It’s OK to tell your kids you’re scared.

It’s OK to tell your kids you’re scared.

Whether you’re internally or externally scared there’s probably not a person right now who isn’t scared. Talk to them.

Tell them how you’re feeling. Think back to your own childhood. Looking back to you remember a lot of Ramen noodle nights? Bills were probably right and let’s face it, Ramen is still one of the cheapest meals out there.

Would you have been more empathetic as a child if you knew? Maybe you wouldn’t have pestered about a Nintendo if you knew it financially wasn’t an option.

Talk to them about what a disease means. Explain how it spreads and if it applies to you, talk about what it means to not have job…

Kids are much more understanding than we give them credit for. Who knows your kid might come and give you that random hug you really needed. Maybe they’ll finally clean their room without a fight. (That might be wishful thinking but it might not.)

A lot of us have become accustomed to not sharing how we feel with our kids. We’re parents right? We’re supposed to have all the answers. Since this generation has never encountered something like this, how are you supposed to have all the answers? If you know someone who does, maybe directing every American their way could be beneficial for all.

Here’s an idea, cry in front of them.

Explain why you’re crying. Showing that we have emotions just like they do makes you that much more relate-able and HUMAN to our kids. 90% of brain development occurs before age five. We’re setting precedence about how kids are “supposed” to feel and react to hard times. When this is all over what do you want your kids to take away?

You’re doing the best you can and your kids don’t always have to be happy. Kids need a present parent, not a perfect one.

Praying for everyone families as this impacts each and every household in America.