Parenting, as any parent or anyone who has spent more than a few minutes with young children knows, can be difficult, lonely, confusing, exhausting and expensive. It can be wonderful too, but who needs help during those moments. It is during the tough times when parents need somewhere to turn, especially a place that doesn’t cost any additional money.

Here on the Vineyard we have the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center. Take a look, for example, at what the center is offering parents during the upcoming week.

Monday: Open playground from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and baby’s first year from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Provider playgroup from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and open playgroup from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Open playgroup from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Thursday: Baby’s first year from 10:30 to noon and food allergies in school from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Friday: Coffee and conversation from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

And this is just a sampling of next week. All year long the Family Center offers different programs. Visit their Web site at mvcommunityservices.com or call 508-693-7900 for schedules and more information.