Purposeful Parenting: Resources to Encourage Active & Engaged Parents

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated July as Purposeful Parenting Month in recognition of the increased time families spend together during the summer months.

According to the Children’s Bureau (News from CB),  this additional time is ideal for parents and caregivers to practice and cultivate intentional parenting skills that focus on understanding child development. The concept of purposeful parenting centers around parents and caregivers being active and engaged and building strong, positive, and functional families. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics coined the 6 Ps of Purposeful Parenting, which include:

• Purposeful: Set long-term parenting goals.
• Protective: Ensure your child’s basic needs are met.
• Personal: Prioritize showing your child unconditional love and acceptance. 
• Progressive: Approaches to parenting will change as your child grows.
• Positive: Weave positivity and love into communication with your child.
• Playful: Make time to laugh and smile with your child.

Highlighted below are resources that child- and family-serving professionals can use to start conversations about what it means to be a purposeful parent (caregiver). Plus, discover tools to help promote purposeful parenting with the families you work with all year round.

Resources to Encourage Purposeful Parenting

Acenda Integrated Health Blogs: Parenting with Purpose and Parenting with a Purpose

American Academy of Pediatrics Ohio Chapter: An Introduction to Purposeful Parenting

American Society for the Positive Care of Children (SPCC): The 6 P’s of Purposeful Parenting

Children’s Bureau Learning & Coordination Center (CBLCC): Purposeful Parenting Month Social Media Graphics and Messaging

Child Welfare Information Gateway: Parenting with Purpose – A Collection for ALL Parents

Dr. Phil: Seven Tools for Purposeful Parenting from Family First

Facebook Community: The Purposeful Parenting Movement

Kars4Kids Parenting: Purposeful Parenting Month: A Time to Learn and Grow

Michigan Medicine at University of Michigan: 5 Easy Ways to Parent with Purpose

Pollywog Parent Newsletter: July is Purposeful Parenting Month

Psychology Today: Parenting with Purpose

VA News: Purposeful Parenting: What can you accomplish?

Youth Zone: Purposeful Parenting Tips

Extend Your Learning with CalTrin!

CalTrin has hosted several trainings on topics related to parent development and engagement. Access recordings and materials from prior trainings, and check out the calendar for future webinars and workshops! You can also explore our relevant resource collections.  

• Calendar of Live Webinars and Workshops
  • Protective Factor of the Month Series

• Training Archive – Revisit recordings and materials from prior CalTrin trainings:
  • Paternal Perinatal Mental Health: The Changing Face of New Fatherhood
  • The Art and Science of Father Engagement Programming
  • “How About Dad?”: Father Engagement Basics
  • Nurturing Parent & Child Development
  • Building on the Strengths and Resilience of Latine Families
  • Advanced Protective Factors Training

• Relevant CalTrin Blogs
  • Part One: Overview of Child Development
  • Part Two: Social-Emotional Development
  • Part Three: Emotional Regulation
  • The Importance of Father Involvement & Resources to Promote Engagement
  • Keys to a Successful School Year: Resources to Engage Parents and Support Families
  • National Parent Leadership Month: Resources to Celebrate Parent Leaders and Promote Engagement
  • Resources to Support Early Childhood Mental Health
  • Resources for Supporting Military Families
  • Supporting LGBTQ+ & Gender-Diverse Youth
  • Understanding and Integrating the Protective Factors Framework into Everyday Practice

Note: You will need to log in to your CalTrin account to access select archived training materials. You can create a free account here.

*Last updated July 25, 2024