"Parenting is absolutely the hardest job I've ever had. When it came to the group...I wanted them to listen to me and help me figure out what I should do."

A. The groups follow a parent leadership model, meaning that the parents in the group are in charge of how the group runs. Parents are the experts - at least about their own families. Therefore, parents discuss the parenting issues that are most important to them.  A trained group facilitator and a parent leader help meetings run smoothly.

"We would cry together, laugh together, be angry together and admit mistakes together without any fear of criticism."

A. You are welcome in a Parents Helping Parents group if you are a parent, or other adult in a parenting role, who wishes to improve family relationships. Our parents come from many different backgrounds and for many different reasons. Most new members feel a bit shy or anxious at first. It's very reassuring to discover you are not the only one who feels that way!

"I felt totally inadequate as a mother...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 about their worst secrets...and get help and understanding instead of criticism.

A. All groups are free.

A. Exact group locations are not listed on this website due to our anonymity policy . To find out the exact location of a group near you, you can fill out our online support group locator form or call toll-free 1-800-632-8188. If you call after hours, you may leave a message and someone will return your call.

A. Time for themselves; marital problems; balancing work and children; needing someone to talk to; program requirement; crisis involving teenager daughter/son; to lower stress; learn better parenting skills; getting children back/involved in DSS; discipline problems; babies who won't go to sleep; single parent stress; constant yelling at home; an ADHD child; children who won't listen; rebellious children; teens who are skipping school; own history as an abused or neglected child; a belief in the myth of the "perfect parent;" and no one to talk to....just for a start.

“Now I know that I don’t have to respond to my son’s misbehavior right away. I can take some time to think or I can call someone from my group to talk it over.”

A. Group meetings focus on the topics and situations that are important to the group's members and can change from week to week. Group members may learn parenting skills from other parents, but meetings do not follow a curriculum. Many people who are looking for a parenting class find that a support group for parents meets their needs better than a class.

Other members find that a parenting class can complement their experiences in a support group to meet their parenting goals.

A. Many groups offer free childcare. Click here to find out which groups offer childcare. Parents often take comfort in a well-deserved break during 2-hour meetings.

A. New groups are opening all the time. If you would like to be notified of group openings near you, you may fill out the Parent Support Group Locator Form and check the box that says “I would like to be notified if a group opens in my area.”

A. Come whenever you can. You are always welcome at Parents Helping Parents.

A. This depends on the group. Some groups decide that they would like to meet socially while other groups decide that they will only see each other in group.