Have you ever been stuck in a difficult parenting moment and wanted resources to help you through? Maybe you were deep in a google rabbit hole or scrolling instagram for answers. Perhaps you were convinced to buy an online course to help you get through, or maybe you even bought the book that someone told you would solve all your problems…
I certainly won’t judge you for doing any of the above- parenting is a rough journey of late night googles and freaked out pediatrician visits when its probably nothing. BUT did you know that your local library has so many resources for parents, starting with a Parent Teacher book collection? This collection features the most popular books on things like potty training, breast feeding, baby led weaning, and many more useful and wonderful topics. No online courses or money spent on books you’ll only read once! Just hop on over to our catalogue, type in your latest parenting woe, and use the “collection” button on the left side of the screen to filter to the parent teacher collection! You can also search #milestones in the catalogue to get you to a long list of books that fall into this category- anything ranging from your first year as a parent to helping your teen manage their screen time.
I know that many of you may be worried that there’s no time to read a parenting book, and I’m going to give you permission right now to not read the whole book! Just pick the chapters that seem like they pertain to where you are right now. Text pictures of pages to your partner or your parent bffs, and maybe renew the book for another 3 weeks if you’re really getting a lot out of it! If you’re not sure what books to check out, maybe you’d like our Parent Hacks Newsletter! Click here and scroll down to Parent Hacks, or read the September issue on child psychology here.
Finally, I really do hear you if you just don’t have time for Parenting books, never fear we’ve got resources for you too! Our Library is working toward accreditation as a Family Place Library, allowing us to offer you a free parenting text messaging service called Lantern. This service only needs your phone number and your child's age, and they will send you text messages with links, articles, tips, and games that pertain to the developmental milestones your child is reaching. Lantern provides information and tips for children ages 0-8. You can click here to read more and register in English or Spanish. You can also check out our two resource boards in the children's room- one in the lobby outside the bathrooms, and the other in our 0-5 play area! These resource boards have flyers about community events, information on milestones, and QR codes to scan with various resources provided in Winchester and Frederick County.
Don’t forget that your librarians are always here to help you find things- potty training and or baby led weaning you’re overwhelmed? Ask at the desk and we can help you hone your search both for you and your little!