To the mothers and fathers who are now quite familiar with the blurred lines of work-life balance and juggling more than you anticipated
To the parents who never quite got the hang of virtual school for various reasons
To the families living in hotels who were already under water before schools and businesses closed
To the parents who are in financial limbo due to job loss, illness and shelter-in-place restrictions
To the co-parents who have been under the same roof for weeks for the sake of their children
To the single parent who has nowhere to turn for food
To the first time parents still trying to find comfort in the chaos
To the mother who was already struggling with mental health before the outbreak
To the widowed father who is still mourning his loss and trying to figure out how to care for two young children alone
To the black and brown parents who are now even more fearfully of giving birth in a hospital due to the black maternal mortality rate
To the families who had their whole way of life ripped from them due to the virus
To the low income & middle class families who continue to be disproportionately marginalized & stifled due to institutionalized racism, broken systems and hypocrisy
To the couples who had to put IVF, adoption or dreams of a family on hold
To the trans and non-binary people who are having an even more difficult time with finding trustworthy, knowledgeable care providers
To the couples who's marriage is suffering and your kids are on the receiving end of that anguish
To the parents who are sending their children off into the real world at a time like this
To the empty-nesters who haven't seen their children in weeks/months
To the grandparents who have yet to meet their grandchildren
To the parents on the frontlines who haven't kissed or hugged their kids or loved ones in weeks
To the refugee and immigrant families still locked up in cages by our selfish, ruthless and incompetent president
To any family who has experienced a loss of any kind during the pandemic...
I see you. I acknowledge your hurt, fear and sorrow.
It's okay to cry and be sad.
It's okay to be angry.
It's okay to be disappointed.
Feel those feelings. Every single one of them. They are valid and normal.
It's also okay to ask for space.
And love & comfort.
And support.
It's okay because you are now on a new path.
A path that was a part of your destiny all along. A path that will lead you to something greater.
This will be a defining moment on your parenting journey, but this single moment will not define you as a parent.
You will rise up and be a light for your children and family. You may stumble a bit, but that's why we have one another. To lean on and exchange grace.
We will get through this. Together.
For local and state COVID-19 updates and resources, click here.
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