Adoptive parent training: Friends of Children of Various Nations offers training to parents involved in adoption. 5290 E.Yale Circle, Denver. 303-837-9438.
www.fcvn.net.
Attachment Parenting International: 6:30 p.m. third Wed. Learn to raise secure and loving children by emphasizing physical closeness between parent and child as a way to encourage positive bonding. Castlewood Library, 6739 S. Uinta St., Centennial. 303-804-9606.
Baby Boot Camp: Fitness program designed for postnatal moms and their babies. Classes along the Front Range. 303-249-4854.
www.babybootcamp.com.
Baby and Mom Fitness: Stroller fitness class where mom can workout with her baby. Classes in Littleton at deKoevend Park (University and Arapahoe) and Grant Ranch (Sunset Park). 866-684-0641.
www.strollerstrides.com.
Babysitting/CPR: Learn adult, infant and child CPR and first aid from the American Red Cross. Babysitter training also available. Various locations and times. 303-722-7474.
www.denver-redcross.org.
Denver Bagels and Blocks: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wed. Parent discussion and playgroup meets over a bagel snack while children play nearby. Parents and infants-14 months. $8 per session. Mizel Center for Arts and Culture, Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver. 303-316-6317.
Bellies, Birth and Babies: Newsletter for growing families creates community through sharing of information and resources to support individual paths of parenting. Boulder.
www.belliesbirthandbabies.com.
Birth and Beyond: 10-11:30 a.m. Wed. Meet with other mothers and their infants and toddlers to discuss family issues. Support for moms, playtime for children. 2209 Ninth St., Suite A, Greeley. 970-346-8995.
Boot Camp for New Dads: Discussion and hands-on learning about the many challenges and delights of first-time fatherhood for Jewish dads. Registration required. $20. Shalom Baby, Denver JCC, 350 S. Dahlia St. 303-316-6317.
www.jccdenver.org. (Also available in Boulder; 720-364-1812.)
Child/pregnancy health clinics: Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment offers child health clinics and pregnancy screenings countywide. Sliding-scale fees. 303-239-7078.
Circle of Parents: For single moms, fathers and parents in Denver metro area. Free children’s program. Family Support Line. 303-695-7996.
www.familiesfirstcolorado.org.
Co-Dependents Anonymous: Various meeting times and places. Change learned behaviors and build healthy family relationships. 303-592-3936.
www.codependents.org.
Colorado Mountain Mamas: Weekly through Oct. Guided hikes to allow moms to get in shape, enjoy the mountains and meet other new moms. For moms with babies up to 2 years old. Jefferson County and Boulder foothills. 303-463-9530.
www.comountainmamas.com.
Communication and problem-solving: For parents of young children or teens. The Conflict Center, 4140 Tejon St. Denver. 303-433-4983.
www.conflictcenter.org.
Darling Doubles: 7-9 p.m. first Mon. Support group for parents of multiples in the northwest Metro area. Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 12099 Lowell Blvd. (120th and Lowell), Broomfield. 303-452-9621.
www.darlingdoubles.org.
Foster parenting: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. first Tue., 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. third Thu. Learn about becoming a foster parent. Foster Care Connection, 4650 Robb St., Suite 203, Wheat Ridge. 303-403-4994.
www.familypathwaysco.org.
Great smoke-out: 10 a.m. second Tue. Learn alternative ways to manage stress. “Moms Who Smoke” program geared toward pregnant and parenting women. Free. Jefferson County Dept. of Health and Environment. 303-275-7510.
Grief Assistance: For those experiencing the loss of an infant, child or adult. Support groups facilitated by professional counselors. Free. Swedish Medical Center, Englewood. 303-788-5677.
Immunization clinic: Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment offers vaccines. $15 administrative fee per shot. 303-239-7187.
International MOMS Club: Moms Offering Moms Support offers support for at-home mothers, including moms with home-based businesses and who work part time. Playgroups, field trips, mom’s night out and more. 303-683-2347.
www.momsclub.org.
Jewish Community Center, Denver: Sports & Fitness Center, and Center for Arts and Culture offer classes from mothering basics to “boot camp” for new dads. 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver. 303-316-6306 or 303-399-2660.
www.jccdenver.org or
www.mizelcenter.org .
Kempe Postpartum Adjustment Support Group: Works to promote healthy maternal-infant attachments and to decrease maternal depression. Free. 1825 Marion St., Denver. 303-864-5306.
La Leche League: 7 p.m. third Wed. Mother-to-mother breastfeeding support. Babies and toddlers welcome. Northglenn. 303-424-9222.
International Cesarean Awareness Network: First Tue. For all women, whether recovering from a cesarean, planning a VBAC or interested in women’s rights in birth. ICAN, Denver. 303-477-6243.
www.ican-online.org.
Love and Logic: 5-7 p.m. second Sun. Informal drop-in group presented by Barry Ebert. Childcare available. Mile Hi Church, 9079 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood. 303-986-1058.
www.barryebert.com.
Moms In Touch International: Moms meet regularly to pray for their children, school, teachers and staff. 303-471-9753.
www.momsintouch.org.
MOPS International: Mothers of preschoolers receive support at Christian churches statewide. Speakers, crafts, fellowship and child care. 303-733-5353.
www.mops.org.
Mothers and More: Playgroups, mom’s night out, guest speakers, book clubs and more. 303-778-7455.
www.mothersandmore.org.
Parent workshop: 10:30-11:30 a.m. April 8 and 15. Learn about the motivation and purpose of children’s behavior, from positive communication to toilet teaching. Admission. Children’s Museum of Denver. See Museum Matters section.
www.parentsandchildrenempowered.com
A Parent Connection: Postpartum depression and new parent adjustment issues, parenting toddlers and infant massage classes. 303-916-6929.
www.aparentconnection.com.
Parenting skills: Basic skills for parenting newborns to teens. Free children’s program. Family Support Line. Denver. 303-695-7996.
www.familiesfirstcolorado.org.
Parents of Severely Allergic Infants and Children: 6:30 p.m. first Wed. “MOSAIC” group provides support for parents of children suffering from severe food and environmental allergies as well as eczema and asthma. Parker Library, Parker Road and Main Street. 303-929-7718.
Parenting and preschool: Support groups meet weekly at neighborhood elementary schools while children play in a pre-school environment. Childcare providers and grandparents welcome. Parenting classes also offered. Emily Griffith Opportunity Schools, Parent Education and Pre-school Program, Denver. 303-756-3611.
Scrapbooking for new moms: 1-4 p.m. Mon. and Fri. Take your infant, start your baby book and network with other moms. Registration requested. Free. For Keep Sakes! Krop Kafe, 5150 Arapahoe Road, Centennial. 720-482-2255.
SHARE Colorado: Community-building nonprofit organization offers discounted groceries to families who volunteer two hours helping someone else –coaching their child’s sports team, being a member of their PTA, carpooling and more. 303-428-0400.
www.sharecolorado.com .
St. Vrain Valley Parenting Center: Support, education and support for diverse families, including Spanish/Portuguese speaking families. A variety of playgroups for all ages held weekly at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Third and Terry Streets, Longmont. 303-776-5348.
www.stvrainparents.org.
Stepparents group: 6 p.m. Thu. Talk openly, gain support and clarity regarding issues with spouses, children and stepchildren. Longmont. 720-338-7418.
Twin Connection: 7-9 p.m. fourth Tue. Support group for parents of multiples. Guests welcome. 7531 S. Kendall Blvd., Littleton. 303-233-2616.
Wild Sage Cohousing Community: 7-9 p.m. first Thu. and 4-6 p.m. third Sun. North Boulder community of individuals who support connections and relationships through shared resources and activities. Children welcome. Boulder. 303-444-2691.
Wings Foundation: Nonprofit organization promotes healing and peer support for men and women seeking to break the cycle of incest. Golden. 303-238-8660.
www.wingsfound.org.
Women, Infants and Children Clinic: Federally funded Jefferson County program provides support to women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or with children under age 5. Food supplies, answers to health and nutrition questions and more. Jefferson County. 303-239-7143.
Work-at-Home Parents Connection: Network and support group. Call for location. 303-980-9562.
Resources for parents struggling with long term or debilitating illnesses
This is a brief list of support resources available in the Denver/Boulder area. To find more listings, you can do a search (Google or Yahoo) for “support groups, Denver” or “support groups, Boulder” or simply search by the name of the illness.
Cancer Resources on the Web
Denver Metropolitan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure –
www.komendenver.org - Lists many support organizations in the area.
Cancer Support Groups
Boulder Breast Cancer Support Group – Boulder Community Hospital Mapleton campus, 311 Mapleton, Boulder, CO, 80304. Contact Jennifer McKeown at 303-499-8123.
Judi’s House / Judith Ann Griese Foundation –
www.JudisHouse.org –
Children and teens who are grieving the death of a loved one explore and share their feelings and experiences. Parents and caretakers have the option to meet in a facilitated support group to share feelings and receive ideas for helping their children. There is no fee for service.
Breast Cancer Support Group – Meets every Tuesday, noon to 1:30 p.m. No fee. Registration required. Call 303-777-6877.
Kids Alive! -
www.kidsalivecolorado.org – Support group for children of parents with cancer. Open to children ages 6 to 16. Registration required.
Individual and family counseling – Provided to any oncology patient and family at no charge. Call 303-756-3888 or 303-778-5832.
At University of Colorado Cancer Center – Anschutz Cancer Pavilion, 1665 N. Ursula St., Aurora. 720-848-1090.
Women’s and Men’s Stage IV Cancer Support Group – For advanced cancer. Meets the first and third Thursdays of the month, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call Alison Faust, 720-848-0395.
CLIMB: Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery – Support group for school-age children whose parent or primary caregiver has cancer. Call Lori McKeon at 720-848-0249.
Mental Illness Support Groups
Strength Through Sharing Support Group –
www.jewishfamilyservice.org, 303-597-7777, ext. 307 - For families dealing with mental illness.
Other Resources
Epilepsy Support Group – Jacinda Lay, 303-377-9774. Last Tuesday of each month, 5:30 p.m.
Books
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings, Ellen McVicker. With easy to understand text and beautiful illustrations, this book helps answer a child’s questions and concerns about having a parent with cancer.
Children of Parents with Mental Illness, Vicki Cowling (editor). ACER Press. Personal and clinical perspectives.
Mommy Has to Stay in Bed, Annette Rivlin-Gutman. Child-friendly and easy to read with beautiful illustrations. Winner of 2007 Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award.
Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child When a Parent Is Sick, Paula Rauch, M.D., and Anna Muriel, M.D., M.P.H. The authors explain what children can understand at various ages and provide suggestions about appropriate ways to explain illness to them based on their maturity and level of understanding.
