Join us for 
Your Weekly Check In
                   Pop In. Breathe Out. Say What You  Need - Or Just Listen

We don’t—and here’s why. Our space is designed for parents and caregivers raising children with behavioral and/or mental health challenges, regardless of the official diagnosis. That often includes ADHD, anxiety, autism, trauma, depression, or a combination of them all.

We’ve found that the parenting experience—the meltdowns, IEP meetings, social struggles, school calls—has more in common than not. Whether your child has one diagnosis, five, or none at all, you’ll likely relate to others in the group—and they’ll learn from you too.

If you're looking for a diagnosis-specific group, try Googling your child’s diagnosis with the words “support group.” There are some wonderful national organizations out there who may have just what you're looking for.

Not at this time. We’d love to—but we just don’t have the resources to run in-person gatherings right now.

That said, if you’re interested in starting something in your area, we’d be happy to help you think through what that could look like. We believe in the power of peer support, and if we can help you build that locally—we absolutely will.

The heart of every check-in is connection and sharing. Parents talk about what’s going on, ask questions, celebrate small wins, or just listen in. The vibe is casual and supportive—this isn’t a lecture or a class. It’s time set aside for you, in a space where people understand what you’re going through.

Sometimes, the host will also share a bit of helpful information—maybe a tip or resource that was requested in a previous session, or something that came up as a common theme. That part usually lasts about 10 minutes, just enough to offer something useful without taking away from the group conversation.

That’s completely okay. It can be incredibly powerful just to listen and realize you’re not the only one navigating these challenges. If you want to join and simply take it in the first time, you’re more than welcome to do that.

That said, because this is a private space built on trust, we do ask that everyone participate in some small way—whether that’s introducing yourself, giving a thumbs-up emoji, or dropping a quick message in the chat. It helps the group feel safer when everyone knows who’s in the room.

Absolutely. A diagnosis can take time—sometimes up to 10 years to get clarity on what’s really going on. So if you’re concerned about your child’s behavior, struggling with school or emotional ups and downs, or you just have a gut feeling that something’s not right, you’re welcome here.

You don’t need paperwork to belong. If you’re parenting a child with big emotions, behavioral challenges, or you know mental health runs in the family and want to be proactive, this space is for you.

Check-ins are relaxed, welcoming, and a little different every time—because they’re shaped by the parents who show up.

We usually start with a few introductions, and sometimes the host shares a short (10-minute or so) resource or tip that was requested in a previous session. After that, the rest of the time is spent connecting: parents share what’s going on in their world, ask questions, offer encouragement, or just listen.

You can show up however it works for you—on camera or off, with your dinner plate in front of you or hiding in a quiet room with headphones. We've had people join from their cars, coffee shops, laundry rooms, and bleachers. There’s no wrong way to attend.

To help everyone feel safe, we lock the meeting 15 minutes in, so once introductions are done and we know who's in the room, no one new can join. You can leave whenever you need to, but the lock-in helps maintain trust and privacy.

You won’t be asked to spill your life story or speak if you’re not ready. You can protect your privacy by not naming your child or only sharing what feels comfortable. Some parents open up right away. Others listen quietly for a while. All of it is welcome.

Like other anonymous spaces, participants are on their honor to keep what’s shared in a check-in confidential. That means no sharing names, stories, or details outside the group.

That said, we want to be honest: we can’t guarantee absolute privacy. This is a virtual space, and while we take care to protect it, there’s always a level of personal judgment involved.

To help with this, we lock the meeting 15 minutes after it starts—once introductions are done and any requested info has been shared. That way, everyone knows who’s in the room, and no one joins midstream without context. You can leave whenever you need to, but no new folks can pop in late.

Because we welcome parents from across the country, there’s often a natural layer of anonymity. And you can still protect your privacy while participating—by skipping names, avoiding exact locations, or holding back on details until you feel comfortable.

Some parents do end up meeting local families and forming beautiful connections beyond the check-in—but how much you share is always completely up to you.

No problem. These sessions are drop-in friendly. We know how unpredictable parenting life can be, so there’s no commitment or pressure to attend every week. You’re welcome whenever you can make it.

Absolutely. We often have moms and dads who attend together, and co-parents are always welcome. If you’re raising a child alongside someone else—whether it’s a partner, grandparent, or another trusted adult—they’re welcome too.

Got a friend navigating similar challenges? Bring them along. As long as they’re a parent or primary caregiver, there’s room for them here.

The Weekly Check-In is a private space created for parents to connect, exhale, and speak freely. It is not appropriate—or ethical—to ask parents to share their deeply personal experiences in front of observers, especially without compensation or prior consent.

We never put parents on the spot by asking if it’s okay for someone to “sit in,” and we strongly discourage professors from assigning this as a requirement.

If you're a student who wants to understand what it’s like to raise a child with behavior or mental health challenges, we respect that—but this isn’t the way. Feel free to share our concerns with your professor. And if your instructor truly wants their students to learn from parents, they can reach out to us directly.

📩 Professors and educators are welcome to contact us at contact@paparentandfamilyalliance.org to schedule a classroom presentation.

The Weekly Check-In is for parents and primary caregivers only - not for networking, promotion, or outreach of any kind. Even if you offer something amazing, this space is not the place to pitch it.

Parents come here to rest, relate, and be real - not to be marketed to. Please respect that boundary.

The check-in host is a trained parent peer supporter—a parent just like the people attending. Hosts rotate, but they all share something in common: lived experience, deep empathy, and a commitment to creating a safe space.

The host helps get things started, shares vetted resources if there’s a request or a need, and keeps the conversation flowing. Parents are also welcome to share helpful tools or resources they’ve found useful.

Most importantly, the host makes sure everyone feels welcome, respected, and has a chance to speak (if they want to). They’re not running a workshop or leading a class—they’re simply holding space so the group can be whatever the parents need it to be that day.