It's rare to see modern folks coexisting in a supportive community, giving and gaining from a well-connected group of people with whom they share common values or goals. My family and I are fortunate to have such a rare and nurturing support network through our neighborhood church community.
For many Americans, however, meeting the needs of the immediate family is hard enough, so connecting with a larger community seems overwhelming or perhaps even a luxury.—-
Taking the advice of a good friend, I became familiar with utilizing local online parenting and family resource discussion boards such as Mamasource or Momslikeme as a means of gaining support for one of the hardest jobs out there: being a good parent. These online resources are free and easy to join and provide advice and forums on parenting issues spanning from potty training to how to talk with your teen about sex, resources such as local playgroups or moms groups and general networking opportunities.
Stay-at-home and working parents alike glean advice and direction for their families using such communities. My personal favorite is Mamasource, which is useful for parents with young children and teens alike. I have consulted this discussion board for advice on how to get my 2-year-old to transition into a better sleep routine (good luck to me!) and other questions specific to his current stage and needs.
Branching out and seeking parenting support just makes since. After all, many people have either done it before or have similar questions and needs.
