Resources for Parents

ChildMind.org - Family Resource Center provides information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.

ChildMind.org Parenting Guides

Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing - Free Course from Yale taught by Alan E. Kazdin, PhD, ABPP

• The ABCs : Part 1 - Antecedents & Behaviors | Module 1: 5 hours to complete

• The ABCs: Part 2 - Consequences | Module 2: 5 hours to complete

• Advanced ABCs - Troubleshooting and Adolescents | Module 3: 4 hours to complete

• Special Topics and Conclusions | Module 4: 5 hours to complete

Maryland Patty Centers (Formerly Family Support Centers) - Maryland has a network of 24 Patty Centers (formerly named Family Support Centers) in 14 counties that offer free, educational and health-related services to parents and their children ages birth through three.  

Huckleberry App - Mobile application for tracking Sleep/Feeds/Growth, etc. At Huckleberry Labs, we start with the understanding that every child is unique, and every family is unique. By understanding your child’s specific sleep patterns and profile, we combine the best in data science and pediatric sleep research to identify what is going to work for you. You're in good hands. And we’ll be with you each step of the way. Free version available.

Dr. Becky Kennedy - A clinical psychologist, mother of three, and founder of the breakthrough global parenting community, Good Inside. Dr. Becky has a free podcast series on parenting and various child development topics, and other resources like parenting books, children's books, and workshops on different child topics for a fee. Instagram 

Safe sleep practices are crucial for ensuring the well-being of infants and young children.

Parents can create a safe sleep environment by placing babies on their backs to sleep, on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet, and avoiding loose bedding, pillows, and toys in the crib. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended for the first year of life, as it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Keeping the sleeping area smoke-free and maintaining a comfortable room temperature are also important factors. By following these guidelines, parents can promote safe and sound sleep for their little ones, supporting healthy development and peace of mind.

Below are some useful toolkits, guidelines, and videos on safe sleep.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Safe Sleep Toolkit - A compilation of infographics, articles, videos, and printable posters on safe sleep practices.

• How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained 

• Swaddling: Is it Safe for Your Baby?

• Nationwide Children’s Safe Sleep Practices  

• NIH Safe Sleep Environment for Baby Guidelines

• CDC Parent & Caregiver info on SIDS

VIDEOS

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 5 essentials of safe sleep - Learn these five essential tips to ensure a safe sleep environment for your baby. Follow expert advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics to create a secure and comfortable sleep space for your little one.

• ABC's of Safe Sleep - It's as simple as ABC . . . a baby should always sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.

• Safely Keeping Baby Warm: A Q&A on Bedding, Clothing, & SIDS - Learn how to safely keep babies warm during sleep while also reducing the risk of sleep-related death. Representatives from Safe to Sleep® and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) discuss evidence on overheating, SIDS, and sleep-related death; clearing the crib; using of wearable blankets; and the recent AAP Task Force recommendation to keep babies’ heads uncovered when indoors.

Multigenerational families may have complex dynamics, including differing cultural values, generational gaps, and varying levels of authority and decision-making.

Below are some resources that may benefit family members across generations who hold strong roles as care takers in the household.

• Zero to 3 resources: Provides various resources (handouts) regarding, meal times, screen times, and limit setting. 

• The Grandparent Guide: What’s New? What’s the Same?: A grandparent’s guide to what’s new and what has stayed the same when it comes to caring for babies and toddlers—including challenging behavior, safe sleep, mealtimes, and much more

• If You Only Knew: A Tool for Grandparent Caregivers: Provides a way to think about “sharing the care” across generations and guidance for dialogue about the shared tasks of caregiving.

Taking care of oneself isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity, especially for parents and caregivers who devote so much time and energy to others.

When parents prioritize their own well-being, they're better equipped to handle the challenges of caregiving and parenting. Self-care isn't selfish; it's a vital part of maintaining physical health, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. By taking time to recharge and nurture their own needs, parents can prevent burnout, reduce stress, and set a positive example for their children. Ultimately, self-care enables parents and caregivers to be more present, patient, and effective in their roles, fostering healthier relationships and a more supportive environment for everyone involved.

Below are some helpful resources and guides to assist in your self care.

• Child Mind Institute: Why Self-Care Is Essential to Parenting. Caring for children with intense needs can take an emotional (and physical) toll on parents.
  In Spanish/Espanol.

• Self Care for Parents: Ideas for meeting your physical, mental, emotional. social, and intellectual needs.

• Yale School of Medicine 5 Strategies for Self Care

• Parent Regulation Cheat Sheet -  While this article is written about parents of children with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), the tips for self-regulation are good for all parents.

Parenting Podcasts

• The Mom Hour: Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers host The Mom Hour, a podcast that delves into the joys and challenges of motherhood. They cover a variety of topics relevant to moms of all ages and stages, from pregnancy and newborns to teens and tweens.

• The Modern Dads Podcast: The Modern Dads Podcast explores the changing role of fathers in today's society. Hosted by a group of dads from the City Dads Group, the podcast covers parenting, relationships, work-life balance, and more from a dad's perspective.

• Pregnancy Confidential: Produced by TheBump.com, Pregnancy Confidential is a series of episodes that guide expectant parents through each week of pregnancy. Hosted by journalist Jeanne Faulkner, the podcast provides expert advice, insights, and personal stories to help parents-to-be navigate the journey to parenthood.

• Peds Doc Talk Podcasts with Dr. Mona Amin: Episodes include interviews with experts in the field of Pediatrics, answering questions directly from parents, and parenting mindset coaching to get YOU the most out of your parenting journey.

• What the Fresh Hell: Hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson, What Fresh Hell offers humorous takes on the challenges of parenting in general. The podcast covers topics like sibling rivalry, picky eating, and managing screen time with practical tips and relatable anecdotes. This podcast is NOT focused on pregnancy, infancy, or toddlerhood issues but provides takes on parenting challenges in general.

Finding developmentally appropriate activities for your children can be challenging, let us help! Visit our Community Events page to find local family/child friendly activities and events in your area.

Babies (Birth - 1 year)

• Parents.com 11 Activities for Babies 0 to 6 Months Old

• UNICEF: 21 Learning Activities for babies and toddlers

Toddlers (1+)

• Busy Toddler by Susie Allison, M. Ed.

  • Website: https://busytoddler.com; Instagram

• The Inspired Treehouse:  We are pediatric occupational and physical therapists who are passionate about sharing information, tips, and strategies to help readers conquer the common developmental roadblocks that come up for kids.  We believe that the more parents, teachers, and caregivers know about child development and wellness, the better off kids are!

  • FREE Printable Handouts

    • Fine Motor | Gross Motor | Sensory Processing | Self Regulation | And more!

Older Children (5+)

• National Geographic Kids Games

• Reading/Literacy Development

  • Reading Rockets Literacy at Home

  • Scholastic Literacy Games on the go - Word games not only help your child build vocabulary and form sentences, but they also help solidify your bond and create a positive, shared learning experience with your little one.

  • Katie Roltgen Teaching - 35 Free & Fun Literacy Games to help kids with reading.