Parenting with Love, Strength, and Purpose in Uncertain Times
There’s no way to sugarcoat this: we are parenting in a time of deep division, political turbulence, and systemic injustice. For many of us, the past few years have been exhausting, confusing, and even heartbreaking. And now, with Trump’s second presidency in motion, the weight of it all feels even heavier.
Maybe this is the first time you’re fully grasping the impact of these policies on your children. Maybe you’ve tried to shield them, hoping that if you kept life “normal,” they wouldn’t feel the fear and instability that so many communities are experiencing. If that’s the case, I want to start by saying this: it’s okay. No one has all the answers. Parenting is messy, and it’s full of moments where we realize we could have done more, said more, or understood more. What matters most is what you do next.
If your child is feeling the direct effects of this administration—whether it’s fear over immigration policies, anxiety about climate change, the pain of racial injustice, or the heartbreak of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation—you have the power to be their anchor. Your love, your support, and your willingness to step up in this moment can shape how they weather this storm.
This is about more than just helping them “cope.” This is about raising children who know their worth, who understand justice, and who believe that even in the face of cruelty, love and resistance will always be stronger forces.
1. Create a Safe Space for Their Emotions
Imagine a child standing in the middle of a storm, wind whipping around them, rain soaking them to the bone. That storm is the world right now—chaotic, unpredictable, and sometimes terrifying. You? You are their shelter.
Children need to know that no matter what is happening outside, inside—within your home, your arms, your love—they are safe.
Acknowledge Their Feelings:
When your child says, “I’m scared,” or “I’m angry,” don’t dismiss them. Don’t say, “It’ll be fine” if it might not be. Instead, let them know their feelings are real and valid. “I hear you. I see you. I understand why you feel this way.”
Provide a Judgment-Free Zone:
Maybe they’re questioning their place in the world. Maybe they’re grappling with anger toward the government, teachers, or even friends who don’t understand. Let them process without fear of shame or punishment.
Encourage Expression:
Kids often communicate their deepest feelings through play, art, music, or movement. Give them the tools to express what words sometimes can’t.
2. Be Honest, But Age-Appropriate
You don’t need to unload every political detail onto your child, but you do need to be truthful. The goal isn’t to make them fearful—it’s to make them aware, empowered, and reassured that they are not alone.
For Young Children (Ages 3-6):
Keep it simple and focused on security. “No matter what happens in the world, my job is to keep you safe, and I will always do that.”
For School-Aged Kids (Ages 7-12):
Begin connecting issues to values they understand—kindness, fairness, standing up for others. Share stories of past movements where people fought for justice and won.
For Teenagers (Ages 13+):
Encourage critical thinking. Give them resources, books, and ways to engage. Let them talk, ask questions, and even challenge ideas (including yours). They need to see that they have agency.
3. Surround Them with Support
If your child belongs to a community that is being directly harmed—whether they are LGBTQ+, a child of immigrants, or a person of color—they need to see that they are not alone.
LGBTQ+ Youth:
With anti-LGBTQ+ policies on the rise, it’s critical that your child has affirming spaces. Organizations like The Trevor Project, PFLAG, and local LGBTQ+ centers can be lifelines.
Children of Color:
If your child is experiencing racial discrimination, make sure they are surrounded by role models, books, and communities that affirm their identity and heritage. Let them know they belong—everywhere.
Immigrant Families:
If your family is facing the uncertainty of immigration policies, connect with legal aid organizations and advocacy groups. Even if you don’t have all the answers, reassure your child that you are fighting for them.
The simple truth? Community heals. Make sure your child knows where to find theirs.
4. Reinforce Their Worth and Power
Right now, your child might be hearing messages that tell them they are “less than.” Less important. Less deserving. Less safe. You must be the voice that drowns that out.
Affirm Their Strength:
Say it out loud: “You are powerful. You are important. Your voice matters.” Repeat it. Every single day.
Teach Resistance Through History:
Show them that change is possible. Teach them about past activists—Rosa Parks, Harvey Milk, Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg. Remind them: The world has been unjust before. People challenged the world. And they won.
Encourage Self-Advocacy:
If your child is interested, help them get involved—writing letters, attending protests, or engaging in student activism. Action is an antidote to helplessness.
5. Protect Their Mental Health
Let’s be clear: political trauma is real. Studies show that children exposed to high levels of discrimination and instability are at greater risk for anxiety, depression, and even physical health issues.
Set News Boundaries: Kids don’t need to be glued to the news. Teach them when to unplug.
Prioritize Joy: Make space for laughter, play, and rest. Joy is not a luxury—it’s an act of resistance.
Check In Regularly: Ask, “How are you really feeling?” Listen. Validate. Support.
According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 90% of Gen Z say the government and politics are a significant source of stress. This isn’t just adult business—our kids are carrying this too. And they need us to help them hold it.
6. Make Love and Safety Unconditional
No matter what happens in the world, your child needs to know:
• You are loved.
• You are safe here.
• We will always stand beside you.
Say it. Show it. Live it.
Daily Affirmations: “I love you. I am here for you. We are in this together.”
Consistency and Routine: Even small, predictable rituals—family dinners, bedtime stories, Sunday walks—can create a sense of security in an unpredictable world.
Model Strength and Hope: Let them see that even in difficult times, love, resilience, and community endure.
Final Thoughts: Your Role in This Moment
I won’t lie to you: this is hard. Parenting in times like these requires courage, patience, and an unshakable commitment to showing up—even when you’re exhausted, even when you don’t have all the answers.
But remember this: you are not alone either.
You are part of a community of parents raising children who will not accept hate, injustice, or cruelty as the norm. You are raising children who will know love, who will fight for what’s right, who will build something better.
That work starts now. With you. With them. With love.
Please check out the following survey to let us know today whether you feel a Parenting in 2025 Support Group would help YOU by chatting with your community about these and similar issues:
#ConsciousParenting #IntentionalParenting #ResilientKids #ParentingInCrisis #SocialJusticeParenting #RaisingChangemakers #ParentingThroughPolitics #ProtectOurKids #ActivistParenting #MentalHealthMatters #SafeSpaceForKids #EmpoweredParenting #ParentingWithLove #ChildrenDeserveBetter #PoliticalTrauma #KidsMentalHealth #SupportOurChildren #FightForJustice #RaisingTheFuture #UnwaveringLove #ParentingInUncertainTimes #TeachKidsJustice #AdvocacyParenting #ParentingWithPurpose #EqualityForAll #HopeForTheFuture #RaisingResilientChildren #ProtectVulnerableCommunities #SpeakUpForKids #LoveIsResistance #parentingwithyoureyesopen
Commentaires