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Parenting Support Groups

In-Person Groups are Starting Again!

Online Groups Still Running

During the pandemic, we moved our services online. We have begun restarting in-person Groups. Watch here, and on our social media feeds, for updates. Feel free to contact us at office@parentsupportbc.ca if you have any questions. You can also click on our registration form (Under How do I join), and we will be in touch.

What are Parenting Support Groups?

Parenting Support Groups are free, anonymous, and confidential self-help groups providing parents and caregivers with a safe space to share their stories, build communities, learn new skills, receive emotional support and discover new services and resources. The groups offer weekly or bi-weekly meetings and other activities organized by trained volunteer facilitators.

Click here to view all Parenting Support Groups

Testimonials

Testimonials From Parent Support Group Participants and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group Participants

"A place where I can relax and talk about everything I want to and not feel afraid to be judged."
"I can talk about the daily lives of kids because it’s confidential. The Circle is good for learning a lot of how to take care of children."
"We really love our group facilitators. They are wise, kind, caring, convey genuine warmth. They help to be our aunt/older sister + share their knowledge + experience. We really appreciate that."
"New outlook from experienced facilitator; things they say make sense; people listen, it’s real, you share."
"Enthusiastic + knowledgeable/supportive facilitators - wonderful!"
"I am so glad I made it into this circle and can see how/why the 2 facilitators have stayed aboard for so long. They are fantastic and I have so much applause for them."
"Friendly, caring, kind, supportive – a source of information at many levels of need."
"The facilitators are outstanding! When I get my life under control, I'll probably volunteer with this program."
"I deeply appreciate the support from the facilitators, and the people I don't see who have been volunteering their time for this program. I don't have any family in Canada, so I found it very helpful to have a place I can regularly go for support."
"I am grateful to know that such a group exists so close to me and grateful to feel less isolated as a GRG."
"Helped me with listening and learning from others."
"It is good and informative."
"Helped me to understand my grandchild."
"A Lifeline."
"Thank you so much for the picnic you put on. I enjoyed the picnic so much! My grandchildren did too! Such a lovely day and memory. So much effort was put in by so many, I don't know how to thank you properly."
“The training was a very safe and caring environment; everyone was seen and heard.”
“This training built on my personal experience by reassuring and validating my approach to interpersonal relations.”
“The trainers created a very welcoming and inclusive space, encouraged discussion, were very knowledgeable and shared experiences.”
“It was a good learning experience to know and practise how to actually facilitate a group.”
"I definitely find this registry of programs, resources and services for parents in the community extremely helpful--you need to know that your work is valued, appreciated and shared."
“The Village is my parenting bible. I wait for it monthly and give it to my clients, friends, and service providers and of course parents. It advertises all the services that matter to parents, grandparents and caregivers.”
"I would like to take the time to thank you very much for the articles you are sending. They are very informative and helpful. I do pass these articles to the rest of the staff at WorkBC."
"It has given me a place to talk about what’s going on in my life pertaining to being a parent. My frustrations, anxiety, guilt + sometimes joy."
"I can talk about the daily lives of kids because it’s confidential. The Circle is good for learning a lot of how to take care of children."
"I can apply each meeting’s details to my situation with optimism."
"It is good that we can always share different information."
"A great place for understanding how to parent and relieve the stress of parenting."
"Supplied wide range of ideas/experiences to balance perspective."
"Helped me with listening and learning from others."
"It's a loving circle of many interesting parents. Parents there can exchange their ideas and experiences freely."
"This group can help new immigrants with parenting issues such as the appropriate ways to direct children and the parenting skills in western culture."
"I've learned to be more patient with my kids since I started to go to the circle."
"A place where I can relax and talk about everything I want to and not feel afraid to be judged."
"I'm opening up and I can say that my 5 year old daughter knows that there is healing and people care."
"I'm a lot less afraid I am being a bad parent because I know other people are going through the exact same thing."
"A very memorable experience because I learned child disciplining techniques and effective ways of adjusting more quickly to Canadian Culture."
"I don't feel so alone. I have someone (ie the group) to vent frustrations, get validation, and get insight into what is taking place in our home."
"This group has been the most wonderful means of support to me as a mom with frustrations and the bonds developed are very strong and meaningful."
"I've been given SO much by the group. I hope to one day give back by being a volunteer facilitator when my kids are grown."
"I don't feel as alone. I'm not the only one [who] finds this job difficult, and wants to talk about it. This decreases my frustration caused by isolation."
“I like the educational aspect and appreciate learning how to be a better parent.”

FAQ

How do I join?

During the COVID 19 Health Crisis – we are offering Online Support Groups, at different times of the day. To find out more, visit our regional pages, call our toll free number 1-877-345-9777, or click here. You can directly access our registration form here, and we will be in touch.

Please be aware that the Support Group service is not a drop-in program and we do not advertise exact locations or links of Groups for safety and privacy reasons. You will need to call the local PSS phone number for your region or the referral number of a partner agency in your community in order to be referred to a Group. Registration to the Group is very important before you attend. You will be given all the information you need to take the next step in joining a group.

What will happen when I call about a Support Groups?

When you call (or, when you are contacted after filling out our form), you will speak with a staff member of Parent Support Services. Whomever you talk to will ask for some basic information and a convenient time for a facilitator to contact you. We usually ask if we can leave a message in your voicemail if needed. To protect your privacy, you can say no to this.

You will then be referred to a Group facilitator. They will call you within 72 hours to tell you more about the program and the specific group and ask for some more info. The two of you may arrange to meet and talk further before the next meeting, or you may simply be invited to the next meeting.

The most important thing you need to know is that the person on the other end of the phone will appreciate the courage it has taken for you to pick up the phone and say, “I think I need help.”

What will happen when I attend a Support Group?

All Support Groups follow a similar plan but the details for each meeting vary from one Group to another. Many Groups open with each parent or kinship caregiver saying how they are and how their week with their children has been. Participants discuss parenting concerns in the supportive setting provided. One of the most important things about Support Groups is that they respond to the needs expressed by the people who attend them.

What else do I need to know about parenting support groups?

In some communities, Groups operate in various languages. There are also Support Groups for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Kinship Caregivers).

Parent Support Services Society of BC ensures that anyone parenting or caring for children and teens will be comfortable joining a Support Group.

When Groups are running in-person, Parent Support Services is able to provide childcare in most locations and/or a small subsidy to pay for childcare and transportation, if needed. Our objective is to remove the obstacles that might prevent someone from attending a Support Groups.

I’m a Grandparent or other Kinship Caregiver. Are there Support Groups for me?

There are Support Groups specifically for those who are raising their friends or relatives’ children (Kinship Caregivers or Grandparents Raising Grandchildren). Please contact our Kinship Care Help Line, which can give you more information and refer you to a Kinship Care Support Groups.

If there is no group in your area, contact our Provincial Program Director:
604-669-1616 ext.105 
bella_cenezero@parentsupportbc.ca

Language Specific Parent Support Groups

    English

    We offer Parent Support Groups in 7 languages. Currently, we are running group in 7 languages in the Lower Mainland region. Go to your region page to find the contact information for your support group.

    Español

    Ofrecemos círculos de soporte en 7 idiomas. Actualmente, corremos en círculos en 7 idiomas en la región del Bajo Continente. Vaya a la página de su región para encontrar la información de contacto de su círculo de soporte.

    Spanish Circle
    Mondays • 7:00pm • via Zoom
    Fridays • 12:00pm • In-Person (NEW)

    한국어

    7개 언어로 지원 서클을 제공합니다. 현재 Lower Mainland 지역에서 7개 언어로 서클을 운영하고 있습니다. 지역 페이지로 이동하여 지원 서클의 연락처 정보를 찾으십시오.

    Korean Circle
    Mondays • 8:00pm • via Zoom

    普通话

    我们提供 7 种语言的支持圈。 目前，我们正在低陆平原地区以 7 种语言开展活动。 转到您所在地区的页面以查找您的支持圈子的联系信息。

    Mandarin Circle
    Thursdays • 10:00am • via Zoom

    粤语

    我們提供 7 種語言的支持圈。 目前，我們正在低陸平原地區以 7 種語言開展活動。 轉到您所在地區的頁面以查找您的支持圈子的聯繫信息。

    Cantonese Circle
    Fridays • 7:00pm • via Zoom

    Tagalog

    Nag-aalok kami ng mga lupon ng suporta sa 7 wika. Sa kasalukuyan, nagpapatakbo kami ng mga lupon sa 7 wika sa rehiyon ng Lower Mainland. Pumunta sa pahina ng iyong rehiyon upang mahanap ang impormasyon sa pakikipag-ugnayan para sa iyong lupon ng suporta.

    Filipino Circle
    Saturday • 1:00pm • via Zoom

    عربي

    نحن نقدم دوائر دعم بـ 7 لغات. حاليًا ، نحن ندير دوائر بسبع لغات في منطقة البر الرئيسي السفلي. انتقل إلى صفحة المنطقة الخاصة بك للعثور على معلومات الاتصال لدائرة الدعم الخاصة بك.

    Coming soon…

    Punjabi

    Coming soon…

    pss-languages

    GRG/Kinship Facebook group

    Province Wide Service

    The GRG/Kinship Support BC Facebook group provides a larger opportunity for connection, and sharing of resources and information.  Grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship caregivers in BC can join using the link below. This is a private group for kinship caregivers only.

    Join Now

    Parenting Book Clubs

    Province Wide Service

    Are you interested in reading and discussing some of today’s best selling parenting books? Join our parenting book club! The group meets for 8 weeks via Zoom and our Facebook group to discuss, ask questions, and connect with each other.

    Book clubs begin this October 2023!

    Sign up