PARENTING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Being a parent has never been harder. Nothing is the same. Our children may not be vaccinated or may not be able to be in school and have their more normal lives. Our children may be dealing with the loss of loved ones and the life they knew, and they may be struggling with their mental health and facing depression, anxiety, and significant mental illness like eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, suicidal thoughts and other difficult challenges. We have never been more worried, overwhelmed or exhausted. Our worlds have been turned upside down and we are trying to keep working, while dealing with job loss and fearful about the security and safety of our families. We may be parenting young ones in isolation and struggling to keep it together. We parents are doing everything we can and yet we are running on empty, dealing with our own concerns and emotions and trying to keep it together for our kids. This is a nearly impossible challenge. Now is the time to get support.

PREGNANT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Having a baby is always a significant experience that can be full of many feelings including excitement, anxiety, depression, joy and fear. Giving birth during the Covid-19 Pandemic brings another layer of challenges. We may be concerned about giving birth under the current circumstances, worried about our safety and having people we need and love with us as we give birth, concerned about whether to vaccinate or not vaccinate, and living with the unknown of what will happen if we or our loved ones are sick. If you are having strong feelings, are overwhelmed by your emotions, thoughts are spinning in your brain or other intense experiences, know that you are not alone. There has never been a more important time to reach out and get help.

In difficult times we need each other more than ever. We need somewhere to say the hard things. Join us at an upcoming support group for parents.

FIND SUPPORT GROUPS HERE

PROVIDING SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS IS CRITICAL

Those of us who support parents know how they are struggling and understand that they need immediate support to thrive. Bring GPS Groups to the parents you serve. They need us more than ever.

FIND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES HERE

GPS for Parents is for Every Parent

Becoming a parent is one of the most confusing journeys a person will ever take. There is no one “right” road. Each parent and child are different, come from different places, travel in different vehicles and are heading on a unique path of their own. Scratch the surface of any parent, even the ones that look like they have it all together, and you will hear stories of struggle and hardship; financial pressures, medical and mental health problems for parents and children, family conflict, addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, discrimination, racial, cultural and religious targeting, fear for our children’s safety, and even loneliness.

Parenting is the hardest and most important job in the world and most parents are doing it without adequate resources; social, emotional or structural. But some things are universal. We all need a rest stop. We all need to refuel our tanks. We all need a map and some road signs along the way to help us on our journey. And we all need people to support and guide us when we feel lost or confused.

GPS groups welcome families warmly and respectfully just as they are. Sometimes all that’s needed is a strong shoulder to lean on and a safe place to talk with others during a hard time. When people share the truth of their experience in a safe, non-judgmental place, with people who understand and care, something profound happens. They realize that they are not alone, that they are stronger than they think and that they can take the next step forward in their lives with support and confidence.

When we strengthen parents, we strengthen families. When we strengthen families, we strengthen communities. When we strengthen communities, we strengthen our world.

Beth Spong, COO Treehouse Foundation, An intergenerational community for foster youth

I know it is going to be a long road to travel, but today was already so much better than all the days before. Being understood is sometimes all I need to take on another day’s challenges! And the internal changes shift my whole family dynamic, to one of more understanding, care and tenderness.

As a dad, I want to be there for my kids, but it’s really hard. When I feel stressed I’m not there for them like I want to be. I never thought I’d want to talk to other men but what a relief! I can talk about what I’m feeling and they get it. I always leave feeling better after talking in group.

GPS Groups for Parents serves:
  • Pregnant and postpartum parents
  • Non-gestational, adoptive, foster, non-custodial, stepparents and primary caregivers
  • Non-binary and gender non-conforming parents
  • Parents struggling with perinatal emotional complications, such as postpartum depression, anxiety and PTSD
  • Parents with history of trauma
  • Parents of Color including Black, Latinx and other communities
  • Parents facing racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia and other experiences of discrimination, violence and oppression
  • Refugee, immigrant and non-English speaking parents
  • Teen, young and low income parents
  • Parents in recovery
  • Homeless parents
  • Parents who have suffered pregnancy/infant/child loss
  • Currently or formerly incarcerated parents
  • Faith-based parents including Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other traditions