Your Personal Team of Parenting Experts

Parenting can be a frustrating job. No matter how much we love our kids, sometimes their behavior confuses us so much we feel our only recourse is to curl up in a fetal position with a jar of Nutella and a spoon.

Thankfully, answers to our parenting questions – not matter how basic or complex - are just a phone call away through the University of Missouri's ParentLink WarmLine. “ParentLink’s WarmLine is free and is your direct access to family strengthening information and support,” said Christina Crawford, MA, program coordinator with ParentLink, via email. “WarmLine offers not only problem-solving support and referrals, but also access to sound parenting information, including a loan library of parenting materials that can be shipped anywhere in the state of Missouri.”

Simply call 800-552-8522 (or 888-460-0008 in Spanish) between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and you’ll speak with social workers and counseling professionals who can guide you through a variety of parenting topics, from sleep problems and temper tantrums to divorce-related issues and out-of-control teenagers. Best of all, the service is available to anyone who plays a role in a child’s life.

Remarked Crawford, “We get questions from all different types of caregivers, including military parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, incarcerated parents, as well as friends, family members, volunteers, and professionals who are assisting parents.” The service can also connect individuals to resources in their areas for additional help in navigating the tricky world of parenting.

In addition to helping parents via the phone, ParentLink offers a variety of resources on its website, including the opportunity to ask parenting questions online, the ParentLink library, links to other parenting websites, and question and answer fact sheets that cover issues like avoiding mealtime hassles, positive discipline and toilet learning.

As parents, there are so many times we can feel helpless and alone. The ParentLink WarmLine is our friend, our guide and our counselor when the job can become a little overwhelming.

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting