Being a parent is hard work. There are no instructions. But there is help if you know where to look.
 
This month's Learning for Life focuses on resources for any and all parents. Included are a look at what local libraries and the state's 13 children's museums offer families, how to find child care in your area and information about the importance of a baby and toddler's oral health. Also featured is the Family Help Line, a statewide hotline for parents.

The series ran all this week. If you missed it, check it out online.

• Monday, Jan. 18: Libraries offer free activities: A lot of new parents think if they sign up for parent-child music classes and group activities they'll give their child a better educational start. But those classes can cost a lot of money. Did you know your child can enjoy a lot of the same types of classes and experiences - for free?
• Tuesday, Jan. 19: What to look for in good child care: The executive director of the Washington Child Care Resource and Referral Network discusses options parents have in choosing child care.
• Wednesday, Jan. 20: Museums can spark children's creativity: Children's Museum of Tacoma Executive Director, Tanya Andrews, talks about how museums can spark your child's creativity.
• Thursday, Jan. 21: Early start essential for healthy teeth and gums: With the help of the Washington Dental Health Foundation, more young children and pediatricians are getting early start building healthy teeth and gums.  
• Friday, Jan. 22: Free parent helpline answering parents' questions: Every parent needs a little help and advice from time to time, but finding someone to listen - and even more so, to give good advice - can be a real challenge at times. KING 5's Deborah Feldman reports about a free parent helpline that's available to help parents with questions big and small.

Learning for Life is a week-long news series on KING 5 TV created in partnership with Thrive by Five Washington. It airs the third week of each month on KING Morning News on KONG 6/16 TV between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.

Links to all Learning for Life segments can be found on Thrive's Web site.