn't want people to tell me what to do; I wanted them to listen to me and help me figure out what I should do.  We would cry together, laugh together, be angry together and admit our mistakes together without any fear of criticism.  And if it's really difficult, I know I can call someone in the group and get support and understanding.  I can reach for the telephone instead of reaching for my kids.  People are there for each other.  It's a family."

“Thank God we found PHP. We attended the meetings, listened to other parents, learned a lot, and got the support we needed.  We met the most understanding, delightful, and caring people we’d ever known and they helped us get through it – they were there for us when we needed them.”

"PHP has been wonderful.  It gives me a peaceful outlet to talk about feelings, that my feelings aren't abnormal and don't make me a monster.  I've learned so much about myself and why I do some of the things I do... And I've also learned different ways of coping.” 

"I was new at being a mom, and I was really feeling inadequate, especially at bedtimes.  I wasn't the Betty Crocker mom I'd always read about.  I thought I was supposed to instantly adore this little creature.  I adored him at two in the afternoon, but by eleven at night, I decided he was running my life.  In PHP, other parents told me to get serious, to set a limit - no excuses.  Now, we have a routine every night.  And every week when we get together in our PHP group, it's like having your own cheering squad.”