Parenting Tip of the Day: Join a parent group

November 6, 2:11 PMParenting ExaminerTerreece Clarke

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A parent group can give you great support and perspective.

Great parents know a strong support system is an essential component to successful parenting and parents today are lucky to be able to find support in a variety of places including parents in the neighborhood, at your children's schools and friends at work. Another great opportunity for parent-oriented support are through parenting groups.

Most parents think these groups are for stay-at-home moms, but the truth is there are as many varieties of parenting groups as there are types of parents both on the national and local scale. While I belong to the local chapter of a national parenting organization - Mocha Moms Inc., in the Columbus metropolitan area we have at least 50 different parenting groups. There are groups for parents of multiples, stay-at-home dads, parents of children with special needs, parents of multi-racial children, parents of kids who only eat pasta, well maybe not that one, at least not yet. There are even parent groups that meet online creating bonds with others throughout the country.

A parent group has the ability to cater to your specific needs and is essential for finding information on everything from potty training techniques, teen issues, great doctor and dentist information, to securing trusted babysitters.

My group - Mocha Moms - is a group for stay-at-home women of color. Historically, this was a role that African-American women have not had the opportunity pursue and so as times have changed, there has grown a need for a group to support women in this role. Our group works to take care of the whole family - we deliver meals to our moms for a week after they have had a baby, we have Mom's Night Out, Small Business Networks, Couple's Night Out, Monthly Support Meetings, playgroups and all kinds of other activities. This group has given me and my family a base of support that has cared for us through the birth of my children, death of my father and given our kids a new group of of playmates outside of their school and neighborhood friends.

Finding a parenting group is kind of like dating. Try a couple out before committing and come into the group with a community-oriented mindset. Make an effort to discover the best ways to contribute to your group and you are guarenteed to get the most out of your involvment, so do a little research and find one that is right for you!

Parenting Group Information:

• Mocha Moms Inc.
• Because I Love You - BILY.Org
• List of parent groups for parents of children with Autism, Aspergers, PDD
• Yahoo Directory of Parent Groups
• Dr. Moz Dad Group Directory

What have you gotten from your parents group? Share in our comments section below!