Building a Supportive Social Network
Parents Helping Parents - stress line (1-800-632-8188) and parent support groups
Early Childhood Resource Centers and organizations supported by Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grants - provide playgroups, events, educational resources, and parenting advice to local families
North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network - serves Lynnfield, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester
Communities United Inc. - serves Arlington, Burlington, Lexington, Needham, Waltham, Wellesley, and Woburn
Free weekly new moms support groups, breastfeeding support groups, visiting mothers volunteer program
Parenting Journey Somerville - programs to increase parents' confidence and capabilities
Family Ties of Massachusetts - provides information and support to families of children with special needs
Website has links to many useful resources
Offer playgroups, children and parent events
Parent to Parent - Winchester
Cobblestones in Waltham - offer new moms groups, playgroups, and developmental check-ins
The Friedman Center at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in Newton
Have multiple parent groups as well as classes on topics such as infant sleep and baby sign language
Baby/Children’s Consignment Stores and Sales:
Stores
Two Little Monkeys, Somerville
Apple of My Eye, Melrose
The Little Fox, Arlington
Itsy Bitsy Thrifty, Billerca
Sister Thrift, Burlington
Liena's, Winchester
Sales and Swaps
Boston Babies Clothing Swaps - held monthly at an alternating site in Jamaica Plain and Somerville
City of Melrose Annual Swap Day
Massachusetts Mothers of Twins Association annual sales in the spring and fall with great supply of gently used baby and children’s items held in Winchester
North Suburban Mothers of Multiples Association Annual Double the Stuff sale
LexFun annual sale in Lexington
Nashua Valley Moms annual spring sale in Chelmsford
Watertown Family Network annual clothing exchange
Parent Talk semi-annual sale in Needham
Roberts Elementary Tag Sale in Medford
Children’s Drop and Shop annual sales in fall and spring
Also check local Facebook yard sale pages
Libraries:
Find out about events for children at public libraries in the area. Events include story times, summer reading programs, and music for kids. Most of these events are posted to our Recurrent Local Children's Events Google Calendar available for members.
· Wakefield Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
· NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
On-line catalog of materials available at 28 area libraries, as well as on-line book renewal and account information capabilities.
Media Resources - Social and Old School:
Mommybites Boston - has an email list with event announcements, including free parenting webinars
Mommy Poppins - has an event calendar and lots of relevant blog posts (on things like the best neighborhood parks and indoor play spaces, things to do in nearby cities like Providence and Portland, how to save money at local attractions, etc.)
Parents of Tots - closed group for members only
Car Seats for the Littles - certified car seat safety technicians are available to answer questions about installation and offer suggestions for car seats based on your car's make and model
Community pages: Real Moms of Melrose, Melrose Community Group, Stoneham Parents, Stoneham Mamas, Wakefield Community Group, Malden Young Families, Moms of Camberville Facebook groups by children's ages, Medford Moms
Big Tent Groups
Parent Fitness:
Other:
Have something to add? Please email pot.president@gmail.com to have your recommendation added to this site!