Parenting Resources
Parenting does not come with a training manual! We all strive to be the best parents that we can be but may not know where to turn to in times of need. At the Family Care Office, we understand that today's parents have multiple demands and needs and want to help you find the services and support. We hope that this parenting section will provide you with some helpful resources and information for your parenting concerns and development.
Stages of Development
Here is a list of useful websites on child's development. Our Library has also a number of books that address issues of parenting, pregnancy and health. For more detailed information about our resources check out our annotated bibliography.
Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs
Canadian Parenting Website
Caring for Kids
Child Development Institute
Children's Mental Health Ontario
Growing Healthy Canadians
Invest in Kids
Kids Development
Parent Help Line
Parents for Children's Mental Health
Public Health Agency of Canada: Childhood & Adolescence
Today's Parents
Toronto Public Health
Web Aware: Media Awareness Network
Teens
Just as adolescence is a journey from childhood to adulthood, parenting your teenager can be a journey of personal growth and development. At the Family Care Office, we understand that along this parenting journey may come challenging and stressful situations that can require support and information.
The Family Care Office offers workshops that address various facets of adolescence and parenting issues. Please visit our Events for upcoming workshops.
Our Library has a number of books that address issues of parenting teenagers. For more detailed information about our resources, check out our annotated bibliography.
If you are in need of more information regarding parenting issues with your teenager, please contact the Family Care Office for support, information and referrals to community resources.
AboutKidsHealth: Teen sex, Teen Relationships
CAMH: Tips
for Parents On Building Healthy Relationships with their Teenagers
Public Health Agency of Canada: Healthy Development
Public Health Agency of Canada: The Parent-Teen Relationship
Web Aware
Special Needs/Disability
A child with a disabilities or challenging behaviour may need extra support and resources to overcome daily challenges. Visit our Library for annotated bibliography of books that may be of interest to parents of children with disabilities. More...
Childproofing Your Home
Each year millions of children are hurt or injured in the home. Many of these incidents can be prevented by taking simple precautions to help minimize potential hazards. Children are curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings. While many hazards in the home seem too obvious to be considered unsafe, they are often the most important ones to be aware of. Taking a few preventative measures to minimize dangers can dramatically reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring in and around the house.
Babyproofingplus.com offers the most extensive supply of safety items in all of Canada. You can shop on-line or visit one of their 3 Toronto safety superstore locations.
The following links can provide you with recommendations to help reduce the risk of injury and accidents in the home. Please be advised that the Family Care Office offers information for reference purposes only and does not take responsibility for the quality of information provided through these websites.
The Children's Safety Association of Canada
A Canadian Non-Profit Association that offers a wide range of information about children's safety. Free information can be accessed via a toll-free hotline number at 1-888-499-4444 or through their website. A free Safety Information Package and Child Print Kit can be ordered from The Children's Safety Association of Canada or picked up at the Family Care Office.
Safe Kids Canada
By the National Injury Prevention Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Provides information on how to prevent injuries for children of various ages, in a variety of settings. Focus: children up to the age of 9.
Caring for Kids
The Canadian Paediatric Society. Offers child health information from Canada's paediatric experts. Covers a variety of topics. including: safety, illness, behaviour, diet, and immunization. Information is updated yearly. Focus: infants to teens.
Safe and Secure
By the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, this site outlines how to choose and use car seats for children of all ages.
Online Smart
U of T developed website regarding online safety which provides links to information, tools and resources for managing your online identity.
Child Safety Specialists located in Toronto:
BABYPROOFERS
Phone: 416-561-2524
KIDDIE PROOFERS
Phone: 416-785-5437 or toll free 1-800-601-5437
InteliHealth
By Aetna Inc. An interactive website which allows you to navigate through the home and discover the possible dangers that exist in each room.
Ethnocultural Resources
Toronto is famous for its immensely diverse communities; here is a small sampling of websites to represent some of those communities.
Visit the University of Toronto Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office for programs and services to students, faculty and staff across the three campuses.
LGBTQ Parenting Resources
Resources On Campus
LGBTOUT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgendered of the University of Toronto)
LGBTOUT is an informal organization of diverse people that is continuously evolving. With a 30-year history working in, with and for our community on campus, LGBTOUT provides a focus for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgendered and Queer presence on campus, as well as a forum for discussing LGBTQ issues both politically and socially. LGBTOUT seeks to fulfill a broad spectrum of mandates, including: providing a place for LGBTQ students and alumni to socialize; providing an opportunity to be involved in political actions around LGBTQ issues; working with other groups to fight oppression and discrimination on campus, in society and on the street; and fighting homophobia in as many ways as possible, no matter where or how it presents itself.
Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
The Sexual & Gender Diversity Office at the University of Toronto is dedicated to and works towards addressing discrimination based on sexual and gender diversity.
Sexual Education Centre at the University of Toronto
A student-run collective dedicated to promoting healthy perspectives on human sexuality and relationships. The need for a free, supportive and nonjudgmental space where students may learn and discuss issues regarding healthy sexuality and relationships continues to be manifested among this large University campus and its surrounding community.
Community Resources
LGBTQ Programs at the 519 Church Street Community Centre
Gay Fathers of Toronto is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to provide a supportive environment to gay men who are in a parenting role by providing assistance in building self-confidence and by supporting them in their endeavors to be loving and responsible fathers and caregivers. Please note that you do not need to be out in order to attend group meetings and activities. Many men who come to GFT are still in some stage of a marriage, either still living with a spouse, separated, or uncertain of their sexual orientation. Meetings are held every other Thursday at 7:30pm at the YMCA (fourth floor, 42 Charles Street East).
GFT also has a support line open four nights each week (Monday to Thursday) from 7pm to 10pm -- 416-410-0438. Information on meetings and social events can also be obtained by calling the GFT information line at 416-925-9872, ext. 2124. Contact information@gayfathers-toronto.com for more information.
The Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Trans (LGBT) Parenting Network
The LGBT Parenting Network is a project of the David Kelley Services, Family Service Association of Toronto. Thanks to funding from the Counselling Foundation of Canada this organization is in a position to develop resources, including written materials and seminars, for LGBT parents in and around the Greater Toronto Area. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rachel Epstein, LGBT Parenting Network Coordinator, at 416-595-0307 ext. 270. You can also email Rachel at rachelep@fsatoronto.com. Please note that the LGBT Parenting Network's newsletter, Pride & Joy, will soon be available online. Contact Rachel if you wish to receive the newsletter by email, or to simply be kept posted on events and activities relevant to LGBT parents.
Children
COLAGE: Children Of Gays And Lesbians Everywhere
A social support group for students (grade three and up) with lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender parents. The Toronto-based group meets twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesday at the 519 Church Street Community Centre from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. This group provides the opportunity for children to meet new friends, talk confidentially about issues that are important to them and have fun in a supportive environment. For more information, please contact Steven Solomon, School Social Worker, Toronto District School Board, at 416-397-3749 or steven.solomon@tdsb.on.ca.
The Anti-Homophobia Equity Coalition (AHEC) is a coalition of parents, educators and youth. The AHEC is working in cooperation with the LGBT Parenting Network in order to discuss what kinds of information and/or resources are needed to assist LGBT families in dealing with the school system and fighting hatred and homophobia. For more information, contact Rachel Epstein at 416-595-0307, ext. 270, or rachelep@fsatoronto.com. The majority of hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer individuals go unreported. LGBTQ facilitates anonymous reporting for victims, witnesses and individuals aware of hate crimes on campus. Visit the LGBTQ Resources & Programs website for more information.
PFLAG (formerly Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) helps families deal with, understand, and accept their non-heterosexual children. By looking at sexual orientation and gender identity issues from a family perspective this site provides support, education and resources for families of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, two-spirited, intersex, queer or questioning individuals.
Offers support groups, drop-in groups, scholarships, and clubs for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth.
Family Care Library
Our Library contains a wide range of materials and books family care topics and community services. Items are available for loan. Visit our Library for books on lesbian and gay parenting issues.
More Resources
Provides parents with information about child's health. Developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society.
A resource for lesbians and gay men who are, or wish to be, parents.
Provides online listings for gay oriented businesses, services and classifieds, with maps of Toronto and information on support and social organizations.
The online version of the popular Canadian magazine that addresses a wide range of parenting and family related issues.
New Website: Queering Toronto Public Schools
QTPS.ca is an online meeting place dedicated to making Toronto public elementary schools more trans-and queer-positive for students and families. Visit QTPS.ca to post and share resources, take part in general and school-specific discussions, and find other queer parents, teachers, and allies at your school.
Separation and Divorce
Going through separation or divorce can be a stressful and difficult time in your life. Visit Caring for Yourself to find out how to help yourself and your child cope with the effects of separation or divorce.