Can You Help?

One of the things I'm finding particularly frustrating about my job as a Host Parent for ParentsConnect is meeting the needs of members while the community is growing and the site is changing to meet its demands. For example, one of the things that has become obvious is that while the numbers visiting the site are still relatively small, it can be hard for people who need advice to get it quickly. A single plea for help can get easily lost asmidst such a large number of boards.

There are several fixes in the works to make that less and less of a problem; the problem will also abate naturally, as more and more people begin to come to the site on a regular basis. But in the meantime, for those of us hosting boards where we hear requests for advice go answered, it can be frustrating.

Which is why I'm writing. In an attempt to take matters into my own hands while ParentsConnect goes through its learning curve (aka beta testing), I'm going to institute a new feature here: Can You Help? Once a week or so I'm going to post a series of links directly to posts from people who need advice that I can't give. If you're so inclined, go and give these people a hand. (Yes, registration at the site will be required for you to post a comment; I have no way around that.) Also, if you know of anyone who might be able to help a particular poster, please forward them the link, or email the relevant entry here, and ask them to join in.

As an extra inducement, some of us Host Parents have been talking about maybe putting together a weekly raffle from those of you who step up to the plate and help out. More details on that, soon.

And now, without further delay:

Can you help a mom who can't find a dentist who will let her go back with her 2-year-old while cavities are filled?

Can you help a mom whose son was recently put on Ritalin?

Can you help a mom who is trying to deal with the typical 'sandwich generation issues of caring for babies and elderly parents at the same time?

Can you help a parent looking for altmed treatments for asthma?

Can you help a mom dealing with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)?