PEPS for Parents

PEPS isn't about pushing a specific parenting philosophy - it's about empowering parents to be confident, connected, and supported through the highs and lows that come with parenthood.

(Image Description: Photo of a PEPS Group meeting in a living room with a purple filter. White text over the image reads: "It's good to know that there is no 'right' way to be a parent, and this group helped me build the confidence to make the decisions that were right for my family and babies.")

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads in our PEPS community! We're wishing you a joyful day of celebration. 💜

Photo credit: Nisha Sridhar
(Image Description: 6 dads holding their babies while sitting around a living room coffee table.)

Today is Juneteenth - a holiday that has been celebrated in many Black communities since the 1860s. Juneteenth recognizes the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received news of the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the formal end to slavery in the US, nearly 2.5 years after it was issued.

Wondering how to talk with your kids about Juneteenth? Check out this guide from the National Museum of African American History and Culture with tips on how to talk about slavery and freedom in age-appropriate ways, an activity to inspire hope and activism, and recommendations for children's books and additional resources:https://nmaahc.si.edu/sites/default/files/files/nmaahc_kids_-_juneteenth_resource.pdf

(Image Description: Red, yellow, and green graphic with photo of a young Black child jumping with his arms up. White text reads: "June 19th Juneteenth Freedom Day")

Adulting is hard. 😵‍💫 PEPS has the tools to help you help your teen figure it out.

Join us for a free, virtual workshop to explore how to support your child's transition to adulthood — from time management and budgeting to home management and personal care. We won’t just explore the what of adulting, but also the how. How do we best support our children in these essential times of transition?

Register for the workshop: https://pepsportal.peps.org/acls/AdoTeensPat/Groups

(Image Description: Photo of a mom and daughter standing at a kitchen counter looking at a phone. Text over an indigo background above reads: "PAT Learning Series: Supporting Adulting of Older Adolescents." Text over a yellow background below reads: "90-minute interactive workshop. Thursday, July 9, 12-1:30 pm Virtual")

🤗 Building your parenting community
🎉 Celebrating the highs and commiserating over the lows with others who get it
📚️ Sharing resources and ideas

PEPS is a parent-focused group that helps you navigate the joys and challenges of parenting with others going through the same phase. Because having a community around you makes the load a little lighter.

(Image Description: Yellow background with 3 speech bubbles in different shades of blue and sparkle and smiley face icons in smaller bubbles. Text reads: "How did PEPS positively impact your experience as a parent? '[It was] absolutely wonderful to share resources, tips, and knowledge to improve my parenting.' '[PEPS] helped me feel more connected and less isolated.' 'Bonding with other parents who are in the exact same stage as us is so helpful.' -2025 PEPS Group Participants")

PEPS builds confidence 💪. Meeting others who are navigating the same phase, talking through highs and lows with a supportive community, and accessing new tips and resources - just a few of the key ingredients for confident, connected parenting!

(Image Description: Fuchsia background with an indigo and yellow pie chart in the center and the PEPS logo in the top right corner. Text reads: "96% of respondents said they felt more confident in their parenting abilities after PEPS. *Based on post-group surveys from Newborn, Second Time Around, and Baby Peppers programs.")

Phones in schools have become a major challenge. Until now, Washington districts have set their own restrictions, but Governor Ferguson is moving to ban phones in schools statewide. Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se2vgTOsRnQ

What are your thoughts on this proposal?

Want to stay up to date on Washington State policy issues relevant to children and families? Sign up for our advocacy email list: https://analytics.clickdimensions.com/cn/akpxr/AdvocacySubscribe

Advocacy Updates Subscription Page

Looking for a way to celebrate Pride as a family this month? Check out this list of Pride Month celebrations from our friends at Seattle's Child: https://www.seattleschild.com/pride-month-in-seattle-how-your-family-can-celebrate/ 🌈

📸: www.kaboompics.com/Pexels
(Image Description: Dad holding baby on an armchair while a rainbow ribbon swirls around them.)

Last month, we wrapped up our Parents of Adolescents and Teens group in partnership with FamilyWorks. Parents finished the group feeling energized, supported, and equipped with new tools for everyday parenting challenges. Parents shared how meaningful it was to practice initiating conversations with their kids about real-life topics while learning alongside other caregivers in a welcoming, dynamic space.

As one parent shared, “I like that the information is shared in a dynamic way, and if we don’t know something, we can ask questions and learn from other experiences."

Interested in bringing a PEPS Group or workshop to your community or organization? Connect with us at [email protected] to learn more!

(Image Description: Several parents in conversation with each other while seated around long tables facing a presenter showing slides.)