Disclaimer :: My Health My Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County sponsored and crafted this post about group programs that can provide resources and support to parents.
Parenting can sometimes feel very lonely. Having a baby is difficult. Toddlers can be challenging. And making parent friends can seem impossible. Parenting is hard, and sometimes it helps to see another parent having the same challenges. Just as important as sharing the stress of being a new parent is sharing the joys and celebrating milestones with those who are also in the same place in the journey as you.
Early Childhood Services, part of My Health My Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County, has several group programs open to parents. These programs cover a diverse array of topics for those looking for ways to engage or for those with specific needs or challenges.
Groups are a way for early childhood professionals to work with babies, toddlers, and little ones at their level and engage caregivers to participate and learn tips and tools to engage their children in the home, too.
Each of these programs are offered in various locations at least once per month and can be found on the MHMR community calendar.
You can choose the group or groups that interest you to see what’s the best fit for you and your kiddo. A complete list is below. Upcoming trainings that may be of interest are Maternal Support Groups and Parent Cafés.
Maternal Support Groups, also called “you are not alone” topics, include care for children, education, breastfeeding support, and prenatal/postpartum depression. Light refreshments are served.
Parent Cafés are free. At Parent Cafés, participants have meaningful, guided conversations about what matters most in their families. Childcare and food provided!
“Parent Cafés provides a safe and nurturing environment for parents to share what is most important to them,” said Arrenia Thomas, who facilitates Parent Cafés for Early Childhood Services. “Parent Cafés provides a sense of community for parents . . . to express how they feel and what they may be going through in life. I realize I am not alone.”
Parent Cafés are two hours each for five weeks. The cafés mobilize and educate parents to strengthen their own families by building five protective factors. These factors build resilience, which results in stronger communities. These groups provide free childcare and group discussion for the caregivers. Meals are provided. And each Parent Café is different. Learn more in this Parent Café video.
Additional Early Childhood Services Groups include:
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention: The TBRI group addresses the importance of the relationship between parent and child. Parents reflect on their own experiences to understand better why they do what they do to help their children. This group also works on empowering strategies and correcting challenging behaviors while supporting the parent-child relationship.
- Nurturing Parent Program: NPP is a family-centered, trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills. These provide an alternative to other forms of parenting and child-rearing practices. This is a great group for any and all parents wanting to learn about parenting for any child.
- Autism Support Groups: In Autism Support Group parents will discuss the ups and downs of parenting a child with autism. Parents and special guests share their experiences and knowledge. This group will focus on hopes and fears, along with brain development, school system (IEPs), and challenging behaviors. Parents will walk through this process with other families that have been where they are.
- Music and Movement: Music and Motion focuses on the facilitation of social interaction in a group setting using communication with others, incorporating movement through music.
- Story Time Healthy Eating/ Health Reading: Story time emphasizes the importance of reading in a child’s life. Parents learn strategies on how to integrate book time and healthy eating to make it more fun and enjoyable for the child.
- Sensory: In Sensory Group, parents explore the five senses with their children through play. Parents will also work with their child on fine and gross motor skills, as well as language and cognitive skills.
- Transition Stations with Young Athletes: This class incorporates Special Olympics Young Athletes, a sport-play program with activities that offer essential communication skills, social interaction, and body awareness movements through interactive activities like an obstacle with tunnels, steps, walk beams on the floor, throwing bean bags, kicking balls, and rings infused with timed stations. The class offers routine introductions, singing and dancing, and simple stretches at every class.
The groups calendar and additional parenting resources are available on www.EarlyIsBestNorthTexas.org. If you have questions, call 844-NTX-KIDS.
To read all of the content written by MHMR, click here.
Laura Kender is the chief of Early Childhood Services, a division of My Health My Resources of Tarrant County. Early Childhood Services serves more than 7,000 kids across 12 counties. Laura has more than 25 years experience in early child development.