By Jennifer Wong, CEO and Founder of VISIBLE (Estimated reading time: 3 minutes)
Parenting can feel like a constant cycle of questions, decisions, and unexpected challenges. From choosing the right preschool to figuring out how to handle sleep regressions, parents often find themselves searching for advice, reassurance, or simply someone who understands. While parenting books and expert articles provide valuable guidance, there’s something uniquely powerful about learning from other parents—people who are in it, living the same daily ups and downs.
Why Parent Networks Matter
Parents have always relied on each other for support, but the ways we connect have changed. In the past, parenting wisdom was passed down through family members or shared among neighbors. Today, with many parents juggling careers, multiple responsibilities, and sometimes living far from extended family, finding the right support system isn’t always easy.
Research shows that strong social connections can reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and even contribute to better outcomes for children. Having a trusted network of fellow parents makes it easier to navigate everything from school transitions to feeding challenges. It’s not just about advice—it’s about feeling seen, heard, and supported.
Finding Your Parent Network
Many parents connect through parenting groups, school communities, or local organizations like PEPS, which provide a structured way to meet other parents in similar life stages. These groups create an essential foundation for friendships and shared learning. But what happens after those initial meetups?
As children grow, parents’ needs evolve. A family moving to a new neighborhood may want to find local parents with school-aged kids. A parent navigating a diagnosis may want to talk to someone with firsthand experience. These specific, real-time needs require a way to find and reach the right parents—beyond the people we already know.
Making Connections That Work for You
The best parent networks don’t just happen by chance—they are intentionally built. Whether it’s a formal group or an informal circle of trusted friends, the key is finding ways to stay connected, ask questions, and exchange support.
- Expand Beyond Existing Circles – Meeting parents outside of your immediate social circles can offer fresh perspectives and new friendships.
- Stay Connected Over Time – Life gets busy, but maintaining connections with other parents can provide long-term benefits.
- Make It Easy to Find Advice When You Need It – Instead of scrolling through endless online threads, connecting with parents who have relevant experience makes it easier to find the right guidance.
Today, technology makes it possible to bridge gaps in parent connections. Whether you’re looking for advice on local childcare, hoping to meet parents with shared experiences, or simply wanting to stay in touch with the people you’ve met through PEPS, finding the right tools to support these connections can make all the difference.
VISIBLE is one tool parents are using to reach outside their immediate social circles. VISIBLE is the only network designed exclusively for parents to connect, communicate, and manage their parenting relationships. It’s built on the idea that parenting is a core part of our identity, yet we don’t have an online space dedicated to it. Parents today have tools for their social and professional personas but lack a platform for their parent persona. Download VISIBLE on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Parenting wasn’t meant to be done alone. By building strong, intentional networks, parents can feel more confident, supported, and connected every step of the way.
About the Author
Jennifer Wong is the CEO and founder of VISIBLE, the only network designed exclusively for parents to connect, communicate, and manage their parenting relationships. As a PEPS parent alum and a board member of the Bellevue College Parent Education program and the Seattle Children’s Museum, Jennifer is passionate about strengthening parent connections and making it easier for families to find the support they need. She believes that parenting is better when done together and is committed to building tools that help parents stay connected.
