Birth
BirthWorks provides programs to promote safe and
loving birth experiences through education, introspection and
confident action.
Canadian Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Given the evidence that
permanent emotional damage -- deficient capacities for trust,
empathy and affection -- can be inflicted relatively easily during
the very early years of life, CSPCC’s concern is with
ignorance of, or indifference to, the emotional needs of very young
children. CSPCC believes that most parents are willing and able to
provide their infants and toddlers with the care they have been
biologically programmed to need – when they receive the
necessary support. CSPCC is working toward higher status for
parenting, greater support for parents with young children,
increased emphasis on trust, empathy and affection in the adult
world, and vastly improved preparation for parenthood.
The Natural Child
Project.A nonprofit organization founded by Jan Hunt, with
extensive resources on its website. Its objective is “to
help parents to understand the critical importance of the earliest
years of childhood, and to provide the kinds of information and
encouraging support they need to treat their children with
unconditional love and respect.”
Raising
Teens: A Synthesis of Research and a Foundation for Action by
A. Rae Simpson. This report from the Harvard University Center for
Health Communication is an important study that provides a
synthesis of major research findings on the parenting of
adolescents. This well-organized report includes an overview of the
developmental changes that occur in adolescence, and it outlines
five basic of parenting teens: (1) love and connect, (2) monitor
and observe, (3) guide and limit, (4) model and consult, and (5)
provide and advocate.
Search Institute
is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to
provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy
children, youth, and communities. To accomplish this mission, the
institute generates and communicates new knowledge, and brings
together community, state, and national leaders.
Talaris Research Institute
Talaris Research Institute is dedicated to discovering how children
think, feel and learn. From birth to age five, a child observes,
experiments, and begins to understand the world — a learning
experience unmatched by any other.
Alliance for Transforming the Lives of
Children. This organization is dedicated to the synergistic
marshalling of resources and connections to support parents,
caregivers, professionals, and policymakers in practicing the art
and science of nurturing children.
Attachment Parenting
International. API advocates attachment parenting methods to
develop and fulfill a child’s need for trust, empathy and
affection to create secure relationships.
Dads and
Daughters is a national non-profit organization that provides
tools to strengthen father-daughter relationships, reinforce our
daughters' values, and helps families help girls to realize their
dreams.
La Leche League,
International. LeLeche League International provides support
and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers, as well as a wealth of
information on the subject. Regular support meetings can lead to
the development of friendships, as well as contacts for playgroups
and babysitting co-ops.
Mocha Moms. Mocha Moms is a
support group for mothers of color who have chosen not to work
full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their
families. Local chapters focus on supporting each other and on
supporting their communities through service projects.
MOMS Club. Local support
groups meet during the day, are non-sectarian, and welcome all
at-home mothers and their children. They offer speakers and
discussion topics, family parties, playgroups, baby-sitting co-ops,
special activity groups, community service projects, and more. For
information about MOMS Clubs in your area or for help in starting a
group, send $2.00 to: International MOMS Club, 464 Madera Rd., #N
191, Simi Valley, CA 93065.
MOPS International. MOPS (Mothers of
PreSchoolers) provides fellowship of mothers with young children,
offering a nurturing, caring environment with a spiritual focus.
Meetings follow the school calendar. Moms share information, have
small group discussion time, and learn a craft, while children play
nearby with supervision.
Mothering. A magazine that
celebrates the experience of parenthood as worthy of one's best
efforts and fosters awareness of the immense importance and value
of parenthood and family life in the development of the full human
potential.
Mothers & More. A
national support and advocacy group for women who have altered
their career paths in order to care for their children at home.
Local chapters sponsor regular meetings, playgroups, babysitting
co-ops, and more.
National Association of
Mothers’ Centers (NAMC). NAMC is a non-profit umbrella
organization which includes 50 Mother’s Centers across the
country. Local centers sponsor workshops, seminars, groups, and
special events and serve as a place where mothers can come together
with other mothers and members of the professional community to
explore the experience of becoming and being mothers.
National Center
for Fathering (www.fathers.com) is a non-profit organization
who's mission is to inspire and prepare men to be better fathers.
Founded in 1990 by Dr. Ken Canfield to conduct research on
fathering and to develop practical resources for dads in nearly
every fathering situation.
National
Fatherhood Initiative (www.fatherhood.org) is a non-profit,
non-sectarian, non-partisan organization. It conducts public
awareness campaigns promoting responsible fatherhood, organizes
conferences and community fatherhood forums, provides resource
material to organizations seeking to establish support programs for
fathers, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and disseminates
informational material to men seeking to become more effective
fathers.
Nurture by Nature Network.
a national nonprofit member-based organization dedicated to helping
families with the myriad of choices in maternity care and child
rearing. Providing local and national arena for families to meet
and support one another, while offering education, natural birth
and parenting support, and resource and referral services.
Slowlane.com is the online
resource for Stay-At-Home Dads (SAHD) and their families.
Established as a reference, resource and network to assist fathers
who have made (or are considering) the decision to stay home and
raise their children.
Campaign For A
Commercial-Free Childhood. A national coalition of health care
professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents who
counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through
action, advocacy, education, research, and collaboration among
organizations and individuals who care about children. We support
the rights of children to grow up – and the rights of
parents to raise them – without being undermined by rampant
consumerism.
Hardwired to Connect. A
distinctive and creative new report, “Hardwired To Connect:
The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities,”
combines data from unique and diverse sources to come to a deeper
understanding of children’s needs and ways to meet them.
Released September 2003, it was sponsored by the YMCA of the USA,
Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values. The
report was prepared by the Commission on Children at Risk: 33
prominent and innovative neuroscientists, children’s
doctors, and social scientists who study civil society, as well as
youth service professionals. In addition to acknowledging the
litany of negative symptoms seen in children, the report places
greater emphasis on how we as a society are thinking about these
problems. It claims that we are putting most of our problem-solving
emphasis on medications, psychotherapies, and special programs for
“at risk” children, while ignoring a much larger
problem: broad environmental conditions that are significant
contributors to children’s suffering today. The report
claims, “In large measure, what’s causing this crisis
of American childhood is a lack of connectedness. We mean two kinds
of connectedness – close connections to other people, and
deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning.”
Institute for American
Values. The Institute for American Values, founded in 1987, is
a private, nonpartisan organization devoted to contributing
intellectually to the renewal of marriage and family life and the
sources of competence, character, and citizenship. Accordingly,
Institute activities are more than debates about policy - they are
also conversations about culture and explorations of the American
idea.
Motherhood Project --
Working to Promote a Mothers' Renaissance. Fresh thinking,
discussion, and activism by mothers about motherhood and mothering,
and about who mothers are, what we do, our importance to our
children, families, and society, and our potential as catalysts for
cultural and social change for the benefit of children and
families. The Motherhood Project is sponsored by the Institute for
American Values in New York City, a private, nonpartisan
organization with a strong track record in bringing together
diverse leaders and scholars to address important emerging issues
related to children, families, and civil society. See their 2005
report, "The Motherhood Study: Fresh Insights on Mothers' Attitudes
and Concerns." By Martha Farrell Erickson and Enola G. Aird. See
also: “Watch
Out for Children: A Mothers’ Statement” -- the
Motherhood Project’s report on the increasingly powerful
influence of advertising and marketing in shaping children’s
values.
The Center for a New American
Dream. This non-profit organization is dedicated to helping
Americans change the way they consume, to improve the quality of
life, protect the environment, and promote social justice.
Center for Media
Education is a national non-profit organization dedicated to
creating a quality electronic media culture for children and youth,
their families and the community. All CME publications are posted
on its web site.
TV-Turnoff
Network encourages children and adults to watch much less
television in order to promote healthier lives and communities. It
sponsors an annual National TV Turnoff Week and provides
information for organizing a TV free week with your family, school,
library or community.
Center for Media
Literacy is a non-profit membership organization that develops
and distributes educational programs and materials that promote
critical thinking about the media.
A
Parents' Guide to the Internet has information regarding
keeping Internet access safe for children.
Family Friendly Jury Duty
(www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org) tracks state laws regarding
optional jury duty deferral for parents and caregivers. Works with
volunteers who are trying to get legislation passed in states that
do not excuse parents from jury duty.
Thomas:
Legislative Information on the Internet (thomas.loc.gov) is
the Library of Congress's on-line service providing information
about bills in Congress. The home page features the option to
search by either bill number or key word(s), such as "child care".
Sidelines
(www.sidelines.org/) is a national, non-profit organization
with a network of support groups across the country for women and
their families experiencing complicated pregnancies.
Mayo Clinic
(www.mayoclinic.org) from the renowned medical research
institute. Pregnancy and Child Health Resource Center has library
of reference articles. Pose questions to the clinics physicians
(though only about fifteen are answered each month). Health and
nutrition information. Also has a wealth of information in the
archives.
Resolve
(www.resolve.org) assists people in resolving their
infertility by providing information, support, and advocacy. Site
includes list of local chapters.
American Dentistry
Association (www.ada.org) web site has helpful information
regarding parents and children's dental concerns.
Food Allergy
Network (www.foodallergy.org) is a resource for families
dealing with food allergies, including practical suggestions in
dealing with common problems for children and adults.
National Center
for Children and Youth with disabilities (NICHCY) is the
national information and referral center that provides information
on disabilities and disability-related issues for families,
educators, and other professionals. The focus is children and young
adults (birth to age 22).
KidsInDanger (www.KidsInDanger.org) is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of children from
dangerous juvenile products, the site has information on recalled
child's products.
Consumer Product
Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) includes information on
product recalls.
Adoption
www.adoption.com has registries which may be
searched by state, category, or keyword. Information for parents
looking to adopt, adoptees searching for family, birthmothers who
have an unplanned pregnancy, and professionals who want to help
more people.
Comeunity
has adoption resources, especially regarding special needs
children.
AdoptionSearch is an adoption-focused search
engine.
Marriage Movement.
Embracing a diversity of beliefs and opinions, this grass roots
movement brings people together to strengthen marriage. On their
website, read thoughtful discussions about marriage and public
policy, and find links to organizations throughout the website that
offer marriage education and counseling.
Retrouvaille (www.retrouvaille) is the name of a
program designed to help, heal and renew marriages. The program
offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving
relationship in your marriage. The web site offers information on
program, as well as links to other marriage sites.
The
Frugal Family Network's goal is to communicate a message of
increased security and personal power which can be achieved by
adopting a frugal, simpler, more traditional lifestyle. Includes a
sample of their newsletter, tips, testimonials and links to other
frugal sites.
The Simple Living
Network is a small home-based business that provides resources
and free community services that may help you live a more simple
lifestyle.
Miserly
Moms provides tips and resources to help people (especially
moms) get the tools that their family needs to spend more time
together. Site includes tips, recipes, success stories, and many
links to other resouces.
Alternatives
for Simple Living started in 1973 as a protest against the
commercialization of Christmas. They emphasize relationships and
traditions over things, encourage the avoidance of stress and debt,
and promote alternative giving.
Please see also "Center for a New American Dream" in the
Cultural Influences/Media section above.
Beware of scams -- working at home business deals, telephone,
online, others. Check out the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org/) and the
National Consumer League's Internet Fraud Watch (www.fraud.org/)
Home-Based Working
Moms (HBWM) (www.hbwm.com/) provides its members with support,
networking, information, a monthly (print) newsletter, member's
listserv, panel of experts, member's showcase on the web, publicity
opportunities, membership directory, and more.
eWorking
Women includes information on how to plan, start and succeed in
your own online business; find legitimate work-at-home
opportunities; at-home job resources and home business ideas.
Entrepreneurial
Parent (www.en-parent.com) is an interactive online community
of parents on the home career track. Features include expert
Q&As, articles, forums, member profiles, newsletter, resource
centers and more, covering topics from home office design to
work-family transitions to low-cost marketing to childcare.
Work at Home Moms
(www.wahm.com) has links with home businesses, a book room,
networking. Spanish version available.
Mothers'
Home Business Network (www.homeworkingmom.com) provides ideas,
inspiration and support for mothers who choose to work at home.
Includes mentoring and Q & A online.
The mission of SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. is
to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a
baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death. The web site
offers chat rooms, message boards, and information on local and
regional support groups across the country.
SIDS
Alliance (www.sidsalliance.org) is a national, non-profit,
voluntary health organization dedicated to the support of families
dealing with SIDS, education and research.
The Compassionate
Friends (www.compassionatefriends.org) assists families toward
the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of
any age and provides information to help others be supportive. Web
site offers help through grief articles, brochures, chat lines,
information on special events, and a locator for the nearly 600 TCF
chapters across the United States.
Postpartum Support International
(www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum/) has a bulletin board, resources,
support for fathers, a bibliography, and more.
Depression after Delivery (behavenet.com) is a
non-profit organization that provides support to women as well as
educational materials and referrals for women and families coping
with mental health issues associated with childbearing, both during
pregnancy and postpartum.
The National Home
Education Network exists to encourage and facilitate the vital
grassroots work of state and local homeschooling groups and
individuals by providing information, fostering networking and
promoting public relations on a national level. The site includes
legislative news, support, and resources.
Home
Education Magazine (www.home-ed-magazine.com/) has information
about their magazine, free e-mail service, online library, laws and
regulations for all 50 states, support group listings, back issues
of their free online newsletter, a unique collection of
Homeschooling Resource Files, and more. The site also has
information about the American Homeschooling Association (AHA)
(www.home-ed-magazine.com/AHA/aha.html).
Home School Legal
Defense Association (www.hslda.org) is a Christian-based
organization that advocates for the right of all families to home
school regardless of religious affiliation. The web site offers a
variety of information on home schooling including publications,
providers of curriculums and current home schooling issues. The
site also has a book store.
National Home
Education Research Institute (www.nheri.org). The goal of this
institute is to provide high quality research on home education;
serve as a clearinghouse of research for home educators,
researchers and policymakers; and educate the public concerning the
findings of all research on home education.
Alternative Learning Exchange (ALE)
(www.alternative-learning.org) has "information about and
connections to a variety of alternative learning environments which
appreciate and respect children."
Growing Without
Schooling (www.holtgws.com) has information about homeschooling
and the work of John Holt; homeschooling FAQ, bookstore, and "tools
and ideas for independent learning."
The National Center
for Learning Disabilities provides national leadership in
support of children and adults with learning disabilities by
providing information, resources, and referral services; developing
and supporting innovative educational programs, seminars, and
workshops; conducting a public awareness campaign; and advocating
for more effective policies and legislation to help individuals
with learning disabilities.
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