Abstract
The study is aimed at gaining knowledge of need for and satisfaction with local community support for parents. In Kumla, a smallish municipality in Sweden, seven focus groups were undertaken, covering in all 22 parents of children aged 9 months to 15 years. The interview guide consisted of seven themes, and, in addition, the short version of the KASAM questionnaire was used to study sense of coherence. The parents were pleased with the programmes run by maternal and child health services. These offered the parents valuable support; participation and a network of people in a similar situation, through continuous group sessions, as well as confirmation in the role as a parent. As the child grows older these needs tend to increase, but societal support decreases. Preschool and school services do not arrange regular sessions where topics of joy and difficulties in parenthood can be raised. Thus, to reduce the discrepancy, a social programme focusing on both the growing child and on the family should be established.