Parent Support Licking County

01/15/2026

We’re excited to offer TWO more January Urgent Dental Clinics! 🦷✨
📅 January 23rd & January 30th
If you or someone you know needs urgent dental care, help is available.
Please contact Pathways at (740) 345-4357 or dial 211 to verify eligibility and schedule an appointment.
💙 Our clinics serve uninsured adults who meet income eligibility guidelines.
Appointments are limited—please call as soon as possible!

01/15/2026

A Child’s Voice – After School, I Need You to Know
The Child Who Masks

Earlier today I shared the swan model.

The one that looks calm on the surface, gliding through the school day — while underneath, it’s paddling fast just to stay afloat.

This is that same child, speaking now.

When I come out of school, I’m not being “dramatic”.
I’m not suddenly difficult.
I’m not undoing all the good behaviour you were told about.

I’ve been holding it together all day.

I’ve pushed feelings down so I didn’t stand out.
I’ve copied others so I could fit in.
I’ve kept my stims small and hidden.
I’ve smiled when I didn’t feel OK.
I’ve tried to remember every rule so no one got cross.
I’ve ignored what felt too loud, too bright, too much.

And by the time I reach you, there’s nothing left in the tank.

What looks like defiance, tears, shutdown, or anger after school is often exhaustion from masking.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone — and neither is your child.

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.
If you’d like the boy version, comment BOY below.

My Masking Toolkit supports parents and educators to understand masking, recognise the hidden load, and reduce the pressure children carry just to be accepted. Link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

01/15/2026

👶💕 You’re Invited to the Shower Baby With Love – Community Baby Shower! 💕👶
Are you expecting or parenting a little one under the age of one? Join us for a FREE event filled with community resources, raffles, giveaways, light refreshments, and so much more!

🎁 The first 100 attendees will receive a diaper bag filled with goodies (one per family).
🚗 Plus—FREE car seat inspections and FREE pack-n-play and car seats for qualifying families!
📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 YMCA Mitchell Center

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/5yzbxxum or scan the QR code on the flyer! We look forward to celebrating our growing families together 💖

01/15/2026

The child who unravels after school isn’t “being naughty”… they’re finally safe enough to fall apart.

All day they’ve been holding it together.

Following rules. Managing noise. Coping with social pressure. Keeping their body still when it wanted to move. Smiling when they didn’t feel okay.

Then they walk through the door and it all spills out.
Tears. Rage. Clinginess. Silence. “Attitude.” Meltdowns.

This isn’t misbehaviour. It’s release.
It’s the nervous system exhaling after hours of effort.

So if your child falls apart at home, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It often means you’re their safest place.

Respond with empathy, not punishment.
Connection first. Then calm boundaries.

More support for after-school restraint collapse with our toolkit: link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

01/15/2026

One small task that could have a BIG payoff! Learn more or start your application today by visiting bit.ly/373L80c.

01/15/2026

Support is here for youth in crisis. Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) are now available statewide at no charge for those 20 or under. Just call 988 and ask for MRSS to connect with a trained response team.

Learn more at MRSS.Ohio.Gov.

01/15/2026

01/15/2026

01/12/2026

01/12/2026

Birds of a Feather Read Together: Adult Winter Reading Program begins TODAY! Begin logging minutes read and completing activities to get started earning tickets to enter for prizes. https://lickingcountylibrary.beanstack.org/reader365

01/12/2026

A new year’s resolution for parents everywhere: Let’s embrace imperfection and grow alongside our kids, one day at a time.

Positive parenting gives you simple tools for calmer and more connected relationships.

Ease up on yourself, it’s good for you, and models resilience for your kids

Comment for our article: 'How to be kinder to yourself as a parent'