Why should I try a support group for parents?

A Parent Support Group is a place where you can come to talk about your experiences and gain feedback without being judged or criticized.  The group can help you to develop positive parenting solutions in a respectful environment.  If you yearn for help and support to improve relationships with your children, a Parent Support Group might be the place for you.

How are the groups run?

Parents in the group are in charge of how the group runs this is because Parents are the experts – at least about their own families. Therefore, parents discuss the parenting issues that are most important to them.  A volunteer facilitator and a parent leader help meetings run smoothly.

Will I fit in?

Our parents come from many different backgrounds and for many different reasons. Most new members feel a bit shy or anxious at first. It’s very reassuring to discover you are not the only one who feels that way!

What is the cost of attending a group?

All groups are free. We are funded by CHADD memberships, donations, and fundraising.

Why do parents join a Parent Support Group?

Time for themselves; marital problems; needing someone to talk to; program requirement; crisis involving teenage daughter/son; to lower stress; learn better parenting skills; discipline problems; single parent stress; constant yelling at home;  children who won’t listen; rebellious children; teens who are skipping school; a belief in the myth of the “perfect parent;” and no one to talk to….just for a start.

Is this like a parenting class?

Group meetings focus on the topics and situations that are important to the group’s members and can change from week to week. Group members may learn parenting skills from other parents, but meetings do not follow a curriculum. Many people who are looking for a parenting class find that a support group for parents meets their needs better than a class.

Can I bring my children?

We currently do not have Child Care available. We have found that parents often take comfort in a well-deserved break during 2-hour meetings.

I have a really busy schedule and I might not be able to make it to all of the meetings, can I still join a Parent Support Group?

Come whenever you can you are always welcome. You do not need to RSVP.

What if I can make it but will be a little late?

We start our support group 6:30 and go to 8:30. If you are a little bit late just join in quietly.

Your meeting is at church. Are you going to be talking about religion or faith in your meetings?

No, we are not a religious group and we do not push any beliefs.  We are very grateful to Christ Community Church for allowing us to use their facilities but they understand our position and are excited to have us use their building.

Frankly, it takes a lot of time, energy and funds to maintain and present high quality meetings and programs. We need all the help we can get. You do not need to be a member to volunteer.

So you want to help but have limited time yourself? Here are 10 easy ways for you to help us survive and thrive.

1. Forward emails to your friends who might be interested in our satellite.
2. Business cards from local places you find helpful- that way we can add them to our parent resource guide. Once we get the card we will also send them info about us.
3. Carry and Hand out CHADD business cards- It is a very easy and safe way to spread the word about who we are and what we do. The cards are available at the meetings.
4. Feedback- Give us suggestions about what you want from a meeting. Let us know how we can support you better.
5. Post comments on the website or respond to an e-mail about what you’ve learned from a blog, meeting, speaker, or printed info.
6. Write a brief testimonial- You can e-mail it us or post it to the website.
7. Let us know schedule conflicts. We would like you to come as much as possible as we grow we plan on opening up more times and places. We need to know what works for all members.
8. Donations- We are talking time here. We do appreciated cash donations but time is also just as helpful. We have lots of big, small, short term or even long term things available. You also do not need to be a big meeting-goer or attend at all. If you are interested check out our website or ask at the next meeting.
9. Order books through our online bookstore. We get money for our group for every book that gets ordered. If you see a book that you want or would recommend let us know and we can add it.
10. Join CHADD- our local group receives a good portion of your membership dollars and this is our sole source of revenue. If you are already a members please check your account profile to see if you are part of OR161. If you need help with this let us know. If you are unable to afford a membership and would like to be a member of CHADD please let us know. There is ways we can help.

-Hillsboro CHADD