March 2020: Interview With Heather Howard - Former Parental Stress Line Volunteer
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When were you a PHP volunteer?
1991-1992 I volunteered as a senior at Boston College. I completed an Independent Study for Psychology and wrote an essay about my experience at the time Parents Anonymous and supporting parents.
2. What did you value most about your experience?
As an undergraduate I studied Developmental Psychology and was a research assistant for a cultural psychologist who examined different cultural practices in parenting in Kenya and gender differences in early childhood education. I wanted to continue my graduate education and work with families in crisis. Read More
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August 2019 : Richie’s ENTIRE STORY
Parents Helping Parents teamed up with the Father’s Group and visitation Committee at MCI Norfolk Prison to host the Annual Family Movie & Game Night on June 27, 2019. This was the second time any event like this was ever hosted in
the prison. A special thank you goes out to our Super Volunteer, Linda Perry who is facilitating a Parents Helping Parents support group at the prison.
While we were on our way-out Linda had asked one of the little girls what she thought of the event. She said I quote “This has been the best day of my life”. In that moment I realized that the event wasn’t about movies, food, and games. It was about love and showing these beautiful children how much they are loved by their dad’s and no number of doors, walls & barbed wire can ever keep that love locked up. Because love is exponential and always in abundance when we have the amazing opportunity to be blessed with having a child and being a parent. Read More
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June 2019 : Michael’s ENTIRE STORY
To quote my favorite parenting coach, Bonnie Harris: “Parenting is engaging in a process of self discovery so that we may develop the confidence to support and guide our children in ways that fully accept who they are.” As Christopher Robin from Winnie The Pooh fame says: “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”
I wasn't ready to be a husband, I wasn't ready to be a father. I was nowhere near prepared for divorce nor raising my three year old daughter virtually by myself. I was even less prepared for falling in love again and assuming I could be a suitable stepfather to four more children of varying ages, each with many layers of trauma imposed on them. I was blindsided by the grief of losing my daughter amidst all these events and I am still slightly awkward how I fit in with my new family arrangement. My name is Michael Webb. These are the circumstances that brought me to PHP, and kept me attending PHP for six years. Read More
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