Parenting Groups
Connections' parenting groups offers a range of support for healthy family development to parents and caregivers.
We want to support you in your role as a parent or caregiver.
What is a parenting group?
Parenting groups are scheduled, structured gatherings of parents and caregivers, experiencing similar moments in their children's lives. As your child reaches new milestones, gains new abilities and emotions, and as your family faces new moments together, parenting groups offer a place to reflect.
In our parenting groups, we believe you are the expert on your own child. Our groups are a place where you can hear evidence-based information around how to support yourself and your family from trained Facilitators, as well as hear the experiences of other parents and share your own. Together, parents and caregivers collectively explore how they apply to your own child and family.
Why join a parenting group at Connections?
Our groups cover topics from positive parenting to going to school to child development and self-regulation. Every group is a blend of evidence-based parenting strategies and space for parents to share their own knowledge and experiences. These groups can give you new or different information, new ideas to try, and support from your peers. They won't solve all your problems, but they can help you clarify them and learn that you are not alone.
All our groups are based on the philosophy that your children are valued and deserve the respect and dignity that we, as adults, deserve and expect.
Parenting groups can help you:
- Take care of yourself and feel seen as a parent or caregiver
- Discover new tools for your parenting toolbox
- Understand what your child's behavior is trying to tell you
- Understand your child's developmental needs
- Connect with other parents/caregivers
- Reflect on your parenting
- With tips, information, and support for parenting-related questions
FAQs
Attendance
While attendance at every parenting group session is not mandatory, our groups are designed to be offered over consecutive weeks as consistent attendance enhances the experience for everyone. We ask that if you are going to miss a session that you let the Centre know as soon as possible so we can schedule our childcare accordingly. To contact the Centre you can call 519-252-9696.
Childcare offered
Connections wants to support you in being able to participate in our parenting groups, which is why during most of our groups, care is provided for your children by Registered Early Childhood Educators and trained staff and volunteers in our EarlyON space [link to page]. We also focus on ensuring we are providing an enriching experience for your children, which can be a great opportunity for them to engage with other children. Our groups take place in our upstairs meeting room so you will always be onsite, and our staff are always happy to spend a few minutes with you and answer any questions you have about your child’s experience.
Communications
Once you have registered your interest for a parenting group, we will call you at least a week before the group starts to confirm your attendance and to answer any questions you may have. You can check the “announcements” section of this page for information related to your group (i.e. a weather cancellation).
What to expect
In all our parenting groups, you can expect to support other parents with your experience and knowledge, and be supported in return (if you ask for advice or suggestions). We keep what is said in the group confidential and respect the privacy of others. Know that parents will make choices you don’t agree with, and that people in the group will be at different stages, but we respect each person’s right to opinions and feelings.
What groups are happening now?
Connections offers evidence-based parenting groups for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-6. Groups take place weekly over the course of six to eight weeks.
We announce our groups in our seasonal schedule. Parenting groups at Connections are offered at no cost, and most groups include childcare.
If you would like to request a parenting group, please let us know:
