Best Online Parent Groups

You’ve probably heard the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child—but it also takes a village to be a parent. Having a village of other parents to answer your questions, swap parenting stories with and generally find support in is an invaluable resource in the parenting journey.

Parenting can be tough sometimes, and parenting during a pandemic? Even tougher. Lots of parent groups operate both locally and nationwide (sometimes internationally!), and while some local groups may be operating at a smaller capacity, plenty of others have moved online, so you can get the support you need from the comfort of your couch (and PJs).

There are a lot of parent groups out there, from casual chats to support for specific parenting needs. Here are some that operate virtually, as well as resources to help you find groups in your local community.

Online Parent Support Groups

Tinyhood Circle

From the same people who bring you expert-led online childbirth classes, breastfeeding instruction and infant care courses comes a virtual community for all parents and caregivers. From general discussions and events to pediatrician reviews and gear swapping, Tinyhood Circle allows parents to be a part of a supportive parenting community for free. You can join existing groups or create your own, and it’s accessible via the website or app. It’s like the Meetup.com of the parenting world.

Mama Meetups by MOPS

If you haven’t heard of MOPS, it stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and is an international community for moms with kids of all ages. Mama Meetups is their way of virtually connecting their community members from across the globe. No matter where you are or what kind of mom you are (single, working, mom of a disabled child, etc.), there’s a Mama Meetup to find support in. You can even apply to start your own Mama Meetup to help other moms find their niche.

Peanut

Peanut is the only social media app specifically for moms. And it’s not just for experienced moms, either—even if you haven’t started your pregnancy or parenting journey yet, Peanut is the place to build a social network around fertility, TTC, pregnancy, adoption and every stage of motherhood. They offer a safe space for friendships, groups, chatrooms and community support, all on your phone.

Facebook Groups

You can find or create a Facebook group for just about anything under the sun, including groups like Coronavirus Parents for anyone trying to raise children during the pandemic (hosted by ParentsTogether, a nonprofit organization). Your favorite baby brands or parenting philosophies most likely have a group too. Most groups are private, meaning you have to request to join, so it can be kept as a safe space for parents and caregivers to seek and give support.

There are plenty of other parent-oriented Facebook groups out there, and you can probably find one for your local area. They can be as general or as specific (need a group for dads who like hiking? Or grandparents raising little ones?) as you need.

Special Advantage

If you’re a parent of a child with special needs, you know how important a support system is for everything from information and disability resources to finding parents with similar experiences to talk to. Special Advantage is the nationwide online resource community specially built for special needs families. In addition to their coaching programs, they offer parent support and discussion groups that meet via zoom.

Local Parent Support Groups

These groups exist on the national or global level, but have local chapters for most areas.

National Parent Helpline

Looking for support in your local area but not sure where to start? The National Parent Helpline site is an extensive catalog of local groups for all kinds of families with all kinds of needs and interests. You can search for support by local area (note that the California-specific search is at the very top) or by special interest, including the age of your child, adoption needs, help with paying bills or help with your own mental health.

MOPS

Although they’re an international community, MOPS groups can also be found locally operated through churches and community centers. It’s a great resource for parents looking for parent-friends who live nearby, and many local MOPS groups host weekly meetings and fun friendship-building events for parents and kids like scavenger hunts and holiday parties.

City Dads Group

Are you a dad living in a major US city? This is your chance to connect with other dads nearby. Managed through Meetup.com, many City Dads groups offer weekly/biweekly gatherings for dads of all kinds, as well as informational events and resources for additional support. Note: Some of the cities’ groups are defunct at the moment, but if you’re interested in reviving one, contact “City Dads G.” under Organizers on the city’s Meetup.com page. And if you live in a city that doesn’t currently have a City Dads group, you can start one!

Mocha Moms, Inc.

Mocha Moms is a key community for mothers of color both locally and online. As a nonprofit organization, they encourage community service and activism, and they advocate for people of color in all stages of parenthood. You can join at both the local and national levels, and membership includes benefits like exclusive access to special events, conferences, educational summits and community service opportunities.

La Leche League

La Leche League is well known in the parenting community as one of the best resources for breastfeeding and pumping. Whether you’re planning to breastfeed, struggling to maintain a breastmilk supply or you’re a nursing pro, La Leche League has information and support for your nursing journey. Offering both virtual and local groups, they provide much-needed guidance on breastfeeding, from soothing sore nipples to dealing with criticism and taboo.