Value of Other Parents

One of the best resources for working parents are other parents. Other parents can help watch your kids in a bind, or give you advice on dealing with your kids. Other parents also can help keep you informed about community happenings. I wouldn't know when kindergarten registration is, or which soccer league has the best schedule without my network of other moms.

But, it takes some effort to build a network of other parents. This is especially true if you are a transplant in a new community. These days most people don't live in the same neighborhood where they grew up. Further, even if you've lived in a community for some time, your circle of establsihed friends may not have kids in the same stages as yours.

Once your kids are in school, there are many opportunities to meet other parents. But, it is a little more challenging when your kids are young. Often a walk through the neighborhood with your kids will help you find other families nearby. There also may be some organized opportunities such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers, www.mops.org) or there may be a local group in your area. In my community we have a "pre-school PTA" which is affliated with our school system, but is just for parents with children not in school yet.

As I have been considering our options for kindergarten for my son, discussions with other local moms have been invaluable in understanding the pros and cons of our different options. The insight from other parents goes well beyond any booklet that a school provides.