Helpful Websites for Parents

• www.mercyweb.org/hugs: HUGS, the hippo, provides visitors with complete health-care information. There are articles and advice for children ailments, news stories, services to help you find a physician and a direct link to a nurse at Mercy Children’s Hospital.
• www.stlukeshospital.com: St. Luke’s Hospital offers a information on various health topics, including illnesses, pregnancy, parenting and women’s health. The site also has a list of programs, like “For Dad’s Only,” and a family e-zine, an online magazine.
• www.aap.org: The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights new findings related to family health. The group’s site suggests parenting books, resources and a “parenting corner” for getting questions answered on a variety of health topics.
• www.askbaby.com: Gives free advice on a variety of baby questions from crying to carseats. There are also surveys and recomendations on new products, toys and books.
• www.babycenter.com: This site has everything for your baby from preconception through the toddler years. Mothers can track their baby week by week with free newsletters. There is a full baby store with tested products and special offers. The site also has articles on topics from A-Z, the community, reviews and recalls.
• www.4parentsnetwork.com: This Web site has a host of navigational tools for all ages and stages of parenting. Learn more about pregnancy, parenting, business and career paths, educating your child, women’s interests and spirituality. Free parenting e-books, newsletters and contests.
• www.lalecheleague.org: This site explains in different languages the importance of breast-feeding. It also tells what’s new and gives currents events, phone numbers and meeting information for the La Leche League of Toledo and Northwest Ohio.
• www.toysafety.net: The National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups gives you tips on potentially hazaradous toys and offers recommendations.

Parent Groups

• Family Information Network of Northwest Ohio: (419) 242-9587 ext. 218
  This organization serves parents of children with developmental disabilities. Services include support-group sessions and one-on-one counseling. A parent-mentoring program is offered so parents can share their knowledge and experience with new parents of developmentally delayed or disabled children.
• Friendly Center Inc.: (419) 243-1289
  The center offers services to parents living in the 43604, 43608 and 43611 zip codes, in the north end near downtown Toledo. There are several weekly parenting discussion groups to teach parents techniques and skills. Topics discussed are developmental issues, disciplinary problems and educational changes. The center also provides an early-start group designed for younger and lower-income parents with children under the age of 3. Resources are also available for parents needing early intervention for developmentally delayed children.
• Children’s Resource Center: (419) 352-7588 or (888) 466-5437
  Parenting education is available to Wood County mothers and fathers. Instruction can be given in groups or one-on-one at home. A 10-week program covering topics such as basic infant care, child safety, behavior management and healthy emotional development in children, is provided for young parents (under 24) and their children under 4. The center also sponsors popular parent/infant and toddler play groups, one-hour long in eight-week sessions. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale. In addition, a rental program supplies infant and toddler car seats for a nominal fee. CRC also hosts state-supported vision and hearing clinics throughout the year.
• Preparation for Parenthood: (419) 291-5666 or www.promedica.org
  The Center for Women’s Health Preparation for Parent-hood (part of The Toledo Hospital and Flower Hospital) offers classes in many aspects of parenting, including Lamaze, prenatal low-impact aerobic exercise, preparation for breast-feeding, infant safety and CPR, sibling class for 3- to 10-year-olds, and infant massage. Mom’s Support Group Meetings for mothers and their babies are the second and fourth Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. Mothers talk about relationship issues, stress and time management, parenting styles and baby care.
• MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International: www.gospelcom.net/mops
  MOPS gives moms achance to meet and share the joys and frustrations of motherhood in a Christian setting. Most groups invite speakers, share food together and do an optional craft. There are more than a dozen MOPS groups in the Toledo area. All meeting locations can be found on the Web site.
• Mother’s Center of Greater Toledo: www.motherscenter.net
  Part of a national, social and networking organization, moms meet weekly at McCord Road Christian Church on Thursday mornings to hear speakers talk about a variety of topics. A co-op babysitting arrangement is on-site for infants through preschoolers. The center also encourages social outings and mother-child play sessions. They welcome everyone from newly expectant to veteran moms looking for friendship, parenting ideas, intellectual stimulation or a social outlet.
• Toledo Mothers of Twins Club: (419) 472-5032
  Programs, support hotline, clothing sales in the fall and spring and special events. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month, September through May, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at The Toledo Hospital, 2142 North Cove Blvd.