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Our Shared Stories
Parenting a child who is struggling with their mental health can feel overwhelming. You are not alone.
Explore real stories, practical advice, and support from parents who have been where you are, along with guidance you can use in your own family.


ADHD Is About More Than Paying Attention: What One Mom Learned Along the Way
Years later, parenting a child with ADHD gave her a different perspective. She began noticing challenges that didn't fit her original understanding of the diagnosis, and she learned that some of the things that looked simple from the outside weren't always so simple for her family.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
5 min read


5 Back-to-School Tips to Help Your Child Have a Successful Start
Back-to-school can bring new routines, expectations, and plenty of adjusting for the whole family. These back-to-school tips for parents come from parents who’ve been there, with five simple reminders to keep in mind as everyone settles into the school year.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
4 min read


Back to School: Know Your School’s Student Assistance Program (SAP)
As your child heads back to school, there’s one resource worth knowing about before you ever need it: your school’s Student Assistance Program (SAP). In Pennsylvania, Student Assistance Programs help identify concerns that may be getting in the way of a student’s success and connect students and families with helpful school or community resources. Your child’s school may not call its program “SAP.” Schools may use a different name for their student assistance program or team,

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


Looking for Practical Parenting Support?
Parenting doesn't come with a manual. As your child grows, new challenges can leave you wondering what to say, what to do, or where to turn next. That's why we created our online parenting classes. Designed for parents of pre-teens, teens, and young adults with social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges, these self-paced classes provide practical strategies you can use in everyday life. Whether you're hoping to improve communication with your child or better u

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


Back-to-School Conversations: Helping Your Child Navigate AI
Helping Your Child Navigate AI starts with conversation. Discover practical tips for talking about AI, school, and technology with confidence this school year.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


What is Parent Peer Support?
What is Parent Peer Support? Learn how trained Parent Peers help parents navigate children's mental health challenges, build confidence, and advocate for their families.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


How Do I Help My Child with Moving Anxiety?
All of these tips can help ensure that your child's adjustment is as smooth as possible to the new area.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
5 min read


Bridging the Gap Between Summer and School
Taking a little time to prepare for the transition from summer to the school year can make those first few weeks feel a little less overwhelming for everyone. For children who struggle with their mental health, having a plan and easing back into routines can make a meaningful difference. I asked members of the Parent Alliance team, all parents who have experience raising children with mental health challenges, to share what has helped their families. Here are some of their be

PA Parent and Family Alliance
6 min read


How Can I Help My Shy Child?
Being very shy can have a massive impact on a child's mental health. That is why when we met with and heard the story of our Guest Blogger today we knew that we wanted to feature it. While our blogger has chosen to remain anonymous their story is one that will resonate with a lot of shy children, and give their parents some insight into what their shy child might be thinking and feeling as they navigate the world. There is still one girl who I distinctly remember from element

PA Parent and Family Alliance
7 min read


How Do I Help My Child Manage Their Time Effectively?
As the stress from everyday parenting tasks build it can be easy to get frustrated with our children, especially when we feel like they are not managing their time effectively.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
6 min read


How Nature Nurtures: Outdoor Activities for Kids' Mental Health
Looking for ways to support your child’s well-being? Check out 5 ways nature could help!

PA Parent and Family Alliance
5 min read


How Do I Manage My Anxious Child's Anxiety?
Anxiety has a way of making a person feel like they are the only one that feels this way. That is why...

PA Parent and Family Alliance
6 min read


Grounding Techniques for Kids: Creative Art Activities for Anxiety
Discover simple, trauma-informed grounding techniques for kids to help them manage big emotions and feel more calm, connected, and secure.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
5 min read


Why an Exit Strategy Can Make Social Events Easier for Kids
Make social events easier for kids by understanding their social battery. Learn simple ways to help children manage overwhelm, recharge, and feel more comfortable in social situations.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


For the Dads Trying to Figure It Out
Supporting a child through mental health challenges can leave dads wondering if they are saying or doing the right thing. Here’s why staying present matters more than getting every moment perfect.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


Your LGBTQ+ Child Should Get to Lead Their Own Story
When a child comes out, many parents want to help but are unsure what to say or do next. This Pride Month, we explore what supporting your LGBTQ+ child after coming out can look like, and why letting them lead their own story matters more than having the perfect response.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


Your LGBTQ+ Child Notices More Than You Think
Supporting your LGBTQ+ child starts in the small everyday moments. Learn how parents can create a safer, more supportive home for LGBTQ+ youth this Pride Month.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


Why Am I Always Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop?
Things are finally going well, so why does it feel like you are just waiting for something to go wrong?

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


How Do I Know If I Am Doing The Right Thing?
When your child is struggling, it is normal to feel unsure about what to do next.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


Parenting in Survival Mode
When parenting feels like survival mode, here’s a simple way to take the pressure off.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
2 min read


Why Does My Child Not Want to Go to Social Events?
Why does your child seem fine… until it’s time to leave?
If plans often turn into pushback, this small shift can make a big difference.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


What Do I Do If My Child Refuses Therapy?
What to do when your child refuses therapy, with practical guidance to move forward without turning it into a battle.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


What to Do When Your Child Refuses Medication?
What to Do When Your Child Refuses Medication: If it’s starting to feel like a fight, learn how to support your child through collaboration instead of control.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read


What If My Child Has No Plan After High School?
If your child has no plan after high school, it can feel overwhelming. Learn how to shift the pressure, support your child, and move forward without panic.

PA Parent and Family Alliance
3 min read
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