Best Websites for New and Expecting Parents

Thanks to widespread internet access, parenting children does not need be lonely. Modern parents have access to numerous websites geared directly toward parents. Unlike parents from just 10 to 15 years ago, parents will always be able to find someone dealing with the same issues as at the same time. At the very least, they will be able to find someone who has already experienced these issues. Here are some of the best parenting websites online to connect you to other parents all around the world.

Parentsoup.com is now part of the ivillage family of websites ( parenting.ivillage.com ). It is a multifaceted site filled with articles on every subject from fertility to school, to teens and tweens. There are also advice columns on the website where parents can ask questions on children, medicine, toys, and fashion. One great bonus item on this site is customized fertility and pregnancy calendars.

Thecradle.com is an website with a question and answer format for pregnant families and new parents. There is an emphasis on eco-friendly advice and products. A great bonus for this site is the database of more than 50,000 baby games.

Pluggedinparents.com is a website offering advice from a pediatric nurse practitioner. It also provides users with recipes and family advice such as the pros and cons of getting a dog. The bonus item for this website is movie reviews and critiques by families so you can make educated decisions about movie viewing.

Families.com is a website with a robust discussion forum, advice blogs on subjects from pregnancy, to babies, to education, and marriage. Membership is free and parents can also have their own blog or journal through this website. The bonus item for this site is access to thousands of online grocery coupons and samples.

Motherhoodlater.com is geared toward mothers who are 35 years of age or older. This site encourages and supports families through fertility and surrogacy. As serious as it all sounds, this website has an amazing humorous side through the blog as moms deal with being mothers mistaken for grandmothers. The bonus for this website is the ability to join a local chapter and set up play dates.

Whattoexpect.com Is a compliment to the wildly popular What to Expect When You're Expecting series of books. This website has taken the books to a whole new interactive level and includes numerous resources. As with the books, parents will find information on pre-conception, conception, pregnancy, and the first through the toddler years of life. Parents will enjoy blogs, parent boards, and featured bloggers as well. The bonus feature of this website is the baby shop where you can great items for your baby.

Babycenter.com is a font of knowledge for expecting parents. Topics include childbirth, infant care, and the health and development of babies and toddlers. The site features articles, parent blogs, and message boards. This website also has a baby name database andis a good support center for those struggling with parental responsibilities.