Celebrating the Heart of the Family

This May, we’re honoring the many faces of motherhood — because motherhood doesn’t look just one way. We see the moms up before sunrise and the ones sneaking in one more hug at bedtime. The moms who are parenting through grief, the ones raising children not born to them, and the ones still dreaming of motherhood. The moms who show up tired, stretched thin, and still full of love.

Whether you're a biological mom, adoptive mom, foster mom, grandma, auntie, big sister, or someone who simply loves with a mother’s heart — we celebrate you!

Create a keepsake with your child

Download our Mother's Day "All About My Mom" Fill-in-the-Blank activity and have fun hearing how your child responds to the prompts!

Download Here

Parents as Teachers provides parents with the knowledge and tools that support the health and development of young children at every stage. All services are home-based or virtual, voluntary, and at no cost to families.

One in four adults experiences a mental health disorder in any given year (University of Wisconsin Extension, 2010). For parents and caregivers, signs like intense mood swings, frequent outbursts of anger, serious sleep disturbances, or confusion can indicate it’s time to reach out for support from a medical or mental health professional. (Source: Parents as Teachers)

But here’s the truth: We don’t have to wait until we’re overwhelmed or burned out to ask for help.

Life is stressful and when stress builds over time, it can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions — which can make it harder to meet our own needs, let alone our children’s, with warmth, patience, and presence.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminding parents:

✨ You matter, too.

✨ Your well-being is essential.

✨ There is no shame in seeking support.

Taking care of yourself is a strength — not a weakness. 💛

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

Fatherhood Resources is an integral part of Bright Beginnings’ Parent Support Department, dedicated to empowering dads to overcome obstacles and celebrate their successes on the journey to becoming the fathers they aspire to be.

We partnered with Cuyahoga Parents Connect to host a Daddy/Daughter dance class at Dance Lakewood. It was all kinds of fun to watch our Fatherhood Resources families — and other families from the Parent Support Department — spend quality time together, dancing their hearts out!

An excerpt from "Life Lessons from an Adoptive Mama"

"Parenting is a journey filled with ups and downs. Some days we climb 10 steps up the mountain, while other days, we slide back or simply stay in place. Progress doesn’t always look the way we expect, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean we aren’t growing—it just means we’re navigating different challenges at different times."

Read the whole post

Our Triple P Positive Parenting Program provides parents with practical strategies to manage misbehavior and prevent problems before they start.

For more information about finding Rachel out at local events,

bookmark our community calendar!

Learn more about two of the other Parent Support programs not touched on today:

Bright Beginnings offers personalized support for Cuyahoga County families impacted by lead exposure. Services may include lead-reducing tools, developmental screenings, activities, and connections to resources. Our Parent Support Lead Program serves families with children ages 3–5 who have confirmed or suspected elevated blood lead levels. Learn more now.

Looking for a supportive, non-judgmental space to connect with other parents? Join Cuyahoga Parents Connect, an online community for parents and caregivers of children from birth to Kindergarten (including expecting parents). Share advice, receive support, and celebrate successes with others in Cuyahoga County. Learn more now.

Share This Email