Parenting Resources

Recommended Links for Your Parenting Needs

Below is a list of recommended links that touch upon a wide variety of topics.

Adoption

Adoptive Families: Adoptive Families is an award-winning resource for parents-to-be navigating the adoption process and for parents raising children through adoption.

Adoption.com: A site with information on all aspects of adoption including how to adopt, parenting, etc. with articles, blogs, wikis profile databases and more.

Adoption.org: A site with information on all aspects of the adoption process including who can adopt, the homestudy, procedures, terms, options, costs, agencies, facilitators, and professionals for domestic and international adoptions.

Breastfeeding

La Leche League- A Source for Breastfeeding Mothers: La Leche League is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, education, information, and encouragement, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

The Pump Station: Fill up on educational breastfeeding information at The Pump Station. Two lactation consultants have compiled tons of information and videos on breastfeeding and pumping. Plus they offer a variety of pumps, nursing bras, and other breastfeeding supplies.

Education Websites

Common Core- State Standards Initiative: Devoted to the task of defining Common Core State Standards, this site provides detailed definitions of what students are expected to learn.

EngageNY: EngageNY.org is developed and maintained by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to support the implementation of key aspects of the New York State Board of Regents Reform Agenda. This is the official web site for current materials and resources related to the Regents Reform Agenda. The agenda includes the implementation of the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS), Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (TLE), and Data-Driven Instruction (DDI).

New York State Assessments: The official site for the NYS assessment tests of kids in grades K-12.

New York State Office of Curriculum and Instruction: The NY State Learning Standards and core curriculum guidance documents are the foundation upon which State assessments are developed and aligned. Accountability status for each local school and district is based on State assessment scores.

New York State School Report Cards: These reports are produced to inform the people of New York State about the recent performance of public schools. They are designed to provide information to the public on student performance and other measures of school and district performance. School reports are in Adobe® Acrobat® .PDF file format.

Green Websites

Consumer Product Information Database: Disclosing chemical ingredients in products provides essential information throughout the supply chain from raw material supplier to consumers. Infor­mation about the ingredients of products and their health effects allow con­sumers to make better informed choices.

Consumer Reports Guide to Eco-Labels: As the popularity of green product claims continues to grow, it’s important to know which claims you can trust and which ones you can’t.

Healthy Child Healthy World: A resource for learning about the effects of the environment on kids. Has a “Daily Tips” section that will help you to reduce exposure to chemicals, toxins and pollutants for the benefit of your child’s health, your health and the environment.

Health Websites

American Academy of Pediatrics: Extensive site for health topics on infants and children.

American Academy of Pediatrics Dentistry: This site offers brochures for parents that can be downloaded for free on various pediatric dental concerns.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Vaccines & Immunizations: Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s site about vaccines. Offers information and vaccine schedule for kids.

FDA- Vaccines for Kids: Food and Drug Administration’s site about vaccines for kids.

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network: Nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing about a clearer understanding of the issues surrounding food allergies and providing helpful resources.

Head Lice.org: Established in 1983, first and only non-profit health agency dedicated to head lice issues. Helps parents make informed decisions about safely caring for their children’s head lice.

Kids Health: An online source for parents with questions about their child’s health.

New York State Department of Health: Governmental site that offers many features including: Directory Services, Vital Records, Information for Health Care Providers, Information for Consumers, Health Care Data for Researchers, Public Health Forum and Other Health Related Sites.

PM Pediatrics: Conveniently located in Selden, NY, PM Pediatrics offers after hours urgent care for children thru age 21. Now there’s another option to the emergency room with their ability to treat illnesses and injuries, infections, fractures and stitches, rapid tests and x-rays from their on-site lab. Open 365 days a year; Mon- Fri 5pm to midnight, Weekends & Holidays Noon- Midnight. Most insurances accepted.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services- Insure Kids Now!: National website for the White House initiative to provide free or low-cost health insurance to children (18 years and under) who live in households with little or no income. Just click any state to find how their program works.

Web MD- Kids Health: What every parent needs to know about keeping your kids healthy.

Parenting

Child Care Council of Suffolk County: Long Island’s premier community service organization that works with parents, providers, businesses, and community organizations to help promote the availability of quality child care services in the area.

Elizabeth Pantley: The author of the popular No Cry Sleep Solutions for Babies & Toddlers, No Cry Potty Training, and No Cry Discipline Solution has a website with some great ideas about childcare, especially sleep.

Just Mommies: This site has a great message forum, you can join and contribute or just browse through topics. Plus has a feature that will e-mail you when a topic you are interested in comes up.

Long Island Kids Directory: The Long Island Kids’ Directory can help you find almost anything for children and families in the area: baby furniture, clothing, great birthday party ideas, party supplies, enrichment programs, educational classes, summer camps, events, activities, private schools, photographers, health and safety products, home-based business opportunities, mommy & me play groups, toys and much more!”

Parents.com: The online site for the magazines, American Baby, Parents, and Family Circle. Deals with pregnancy to newborns, toddlers and older children.

Parents for Megan’s Law: Has information about Megan’s Law and the Adam Walsh Protect Act. Offers a 24-hour hotline for assistance of victims of sexual abuse and crimes, counseling centers and educational programs. Has a sex offender search, an e-mail alert and a place to report offenders not complying with the law.

Working Mother: Site for the magazine Working Mother which covers work and life issues important to career and family committed mothers.

LI Fun 4 Kids: Long Island source of places for fun free affordable low cost weekend plans with the kids include arts, crafts, activities, beaches, clubs, camps, museums, zoos, and more.

Pregnancy

American Pregnancy Association: A website promoting pregnancy wellness and education with resources for getting pregnant, help during pregnancy and also preventing pregnancy.

Baby Center.com: Has a pregnancy calendar and calculator, plus information on pregnancy stages and other maternity and parenting resources.

Mother Risk: Offers information on health topics for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Includes updates in new research, medications, and breastfeeding plus hotlines for important health issues.

Perinatal Support: Hospice Care Network: Hospice Care Network Offers a support program for parents whose unborn child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and who want to continue their pregnancy.

Pregnancy.com: A website all about pregnancy- related topics.

Safety Websites

Common Sense Media: Common Sense Media helps parents make decisions about media and technology for their families. Information and advice is provided in a variety of formats including reviews, videos and lesson plans.

Consumer Product Safety Commission: List recalls of unsafe products, especially children’s products and toys, and has a section to report an unsafe product.

Cyberbully Help

FDA Recalls: Keep abreast of any recalls by the Food & Drug Administration.

Fire Safety: Provides information on residential fire safety and prevention information distributed by the Federal Government.

Seat Check: This site offers tips and tools for proper installation of your car seat, lists car seat recalls, and car seat laws and even has a car seat Inspection Locator so you can find a place to have your car seat inspected for free to insure its safe.

Stop Bullying Now!: StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.

Special Needs

Autism Society of America: This site exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.

Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks fundraises for research and is committed to promoting awareness and advocacy efforts in scientific finding and family services.

Birth Injury Guide: Offers comprehensive birth injury information, and has birth injury experts standing by to help you with any questions.

Child Mind Institute: Devoted to transforming mental health care for the world’s children to enable them to reach their full potential.

Exceptional Parents Magazine: The Family and Professional site for the Special Needs Community serving infants, children, adolescents and adults.

ADD Warehouse: Resource for the understanding and treatment of all developmental disorders, including ADHD and other related problems.

National Center for Learning Disabilities: Online guide to essential information about learning disabilities, early literacy and learning resources, support for adolescents and adults with learning disabilities, public policy and advocacy tools.

National Down Syndrome Society: The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities.

LD Online: The Interactive Guide to Learning Disabilities for Parents, Teachers and Children: Updated frequently, this site is a great place to stay current with the latest news and developments. Includes online newsletter and a bulletin board.

Toys

Consumer Reports.org- Babies & Kids: Consumer Reports site for products for babies and kids. To access recommendations, please check out our link for this on our Databases page.

Dr. Toy.com: This site is designed to help parents find safe and reliable toys for their children.

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio: A great source for solid, objectively reviewed toys for babies & toddlers.

Parent’s Choice Foundation: Selects, approves and gives awards for outstanding toys, media, and materials for babies and young children.

W.A.T.C.H- World Against Toys Causing Harm: A source for information on toy safety, the latest recalls, tips for parents, and ways to keep kids safe.