• A meal or snack is provided at every event for all parents and children attending.
  • Parents get the chance to meet and share experiences with other parents of preschool-age children.
  • Parents learn about new skills and strategies through roundtable discussion at parent group meetings.
  • Each session of the child program closes with children learning a new yoga pose.
  • Children are encouraged to try different fruits and vegetables at each session

Thank you for your interest in the My Parenting SOS program!

We recognize that parents today face many challenges. Trying to juggle work obligations, family demands, and scarce resources can leave parents feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The Parenting SOS program is designed with the needs of these families in mind to help reduce parenting stress and foster strong and healthy families. My Parenting SOS is designed to help parents develop the skills needed to better juggle all of their many responsibilities and reduce their stress. These same skills can also be used to create home environments that will promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in children. We are looking for families with preschool-age children (2-5 years old) who may be interested in participating in this very exciting study.

Click here to see what other parents are saying about myParenting SOS.



My Parenting SOS Program

  • The program will be delivered through 12 group sessions spread out over 9-months (September 2010 through May 2011). Sessions are designed to be fun and interactive so that parents can share their experiences with one another. Individually-directed phone calls with trained parenting specialists will be provided in between group sessions to offer additional support to parents.
  • A special children's program will be offered at the same time that will provide engaging, enrichment activities. This program will help prepare children for the changes they will be seeing at home including trying out new foods and activities.
  • Sessions will be offered on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Parents will be able to choose the time that is most convenient for their family.
  • Delicious and healthy dinner meals will be provided at all of the group sessions

The My Parenting SOS program is being offered as part of a research study at the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Families who agree to participate in this study must accept assignment to one of two groups. One group will receive the My Parenting SOS program, while the other will be enrolled in a Children's Book Club.

Children's Book Club

  • Children receive one free book per month for 8 months (mailed directly to your home)
  • Sample book titles include Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop, Kevin Henkes’ Crysanthemum, P.D. Eastman’s Are You My Mother?, and Mercer Mayer’s There’s Something in the Attic
  • Parents will receive a copy of the My Parenting SOS program materials when participation in the study is complete.

Measurement Events

Like other research studies, we will be asking families to complete surveys and other measures. However, we will be organizing fun measurement events at convenient locals around Durham. Events last about 2 hours. At each event, there will be fun and active activities planned for the kids. Parents can earn up to $180 for completing all measures.


If you are interested in learning more about this project or signing up, you are welcome to submit your contact information by clicking here.