Parents > Web resources for parents

Web Resources for Parents

Summer survival
Moneywise parenting
School & education
Local resources
Health & safety
Media & entertainment

Early childhood
School-aged children
Adolescents
For African American parents
Parent power

Summer survival

Summer Camps and Summer Camp Jobs: http://www.campresource.com/

Summer camp directory searchable by type, activity, location, etc.
2011 Summer Camp Guide: http://shopping.oregonlive.com/SS/Page.aspx?ptype=SS_TILE&secid=100900&pagenum=1&facing=false

Special section from The Oregonian and Oregon Live.
Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens: http://www.summerfoodoregon.org/

Search by county for free breakfast and lunch for children and teens 18 and under. (Usually updated for summer in early June.)
Original Practice Shakespeare Festival: http://www.opsfest.org/index.html

See a free production of Twelfe [sic] Night performed the way it was in Shakespeare's time.
Portland Festival Symphony: http://www.portlandfestivalsymphony.org/index.html

Free symphony concerts all over Portland.
Shakespeare-in-the-Parks: http://www.portlandactors.com/

Portland Actors Ensemble performs The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and The Life and Death of Richard III for free in local parks.
Summer Camps in Portland Forum: http://www.urbanmamas.com/camps/

From local blog urbanMamas, a forum for local camps and parents to exchange information and opinions.
Summer Free For All: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=50362

Free concerts and movies in parks all over Portland.
Summer Reading 2011: http://www.multcolib.org/summer/

Babies, kids and teens can play the Summer Reading game at the library!

Moneywise parenting

Around the Sun: http://aroundthesunblog.com/

Blog "about saving money in Portland, Oregon … and beyond." Includes free events listings.
Cost of Raising a Child Calculator: http://65.216.150.170/default.aspx

The USDA helps you figure out how much it will cost you to raise children.
Frugal Dad: http://frugaldad.com/

Blog addressing financial resources for families.
Locate Food Resources Near You: http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/Get-Help

Find hunger-relief resources all over Oregon.
Music for All: http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=49518&a=332110

Low-cost ($5) tickets for low-income families and individuals to classical music and dance performances.
Oregon Helps!: http://oregonhelps.org/

Find out if your family can get assistance from 28 different organizations. In English, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese.
Portland Parks & Recreation: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=38277

Many Portland area parks offer free or low-cost activities and classes for children and families.
Stretching Your Food Dollars: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/fcd/nutrition/ewfl/module_03/

Tips for eating well while spending less money.
UrbanMamas Calendar: http://urbanmamas.typepad.com/calendar/

Calendar of family-friendly (and often free-of-charge) events in and around Portland.

School & education

Evaluating Websites: http://www.multcolib.org/homework/webeval.html

A guide to help you and your child accurately and critically use the Internet to do research for homework assignments.
Families and Schools: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/familyworks/school-00.html

Communicate effectively with your child's teacher.
Homeschooling: http://multcolib.org/homesch/

Multnomah County Library's homeschooling resources page.
LD OnLine: http://www.ldonline.org/

"LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD."
Parents Guide to Going to School: http://www.pbs.org/parents/goingtoschool/

"Help your child start school right. Get the scoop on saying goodbye, what kids really learn, and how to talk about their day."
Portland Public Schools Information and Resources for Families: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/families/index.htm

Look up everything from kindergarten enrollment to graduation requirements, and access your child's student information.
Waste-Free Lunches: http://www.wastefreelunches.org/parents.html

Tips for putting together yummy school lunches with little waste (and little work!).

Local resources

Metro Parent: http://www.metro-parent.com/index.php

Local parenting magazine. Includes a directory of activities for families.
Outdoor Dads: http://www.outdoordads.org/index.htm

Go on child-friendly hikes with other Portland families.
Portland Metro Area Preschool & Childcare Directory: http://www.readysetmom.com/childcare/

Search by location or service for preschools and childcare providers.
Traveling on TriMet With Kids: http://trimet.org/howtoride/kids.htm

Tips for families riding mass transit.
urbanMamas: http://urbanmamas.typepad.com/urbanmamas/

Portland parents share ideas, advice and camaraderie.

Health and safety

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Facts for Families: http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Facts+for+Families&name=Facts+for+Families+-+Keyword+%28Alphabetical%29

Information on issues that affect the mental health of children and teenagers and their families, from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Children's Disability Information: http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/

Information and resources for parents of children with disabilities and special needs.
The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys: http://www.healthytoys.org/

Chemical test results for over 1,000 toys and children's products.
EnviroMom: http://www.enviromom.com/

Forum for environmentally-conscious Portland parents.
KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/

Health information and support separated into three sites: one for parents, one for kids and one for teenagers.
National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities: http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/Home.aspx

A wealth of information to help children with disabilities.
Protecting Oregonians from Pollution: http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth

"The Oregon Environmental Council works to protect kids' health from toxic pollution by helping parents and caregivers secure and act on the information they need to reduce children's exposure to toxic chemicals."
Safe Kids Worldwide: http://www.usa.safekids.org/

Dedicated to the prevention of accidental childhood injury. Includes safety tips, product recalls updates, and state and federal safety regulations.
Stop Bullying Now!: http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Prevent bullying in your child's life.

Media & entertainment

Common Sense Media: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Designed to help parents and families make informed decisions about mass media. Includes reviews of movies, television shows, books, games, websites and more.
Parent Previews: http://www.parentpreviews.com/

Movie reviews for parents. Each review gives a grade for instances of violence, sexual content, language and drugs/alcohol; discussion starters are also suggested.

Early childhood

Birth to six: http://www.multcolib.org/birthtosix/

Brain development and early literacy advice from Multnomah County Library.
Born Learning: http://www.bornlearning.org/default.aspx?id=33

Turn everyday moments with your child into fun learning opportunities.
Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2011: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

Car seat recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
No Time for Flash Cards: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/

Easy-to-plan home activities that promote play, discovery and learning. Written by teachers and parents, the description of each activity includes a list of related books (find them at your library!).
Zero To Three: http://www.zerotothree.org/

Straightforward articles about encouraging the development of babies and toddlers.

School-aged children

Ready for Kindergarten?: http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=701

Kindergarten teachers help you evaluate whether your child is ready for school.
Talking to Kids About Tough Issues: http://www.childrennow.org/index.php/learn/talking_with_kids/

Practical tips and techniques for talking to school-aged children about terrorism, divorce, sex & relationships, and other tough issues.

Adolescents

College Goal Oregon: http://www.collegegoaloregon.org/

Find a site near you where you can get free help applying for money for college.
Teen Workers: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/parents.html

Support and protect your working teenager.

For African American parents

African American Books for Children and Young Adults: http://www.hbook.com/resources/books/africanamerican.asp/

From The Horn Book Magazine.
Brown Baby Reads: http://www.brownbabyreads.com/

Celebrates and encourages literacy in African American children with book recommendations, articles, and an online book club for children and parents.
Ground Control Parenting: http://groundcontrolparenting.wordpress.com/about/

A blog for parents of children of color, with a particular focus on issues affecting boys.
The Mocha Manual: http://mochamanual.com/mochamanual/

Resources for black mothers.
30 Books for Parents Raising a Black Male Child: http://www.raisinghimalone.com/30Books.htm

"The books selected inspire, challenge, confuse and stimulate the minds and hearts of parents raising boys in a "toxic" society."

Parent power

Dad Stays Home: http://www.dadstayshome.com/

Forum for stay-at-home fathers to share stories and advice.
Literary Mama: http://www.literarymama.com/

Literary magazine showcasing writing about motherhood.
National Stepfamily Resource Center: http://www.stepfamilies.info/

Information and resources for blended families.
Proud Parenting: http://www.proudparenting.com/

Information and networking for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parents and their families worldwide.
Young Mommies Help Site: http://www.youngmommies.com/

Information and support for young mothers.