Parenting is the most difficult job anyone will ever have! The Secret is . . . . .

...To get help when you need it and don’t be afraid to ask for it. The Florida Parent Help Line is an excellent source for additional information on parenting. You can call 1-800-FLA-LOVE any time, day or night, for free, confidential help.

211 Get Connected. Get Answers. If you need non-emergency help, just call 211 in Seminole County for resources to support Children & Families. Alternate Number: 407-839-HELP.

What you put into any relationship is what you can expect to get back. Kids are like sponges - give them good messages and they will absorb them.

Anything you do to support children and parents in your community helps strengthen families and reduce the likelihood of child maltreatment.

Keep the promises you make to your kids and they will begin to do the same!

Help make your community better for children.

Children do well when their families do well, and families do better when they live in supportive communities. Do you want to contribute to the well being of youth and families in your community but are not sure how? Here are some simple ways...

In your Neighborhood: Know your neighbors. Introduce yourself & your family to your neighbors. Know their names & the names of their children. Families feel safer & less stressed when they know support is nearby. Keep your neighborhood safe. Offer to pick up your neighbor’s mail when they are out of town & let them know you can keep an eye on their home. Report burned out street lights to the city to avoid dark places in your neighborhood. Mentor a new parent. Sometimes families receive a lot of support when the baby first arrives but little support after the first few months, which can leave a new parent feeling overwhelmed. Check-in often with a new parent. Sometimes just holding or changing the baby will allow the new mom or dad to shower or fold laundry. Offer support to families in need. Instead of telling a parent to call you if they need anything, offer to make dinner, help with chores or baby-sit their children on a specific day. A little extra help from a neighbor can ease the demands of parenting.

In your Community: Reach out to those in your community. A wave, a smile or a kind word can make a passerby’s day a bit brighter. Be a good role model. Parents are always looking for new parenting techniques and you can help them by setting a good example. Celebrate children. Smile at a child and praise them for doing something well. It will make a parent feel good about their parenting. Be active in your community. Help parents feel supported by starting or participating in playgroups for families at community centers, libraries or schools. This prevents isolation and contributes to healthy child development. Volunteer your time.