Parenting, Children and Families

You are the most important person in your child’s life. How you respond to your child makes a difference in your child’s behaviour and how they feel about themselves.

Here are some tips for common parenting questions like sleeping, crying and sharing.

Are you the parent of a child aged 2 - 12?

Have your say by taking part in the International Parent Survey. Findings from the survey should help Public Health Services better design supports and programs that match parents' needs and preferences.

Those who complete the survey may forward their contact information to Tammy.McIlroy@hamilton.ca to have their name entered in a draw to win a Diono Radian RXT Convertible + Booster Car Seat or Family Night Out Prize Package.

For more details, check out our flyer or begin the survey here.

Survey closes on June 30th, 2012

Childcare Information

• Finding child care centres and home-based child care providers (licensed and unlicensed)
• Financial assistance for child care
• Therapeutic referrals for children deemed at risk

Parenting classes / workshops / drop-in programs

• Beyond the Basics
  A program for parents with children involved with Child Protection (CAS /CCAS)
• Breastfeeding Clinic
  Find support for breastfeeding from a Public Health Nurse
• Car seat and booster seat safety
  Clinics and information
• "Check It Out" Drop-ins
  Talk to professionals for free about your child
• Ontario Early Years Centre
  A fun place for parents and their children
• Parents' Corner
  Weekly drop-in sessions with other parents and a Public Health Nurse
• The Incredible Years
  A free parenting program which will give you the skills you need to parent with confidence
• Parent and Family Literacy Centres
  School-based programs for parents and their children aged birth to six
• Growing Together: Community Education Guide
  A community education guide for parents, children and youth listing courses, groups and workshops available in Hamilton
• Right from the Start
  An 8-session parenting course designed to enhance parents' skills in reading infant cues and responding sensitively
• Coping with Toddler Behaviour
  An 8-session parenting course designed to enhance parents' skills in preventing challenging behaviour in toddlers
• Parenting Workshops by Public Health
• Schedule of upcoming workshops (April 2012)
• Schedule of upcoming workshops (May 2012)
• Information about each workshop
• Other workshops offered by Public Health 

Parenting Supports

• Breastfeeding resources
• Browse information by age group
• Affiliated Services for Children and Youth
• Early Words
• Fathering - building involved fathers
• Children with special needs
• Hamilton Best Start Network
• Home visits with public health nurses
• Postpartum program

General Resources

• Resources for expecting mothers and families planning a pregnancy
• Early Literacy Hamilton
• French Services / Services en francais
• Active and Safe Routes to School
• Enhanced 18-Month Well Baby Visit
• Home Management Program
  Brush up on life skills, budgeting and parenting
• LEAP Program
  Helping teen parents to stay in school
• Inform Hamilton
• Community Information Hamilton

Last Updated: April 24, 2012