Parents Helping Parents - Parent Leadership

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Parent Leadership

Parent Leadership:

“Being a Parent Leader has given me the opportunity to be a strong partner with other parents who share the same challenges.” -Parent Leader

Q1. What is Parent Leadership?

A. Parent Leadership is a strengths-based approach to parent support that is founded on the belief that parents are knowledgeable about their families and their communities. Parent Leadership allows parents to build their skills and sense of self esteem. When parents provide support to others, that signifies the beginning of leadership development within the Parent Support Group. Some parents take on specific tasks within the group such as greeting new members or calling others between meetings. Some Parent Leaders become more involved within their communities and/or within the larger organization of Parents Helping Parents. Some Parent Leaders join the Board of Directors and contribute to shared leadership at the agency level.

Q2. Who can be a Parent Leader?

A. A Parent Leader is someone who represents the needs and perspectives of parents without speaking or acting in a staff role for an organization or non-profit institution. Parent Leaders are parents who have addressed the challenges of parenting, gained the knowledge and skills to function in meaningful leadership roles and serve as a “parent voice” to help shape the direction of their families, programs, and communities.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming a Parent Leader?

A. Parent Leadership and involvement strengthens families and improves outcomes for children. As parents learn and practice new skills, they gain a sense of empowerment. The positive self concept developed through empowerment can help individuals manage stress, maintain high self-esteem, gain a sense of competence and control in their parenting, and help others develop shared parenting suggestions. Parent Leaders become role models of community involvement not only for their own children, but for other families as well.

“Being a Parent Leader for me was more about making the Parent Support Group my second home than anything else. I love the group, and I want to do what ever it takes to make sure our local group continues. Also, it makes me feel so much better when I reach out and help others and let them see the pleasure to be had in being part of such a supportive organization.” –Parent Leader

Q4. How does one become a Parent Leader?

A. Developing Parent Leadership is a progressive process. Parents may find themselves at different stages at different times. Parent involvement, awareness, and acceptance of responsibility begin when a parent first enters a Parent Support Group. As a parent becomes empowered and accumulates skills, he or she may emerge as a Parent Leader, taking on leadership roles within the group. Specific leadership roles are carried out by different group members at different times. Many Parent Leaders choose to take on leadership roles outside of the group, within the larger organization of Parents Helping Parents, or within other community organizations.

Q5. How does Parents Helping Parents benefit from Parent Leadership?

A. Utilizing Parent Leadership contributes to both the quality and efficiency of Parents Helping Parents’ programs. Because they themselves have found support and empowerment at Parents Helping Parents, Parent Leaders bring a particularly strong commitment to the mission of child abuse prevention and to meeting the needs of their communities. For these reasons, one-third of the Board of Directors, including both the President and Vice President, are either former or current Parent Support Group members.

Call: 1.800.632.8188