Some days it really feels like the only way to keep sane and keep going is to shut the computer, throw your phone into the nearest body of water, and slap in some earplugs. The news is filled with despair and devastation. The response to hatred is often tempered with more hate. By the end of a day when that's all that's passed through the newsfeed, it's hard to muster up the wherewithal to effectively support our kids through their own fears. The sad truth is, despite our best efforts to shield them from all the scary things in the world- the big, bad, completely unexplainable things like terrorist attacks- it seeps in. They overhear the hushed conversations at school drop off or directly from classmates. News reports of suicide bombers swoop in faster than we can change the station. One tool we've used to help our kids feel safe, loved, secure and compassionate in frightening and uncertain times are these great podcasts from our friends at Sparkle Stories. Each written in the aftermath of difficult news stories, these three free stories are just a relevant today. Hug your kiddos. Just like always, but extra.
Here are five easy steps to giving your new-parent loved ones the advice they are looking for without looking like an idiot. (Often times, just listen!)
If I could offer advice to new moms embarking on the journey I’ve been on, I would tell them to cherish the moments, trust the foundation, and keep talking.
Parenting is about flow, sustainable habits, and family values—not rigid goals and resolutions and left me feeling like a failure when I didn’t hit the mark.
ParentCo.
Author