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.

Lap Puppets

April Thanhauser of Spindrift Marionettes will join the staff of Plum Hill School to offer a free morning of puppets and crafts tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Family Center at the high school.

April’s puppet show will feature colorful “lap puppets” enacting a medley of nursery rhymes ­— just right for toddlers and preschoolers.

Stephanie DaRosa and Josie Black of Plum Hill will follow with a natural craft activity for parents and children to do together.