Parent Support Program

Winner: PEPS
If it takes a village to raise a child, imagine what raising a parent takes! Readers love the learning and support they draw from the PEPS 12-week program in which new parents are matched with a facilitator and other new parents from their neighborhood to take those first wobbly steps of parenthood together. “It gives you people who are in your shoes that you can talk with. It is a wonderful support system!” says one fan. Perhaps best of all, the rewards of PEPS connections continue well beyond those initial weeks: “PEPS has been and continues to be a big part of my life. After 16 years, we are still meeting with our PEPS group. I would vote over and over for PEPS if I could.”

Finalists:
Sarina Behar Natkin and Melissa Benaroya of Grow Parenting are licensed clinical social workers, certified Gottman educators and certified Positive Discipline parent educators. Their mission is to help families raise healthy children and experience more joy while doing it. Says a reader, “Melissa and Sarina are outstanding speakers — they are a fantastic community resource. I have had friends who have seen them for coaching, and they have helped a ton!”
 
Children’s sleep consultant Rebecca Michi rates as another favorite parent resource, one who supports the community of mothers in Seattle with both free sleep consultations and one-on-one paid consultant work. “Baby sleep issues can be detrimental to parents and children — Rebecca is a great resource to get everyone happy, healthy and on track for a good night’s sleep.”

Listening Mothers connects an online community of expectant moms, parents, grandparents, extended families and friends in the shared goal of “nurturing powerful relationships between parents and their children.” Readers love the two programs Listening Mothers offers in the greater Seattle area for parents of young children. As one reader shares, the program provides “down-to-earth, honest conversation amongst moms with newborns.”