Recently, my 3-year-old had an exhaustion "meltdown" on a busy street. Lots of people walked by, exchanging glances or just looking at us as I tried to convince her to get off the sidewalk. Then, a dad walked by and said, "Don't worry about it. We have all been there, and it is stressful." The moment he spoke, I felt a little part of me relax, as if another parent supported me in my struggle.

Parental support has a powerful and positive impact on parents. Research on parent-to-parent interventions strongly illustrates this. For example, research indicates that participation in these programs leads to improved parenting practices, with studies showing increased positive reinforcement and reduced physical punishment.

Research demonstrates that the positive effects of these programs are largely attributable to decreases in parenting stress and increased parenting efficacy. Children raised by well-supported parents tend to demonstrate better cognitive, social, and emotional development. Reduced parental stress and improved parenting practices create a more nurturing and supportive home environment for children.

Despite the powerful effects of parent-to-parent support and parenting programs, many........

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