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Netmums P.S.

Support for you...

Parent Supporters

Problems Shared... Problems Solved

In March 2007 the Government announced plans to broaden support to parents and families. This took the form of the Parent Know How programme put in place by the Department for Children, School and Families to bring together existing support services under one umbrella. The programme is worth up to £44 million and Netmums are proud to share the fact that the support we've been offering parents for years has been recognised and we have been awarded funding to enhance our existing support services.

In March 2008 with the help of Unite/CPHVA (association for health visitors) the Netmums Parent Support Project was launched, adding a layer of expert help to our community of parents who support each other.

How the Parent Supporters have helped already

Since Netmums launched the Parent Supporters service in the middle of March 08, we've helped over 1000 different mums each month, giving them advice and guidance as well as helping them to access local support.

While some of the problems we help with are quite complex such as mums suffering with Post Natal Depression or mums who have children with special needs, a lot of the mums we help have day to day concerns regarding parenting, their relationships and coping with life in general.

Many of the mums who have already used the Netmums P.S. service told us that they had not spoken about their issue to anyone else, which proves our theory that many of us are carrying our problems on our own. P.S. stands for Parent Supporters, but its also stands for Problems Shared, Problems Solved.

Here are just a few of the postive comments we've received so far:

Thank you to all of you for your wonderful advice and support. I haven't really talked about this to anyone as most of my friends and family have never known we had a problem, so it is such a relief to speak to others.

Thank you fellow netmums. It has helped me loads venting things on here and stopped me blaming myself for whats happening. I am coping better than I thought I would.

I would just like to thank everyone on here for sharing their stories and making it easier for those like me who have lost a baby and have found comfort and understanding through reading the posts. This is the first time I have posted on here and I really don't know how I would have coped if I hadn't been able to float around this board over the last month!

I think that me posting about my life so much so is really helping me. I live about 120 miles away from what i call my bestest pals ever and if i didnt let it out on here i dont know what i would do.

Netmums is so much more than a website. I honestly don't know what I would have done without all the mums to talk to, and I try to help others if I think I can offer something useful.

I just want to say thank you to everyone that replied, for your support and advice. Its good to know there are are others who know what your going through or are just there to listen and help

I don't want to give in to it and I really don't want pills. I used to have a fantastic hv but she moved so I don't have anyone to chat to and I find it hard because people don't understand. Thats why this place is such a lifeline.

Thank you so much for your reply, it makes sense and I feel relieved. thanks again x

Thank you, I will be contacting the numbers provided to get myself in touch with others in similar circumstances.... It always helps to know that you are not the only one! I'm so glad I found this site, your support is really appreciated guys! Thankyou!

Having a bit of bad day emotionally, ups and downs, but your post have given me a boost. I've been posting on the single parents thread as need advice now on how to tell kids and its just great knowing im not alone. This site is really helping me to keep going and seeing this through. I will keep you updated on my progress as I feel Im
gonna be needing a lot of support in the weeks to come. Thanks again

Thank you so much for your kindness, i really appreciate it. In fact when I read the replies I cried with happiness. You have given me loads of reassurance and i can relax and not worry anymore.

How can we help you?

Netmums has a forum called the Coffee House where up to 1000 mums at a time are on line, talking about everything from the latest happenings on Eastenders to their birth trauma story, how to make the kids tea from scratch, how to save money alongside stories of how they - or their relationships - are falling apart.

We have different sections which cover topics such as Advice and Support, Parenting, Lifestyle and Teenagers. Other Netmums members are great and many of them have either been through or are currently in the same situation and offer the most fantastic mum to mum support to other members.

Some of the Netmums Team who were already providing advice and support on a daily basis in the forums have now taken on the role of Parent Supporter, they offer mum to mum advice and signpost members to places where they can further help and support. Joining them are a team of experts who provide further professional help and support.

Meet the Netmums Parent Supporters

The first support people you will meet will be Debs, Linda, Jeanette, Helen, Crissy, Donna, Suzanne, Emma, Louise and Leanne. They are mums themselves who have personal experience of many of the problems that members are posting about. Some of them have additional qualifications or have worked in other areas that gives them a special understanding of other mums' problems. They can help members gain access to the other Parent Supporters as well.

Meet Debs
Hello, my name is Debra (Debs to most people ). I am a Netmums Parent Supporter and you can find me on the Advice and Support boards, mainly the Badly Treated, Alcohol, PND/Depression and Older Parents boards. I used to be a member of netmums and found the support, advice and friendliness amazing, particularly when I went through some of my own difficult times. Almost 2 years ago I was asked to join the staff here at netmums and I really enjoy giving something back and helping to get someone through the day with a kind word and an empathetic ear. I am a mum of 4, 2 grown up and 2 still at primary school. I'm a grandmother too. I have experience of Domestic Abuse, Single Parenthood, Relationship Breakdown, Family Court, Alcoholism, Depression, amongst other things, I'm also qualified as an Early Years Practioner. and have worked in my local Infant School. Like all the wonderful team here I am completely dedicated to netmums and what it stands for so everyone can enjoy being a mum/dad/carer and realise that no matter what, you are not alone with any problems you may experience.

Meet Linda
Hi. My name is Linda, I'm a long time moderator and have always been committed to supporting any member who has posted in our forums asking for help or just needing a virtual hug. I'm a mum of three, my eldest son is in his early 20s while my youngest is only 5 so I have lots of empathy and experience to share, this is why when the Parent Support project launched I chose to develop my existing support skills and join the team as a full time parent supporter, working primarily in the Miscarriage, Bereavment, Young Mums, Families and Relationships and Having a Bad Day boards. I felt very isolated when I became a Mum, and how I wish Netmums had been around then. It has been a lifeline to me - and many others. I think that may be why I am passionate about supporting other Mums who are going through a difficult time, or who may just need a listening ear.

Meet Jeanette
Hiya Im Jeanette. I am married with 2 children. Both of whom were born prematurely. I became a parent supporter in May 2008 and I have been able to use my qualifications in nursing, district nursing and health visiting to provide support and advice to mums who are members of netmums. In my spare time I am a parent governor and I am a volunteer on the homestart management committee. I also help on a website which provide support for individuals with fertility problems. You will mainly find me on the Primary School and Bullying boards.

Meet Helen
Hello, my name is Helen and I have been involved with netmums for quite a few years now and have undertaken many different roles. I am however new to role of a Parent Supporter and I am loving being part of this fantastic supportive team that helps so many parents from all different walks of life everyday . I live with my husband and two young children who were born in 2001 and 2003 so can hopefully empathise with the trials and tribulations many parents face that come to netmums for support. My working background includes being a registered midwife and a previous history of banking and finance. You can find me helping parents on the Serious stuff, Unexpected pregnancy, Postnatal and New mums forums.

Meet Crissy
Hi I’m Crissy, mum to three lively children and the netmums PND Supporter. I’ve worked for netmums for over four years having started out as a local site editor before joining the moderating team in the coffeehouse nearly three years ago. Having worked across all the support boards I now concentrate on the PND and Depression board. I feel blessed and honoured to have been given the opportunity to meet and to support so many amazing and inspiring people over the years. PND is our society’s dirty secret and I feel passionately about working together to somehow find a way to drag that secret kicking and screaming out into the open. I dream that one day mums will no longer feel ashamed and stigmatized by this illness and that the support they need and deserve will be automatically and freely available to all. Until that day, I know that netmums and our wonderful members will keep fighting. I have been inspired by my work with netmums to embark on an entirely new career and am presently in the third of four years study leading to a degree in Integrative and Relational Counselling. Netmums has changed my life and each day as I log in, I hope that in some small way I can repay the favour by helping to change someone else’s life for the better.

Meet Donna
Hello, My name is Donna and I've been part of the Netmums Team for a few years now in various roles, most recently I've been working as a Parent Supporter with a specific interest in Families and Relationships. I am married and have two school age children so I can empathise with parents who feel the stresses and strain of family life. I haven't always found being a mum and wife an easy job and when my children were younger I got support from my local Children's Centre, I now give that support back by being a governor of my local centre. Being a Parent Supporter is similar to that as it allows me to share my experiences and offer support on a mum to mum level. I love working with netmums because of the support all the team offer and am dedicated to the idea that every mum should enjoy being a mum.

Meet Suzanne
Hi - I'm Suzanne and a Mum in a blended family. I've been a single parent and a step parent and now have another gorgeous baby in the family. I found netmums after giving up my full time job to get my son ready to start school and realised that the life of a stay at home mum isn't all moonlight and roses but really hard work! I enjoyed the support and camerarderie of netmums and recently joined the team as a parent supporter. My working background is in paediatric nursing with a special interest in palliative care and the hospice movement. I have spent years supporting families through the most difficult and stressful times and know the benefit in giving calm, reasoned support so that the family can continue to function and go on to flourish. I am so happy to be part of this exciting support network for mums and families across the country.

Meet Emma
Hello, my name is Emma. I have recently joined Netmums as a Parent Supporter on the Special Needs and Disabilities Board. I am a mum to two young girls aged 3 and 15 months. My eldest has Down syndrome and other associated special needs so is the reason for my interest in additional support for families and carers. My background is in primary school teaching but I am now kept busy being a mum and running a local support group.

Meet Louise
Hi, my name is Louise. I am mum to four children ranging in age from 12 down to 10months and I am thrilled to have just joined the team at Netmums. I hope that my experiences as a wife & mother can be useful. Sure wish I had the internet when my 12year old was a baby! Daily life as a mum can be really stressful at times, and it’s great to have somewhere to come and share whatever is on your mind - it doesn’t matter what - guaranteed there is always somebody at hand with a supportive word and a hug or two. You can usually find me on the Advice & Support, Children & Parenting and Antenatal & Postnatal forums.

Meet Leanne
Hello, Im Leanne. I have been a member of Netmums for several years and more recently a member of Staff. One thing which always struck a chord with me while popping in and out of various support boards is that often the mums posting for advice are lonely and feel isolated so, back in July we launched the Netmums Meet Ups a new concept designed to put mums in touch with other local mums, The response we had was unbelievable and part of my role on netmums is to co-ordinate the hundreds of volunteers who are arranging Meet-ups in their local areas on our behalf. I also do some Parent Supporting, when time allows! Often at night, I will pop in and out of the advice forums providing support, particularly drawing on experience gained during my previous role as Nurse (both General and Childrens Ward/ High Dependancy) and that of a busy mum to three boys. I have an interest in Special Needs children and having a Son with Aspergers gives me the empathy to connect with Mums at every stage of diagnosis of Special Needs conditions. Netmums saved my sanity when my two oldest boys went to school and I was Mum to a new baby and all my friends with children had deserted me to go back to full time work. I like to feel that Im giving something back in some small way.

For the basics of families, relationships, postnatal illness and just looking after children when you are really stretched, Annie, Brigid, Mary and Sarah are very experienced, very kind and caring health visitors.

Meet Annie
My name is Annie I am one of the health visitors on the team. I have been health visiting for twenty years and have a special interest in parenting, from parenting new born babies to teenagers. I have three grown up children and two little granddaughters – one of whom has helped remind me of what it is like to be regularly wakened several times a night! I joined Netmums in March this year and am on the boards a few hours a week. I am amazed at the technology that makes it all possible and impressed at the wonderful support that the Netmums community gives to each other.

Meet Brigid
Hi My name is Brigid, I`ve been a nurse since 1983 and a health visitor for 15 years. I have a special interest in young parents, drugs and alcohol misuse, and domestic violence. I have an 11 year old son and remember only too well that feeling of isolation after gving birth - how I wish there had been a netmums when my son was younger. I am really enjoying working on netmums and remain amazed at the level of support all the netmums give to each other.

Meet Mary
My name is Mary and I am one of Parent Supporters. I have been a health visitor for 25 years now and have a special interest in postnatal depression for over 20 years. I have had 2 family members who have suffered from PND so I do understand personally how this illness impacts not just the poor mum but also the family. I also know both personally and professionally that the illness is treatable and the emotional suffering can be greatly reduced by seeking appropiate help. I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of mums who have recovered and this has been the most rewarding aspect of my life as a health visitor. I work on PND board and I hope that I can make your journey through this illness a little easier. I have been overwhelmed by the level of support which mums provide to each other on PND board. I am mum to three children - two of which are still on payroll !! I have been working a few hours each week with Netmums since March 08 and marvel at the advances in technology which makes support like this available . I look forward to supporting you.

Meet Sarah
Hi, my name is Sarah and I am health visitor by background. In my "day job" I supervise the health and outreach team based in a Sure Start Children's Centre, working with a wide variety of families as well as running Family Links Nurturing Programme groups for parents. I help out on the Relationships board for Netmums. I have 2 teenage sons and like others have not always found parenting and relationships easy. I know how much I appreciate the support of others who try to understand what I'm going through and hope that I can offer the same experience to others through Netmums.

If you have questions about schools in England - whether it is bullying, special needs at school, or admissions, Gill and Margaret from ACE - the Advisory Centre on Education can help.

Meet Gill
Hi, My name is Gill, and I am a parent supporter here on netmums. You can find me on the Education Board. I work for ACE, the Advisory Centre for Education. We give lots of information and advice to parents about education issues, including admissions, exclusions, bullying and special needs. I am really pleased to be able to support parents here on education because sometimes it's hard to find your way through the system! I have two children myself - one has left school and one is still at secondary school.

Meet Margaret
Hi Everyone, My name is Margaret and I work as a Senior Adviser at the Advisory Centre for Education. We give advice on educational isues to parents/carers and professionals in England and Wales, covering Exclusions, Admissions, Special Needs, Bullying etc. I started giving educational advice on netmums in April this year and my session is for 2.5 hours per week on Thursday. I have to be honest and say that I struggle with the technology but have tried to overcome my technophobia in order to give advice that is needed. I have 2 children (well adults really) that I have raised alone for the past 15 years. My son is 22 and has Aspergers Syndrome, diagnosed at 10, which is how I became involved in the educational system!!! He has just Graduated and I am very proud of him. My daughter is 18, with all the attitude that that brings, and cannot wait to go off to Uni next year.

If you have a disabled or special needs child, Sarah from Contact a Family will be around whatever your question concerning your family. She can help with both the practical and emotional issues including legal rights and financial questions.

Meet Sarah
Hi My name is Sarah and I have worked for Contact a Family for 9 years, providing information and support to families who have children with any disability or special need. I have been working as a parent supporter here on Netmums since March. I thoroughly enjoy the work and think the site is a wonderful source of support for everyone out there, I am always in awe of the amount of support members give each other and how caring and helpful people are.

If you are being badly treated, emotionally, or physically, Lisa from Women's Aid can provide support on that most difficult of subjects. I

Meet Lisa
Hiya, I'm Lisa J, I have been a parent supporter since the summer. I work for Womens Aid as the team leader for the 24hr National Domestic Violence Helpline. My area of special interest is Domestic violence so I primarily work on the serious stuff and badly treated boards. I have a teenage son and have experienced single parenthood so I understand the issues facing mothers needing support. I am really enjoying being a PS and think that the support is incredible.

Knowing what makes our relationships tick helps if you are not getting on with those around you as you would like, and Pat from One Plus One is here to help with that.

Meet Pat
Hiya, my name is Pat and you can find me on the Relationships board. I work for One Plus One a Relationships organization and my background is education and social work. I also do a lot of training especially around working with parents. I am a mum with a step son 25yrs, a daughter 14yrs and a son 8yrs. I have been a Parent Support with Netmums since March and really love being able to offer support on this site. Because I am not a techy person I have never been involved in internet forums before and I didn't believed that internet communities could be so amazing... until I joined Netmums. I look forward to meeting you on the Relationships board. Until then....

Meet Chris
Hello, my name is Chris and I joined Netmums towards the end of 2008 as parent supporter with a special interest in Relationships. I kind of "always" vaguely knew of Netmums but had no concept of the astonishing scale and the diversity of what went on here. In many ways I feel quite in awe of joining a group where so much incredible work is going on. I do so hope that i can add soemthing valuable. I work for Relate as a couple counsellor and as a psychosexual therapist. I also work as an online (e-mail) counsellor and do a little bit of private work too. I am an electrical engineer "by birth" and took up counselling and the like about 7 or 8 years ago. I do still work in engineering. I have four children aged 21, 18, 6 and 4. We have worked out what was causing that now and are therefore unlikely to be expanding the family any time soon. I delight in being a full time dad to the two youngest (both princesses) - they are brillll!! I am looking forward to working with Netmums.

Parents of teenagers face a whole new set of issue, Diane from Parentline Plus have answers on those tricky issues that most of us seem to go through.

Meet Diane
Hi, I'm Di and I'm the supporter from Parentline Plus. I only joined NetMums last July but absolutely love being part of the team. You can find me on the teenage boards which complements the work I do at Parentline Plus. It's great to feel I am a part of something so special to help parents when they may be at their lowest point, or see no light at the end of the tunnel.

Working mainly behind the scenes to provide guidance and support to the Parent Support Team is Liz. If you would like to speak to Liz then do contact one of the Parent Supporters who can pass a message on for you.

Meet Liz
Hello my name is Liz, I generally work behind the scenes as support for the parent supporters and other staff members. I do sometimes get the opportunity to post on the threads you might see me with 'team advisor' beside my name. My background is in nursing, midwifery, health visiting and counselling, I am passionate about all things parenting because I think it is the most important job in the world and to do it well, most of us need support and understanding from those around us. I am married and am a mum to two children who are both fully grown adults - they like to think that they taught me everything I know!!

Where to go if you need help

To start with we have an introductory forum on our advice and support boards where you are welcome to pop in and say hello and get some advice on where the best place for you to post is. We're also in there to help you if you've never used a forum before and need some guidance with how it all works.
You'll also find a thread of comments we've had from other members to show you just how helpful the Parent Support service is.

However if you already familiar with our forum and know whereabouts you'd like to post then please join us in your chosen forum. We do have lots of forums on our coffeehouse where you can get advice and support but here are the main ones where you'll find the Parent Supporters working.

Meet the Parent Supporters
Make this the first forum you visit if you have any questions about the service we provide or if you're unsure where to post about your worries.
Families and Relationships
Advice and support for members who are having problems with friends, family or relationships. Plus find out how to keep a happy relationship here.
Are you being Badly treated?
Support for anyone who has a violent, controlling, bullying or abusive partner or has concerns about this aspect of their relationship. This forum is not run by experts, just other mums who care. We can also point you in the right direction for professional and practical support.
Click here for information on local Domestic Abuse Support.
Single Parents
Advice and support for single parents who are bringing up a child or family by themselves or for parents who are considering (or maybe currently going through) divorce or separation.. You can also find local support for single parents on our Single Parents page.
Young parents
Advice and support for young parents or parents-to-be. You can talk to other members about things like adjusting to the responsibilities of being a parent, lack of support, loneliness and isolation, disappearing friends, family problems and much more.. Don't forget you may find local support groups for young parents listed on our Single Parents and General support pages
Older parents
Whether you are a parent, step-parent or carer of an older/teenage/grownup child, or whether you are a parent (or even a grandparent) of slightly more mature years who is bringing up children, you can get advice and support here. We also have a whole section of articles written especially for parents of teenagers.
New Mums Support
Advice & support for new mums during the first few weeks after the birth. You can talk to other members about things like adjusting to the reality of being a parent, coping with your new baby, tiredness, baby blues, recovering from the birth, your six week check plus much more..
Special Needs & Disabilities
If you are a member with a disability or a parent/relative/carer of a child with special needs, you can talk to other netmums members about your experiences here.
Serious Stuff
Have you got a serious problem or dilemma and need to talk to someone about it? This section is for members who are seeking support or advice on genuine problems or sensitive situations they may be going through.
Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction
Advice and support for members affected by alcohol or drug issues. So whether you are finding alcohol or drugs is starting to affect your life and you want to cut down, or whether you are a member who is, or has been adversely affected by the alcohol or drug use of someone close to them, you can pop in here for support
Loss & Bereavement
Support for members who need help, advice or support coping with the loss of someone close to them. You can share your thoughts and feelings with other members who may be going through similar experiences.
Miscarriage, Stillbirth & Loss of a child
Support for members who have experienced the devastating loss of a child, whether it was through miscarriage, stillbirth or for another reason altogether.
Having a Bad Day
Support and advice for anyone who is having a bad day or are feeling a bit low - pop in for a bit of sympathy and understanding.
PND & Depression
Support and advice for all aspects of prenatal or postnatal depression, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and other mental and emotional problems from mums who have been there. If you are feeling like you cant cope, pop in for a bit of sympathy and understanding. You'll also find information on our PND section here.
General Parenting
General Parenting discussion and advice - talk to other members about general parenting related issues and topics which are relevant to more than one age group!
Speech and Language Clinic
Share your problems and queries with other members and read the great advice offered by Janine Spencer, an expert in speech and communication who recently spent some time in our forums
Primary school age (4 - 11 years)
Discuss things like starting/moving school, home education, after school activities, when to discuss the birds and the bees etc plus click here for info on local schools, after school activities & much more..
Bullying
If you are worried about your child (or perhaps yourself) being bullied, share it here. If you've been through bullying and have advice to offer tips we'd welcome your involvement.
High School Age & Older (11 years +)
Advice & support for parents dealing with older children or teens.We also have a whole section of articles written especially for parents of teenagers.

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