You may not think that your kids care about what you say. Research, however shows that parents have more influence over their children than they may realize. Your teens are listening to what you say and watching how you live your life. Parents are urged to remain involved and engaged in their teen's future to help their children succeed.
Parent Stressline The Parent Stressline is a 14-hour, 7-day a week listening service staffed by trained parent advocates. It is available to parents and caretakers who are experiencing stress or who just need someone to listen. An essential service offered by the Parent Stressline is the promise of anonymity and confidentiality. Stressline is available 8:00am to 10:00pm daily by calling, (608) 241-2221.
Family United Network (F.U.N.) Parents in the F.U.N. Program participate in weekly parent support groups in which they may discuss the current issues in their lives that are or could potentially affect their parenting. Parents often come to this program due to feelings of isolation, a desire to parent differently than they were parented, mental health issues in themselves or their children, and/or they are parenting a child with special needs. Childcare is provided for children under 5. Call (608) 241-4888.
Parenting with Love and Logic Love and Logic is a parenting philosophy founded by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. Parents can apply it immediately to a wide range of situations. The basis for the philosophy is that children learn the best lessons when they're given a task and allowed to make their own choices (and fail) when the cost of failure is still small. Children's failures must be coupled with love and empathy from their parents and teachers. Occasionally seminars are offered at local churches, schools, and businesses. Search for Parenting with Love & Logic Wisconsin.
Joining Forces for Families (JFF) The Joining Forces for Families program encourages cooperation between agencies in caring for families. JFF teams work to meet the needs of children and families by helping with basic needs such as housing, employment, food and clothing. Services are also offered in the following areas: problem solving, advocacy, resource referral, and counseling. Call (608) 846-9603.
Community Action Coalition The Community Action Coalition is a group of nonprofit organizations that work together to help low-income people and families in Dane County. The Coalition assists people through a clothing center, community gardens, financial assistance, housing case management, and Koats for Kids. Call (608) 246-4730.
United Way Parenting Portal Useful parenting tips organized by both age groups and categories (i.e. Health, Discipline, Learning). There is also a link to local resources. Call (608) 246-4350.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Dane County - Mental Illness Support Family support group for caregivers of children with mental illness. 7:00 - 8:30p.m 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Call (608) 249-7188.
Moms Together Moms Together is a faith-based group in DeForest for any mom at any stage. Includes social time and book study. Call (608) 222-8586.
Parents Place A weekly, drop-in group for parents designed to provide support and discussion on a variety of topics. Groups meet every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Center for Families, 2120 Fordem Ave., Madison, WI. Call (608) 729-1141.
Talking With Kids The Kaiser Family Foundation and Children Now have launched a national campaign to encourage parents and give them tools to talk to their kids early and often about tough issues like sex, drugs, alcohol, AIDS, violence, and terrorism. Their site offers a checklist of "10 Tips for Talking With Your Kids About Tough Issues." In addition, each of the five Tough Issues offers a substantive list of advice for parents.
Parenting Teens Parenting Teens is an online publication for parents of teens featuring articles and columns written by parents and professionals, a bulletin board, a chat room, an email parenting support group, a bookstore, and more.