An Open Letter To Parents

If there is one thing that we can all agree on, it’s that COVID-19 is the biggest buzzkill of 2020 (and that’s using my G-rated language). Let’s be honest. This whole distance learning experience is not what most of us signed up for, and it’s not what our educators signed up for either.

I’m not here to argue about your position on masks, numbers, or cast blame on any individual, group or political affiliation, but rather to share my thoughts on the power of choice and using your spheres of influence for good.

As parents, we have the unpopular responsibility to sit our children down and explain that life isn’t fair and things don’t always go as planned.

That’s a tough pill to swallow at any age.

To my sisters and brothers with Littles: I feel for you.

Parenting Littles is physically and emotionally exhausting. Add on educating them, and there isn’t enough booze in the world to make that ok.

My unsolicited advice to parents of Littles:

• Find your people.
• Rely on each other.
• Vent privately.
• Lower the bar on screen time.
• Raise the bar on life skills
• Pray that the academics will fall into place.

To my fellow parents of Bigs. I am right there with you.

Young adulthood is hard. Every decision they have to make seems so big and so permanent.

If they only knew that it wasn’t.

My unsolicited advice to parents of Bigs:

• Be there as a lifeline.
• Be there to listen, but allow them to navigate their own waters responsibly.
• Explain that quitting is not an option.
• Teach them to advocate for themselves and ask for help.
• Empower them with trust, independence and respect — It will do more for them than you know.

As I have always said to my kids “You cannot control the hand you’ve been dealt, but you do have a choice on how you respond to it.”

Public shaming of our schools, teachers, and administrators who truly want to do right by their students while navigating their own health and family situation is just plain unkind.

Anger, Blame and Finger-Pointing requires a fraction of what it takes to show Empathy, Mercy and Grace.

And guess what? Our kids are smarter than you think.

They are taking our cues. You are leading by example.

We all have superpowers, and we have a choice on whether we are going to use them for good, or for evil.

I’m asking you to join me in choosing to use yours for good.

Your kids are watching.

Laurie Palau is the author of the book HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized and host of the weekly podcast This ORGANIZED Life. She lives in Bucks County, PA with her husband, 2 (almost grown) daughters and dog Jeter. For additional information visit www.simplyBorganized.com