In the last article, I shared what happened when I finally made the call to the New Parent Support Program—and how that first home visit began to shift everything.

By the time Taylor and I had met a few times, I felt like I could finally exhale. The questions in my head hadn’t magically disappeared, but I wasn’t answering them alone anymore. I had real support—from someone who knew what she was talking about and genuinely cared.

As grounding as those visits were, the biggest shift didn’t happen during a checklist or a chat in my living room. It happened when Taylor gently nudged me toward something I hadn’t even realized I’d been avoiding: other people. Other moms.

That’s where the next part of this journey begins—because the real breakthrough? She got me out of the house.

I had an October baby. A flu season newborn. I wasn’t just isolated — I was terrified. The zoo, a
park trip here or there, but I hadn’t once taken my baby to an indoor event with other kids. I still
had PTSD from catching hand-foot-and-mouth while babysitting in college. But Taylor gently
(and persistently) encouraged me to come to the NPSP baby playgroup. She said she’d be
there and it would be low-key.

These playgroups are one of the best parts of NPSP. They’re offered regularly (often weekly or
monthly depending on the installation), and they help both parents and children connect, learn,
and build relationships. The supervised, developmentally appropriate play time provides parents
with peer support and access to professionals — all in a safe space.

So I went.

Yes, a 3-year-old almost stepped on my 9-month-old. Yes, I hovered like a hawk. But we got out
of the house. I got pictures of my son living his best baby life. I met other parents. I didn’t
implode. It was a win.

Today, my son is 19 months old. Taylor has since moved to a new base, and we now have
another worker who visits monthly and is just as fabulous. We talk about toddler tantrums, picky
eating, language bursts, and screen time guilt. Also — about me. How I’m doing. What I
need. What hobbies would help my mental health. How I’m managing.

This program didn’t just help me parent — it became part of my village.

So if you’re a military parent who thinks NPSP is just for people who “don’t know what they’re
doing” — spoiler: none of us know what we’re doing. Staff can answer one time questions or
meet ongoing for as long as you would like. This program isn’t about fixing “bad parenting” —
it’s about supporting you so you can thrive, not just survive…

That’s what makes the New Parent Support Program such a vital part of military life. It doesn’t just offer help with parenting—it offers help to the parent. It supports mental health, eases the weight of isolation, and creates space for genuine connection in a world that often demands quiet resilience. Sometimes, that support looks like tantrum tools and milestone charts. Other times, it’s a person showing up at your door, looking you in the eye, and reminding you that you’re doing your very best. In a lifestyle where community can feel temporary and support hard to find, NPSP shows up with compassion, consistency, and a simple but powerful reminder: you don’t have to do this alone.

Don’t miss any parts of our Striving Baby, Barely Surviving Mom Series! Make sure to check them all out!

Explore More with My Military Lifestyle and Family!