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Dear Parents,
YOU MATTER by Dr. Stacie Herrera, Herrera Psychology
Parental burnout is a real thing, and it’s something many are feeling right now. There is a youth mental health crisis in our country, and a child care crisis that is leaving so many feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. It is challenging to be a parent these days, especially when you throw in a worldwide pandemic. But beating ourselves up for not parenting to some standard that someone else put upon us is not healthy.
‹‹‹ Give Yourself Some Care and Compassion ››› I challenge you to find ways that you are being successful in your parenting, however big or small that success might look. It matters. Because you are doing the best that you can with the knowledge and resources that you have. We all are. The truth is, we are raising children during tough times. Navigating the use of technology,
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GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
the reality of school shootings, a youth mental health crisis, and all the other struggles of parenting is a real challenge. Now, with a global pandemic still lingering, NPR explains that parents everywhere “are losing their tempers, losing sleep, and losing jobs when the child care they pay for is canceled, over and over.” It is only natural to feel alone and overwhelmed, being forced to make decisions with unclear messages from the world around us and limited child care support. As parents and guardians, we have been tasked with playing a variety of roles over the past two years, while working remotely and attempting to navigate the often confusing guidelines provided during the pandemic. We’ve experienced decision-fatigue, zoom fatigue, remote learning fatigue; all while attempting to allow our children to meet developmental milestones and expectations. Instead of telling you to do one more thing...I ask you to pause, take
a breath, and reflect on all of the little things that are going well. I want you to repeat: “I am a good parent.” I encourage you to give yourself a heaping dose of compassion in this moment.
‹‹‹ Show Your Child What Care and Compassion Looks Like ››› We can get so wrapped up in how society thinks we “should” parent, we forget that our kids simply want us to love them. Your children love you. It’s so important to show up for them however you can. When it comes down to it, the grades don’t matter. The school they go to doesn’t matter. What matters most is wrapping them in your love so they learn that they can withstand anything—even a pandemic. If you begin to recognize those moments of connection with your child, this will allow you to feel
