By Pidgeon | Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Like many of you, I am grappling with the overwhelming reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. I often find myself describing it as “surreal,” yet it is unmistakably real.
As adults navigate this challenging time, donning masks and gloves, sanitizing ourselves and our groceries, canceling summer vacations, and grappling with unpredictability, our children are also filled with fear and sorrow. They are gradually adapting to this new normal, learning from us that health is paramount, but the experiences they once cherished now feel out of reach. Perhaps the greatest loss isn’t just the missed events, but the absence of connection—the joy of engaging in shared moments with family, friends, and the community.
Optimists like myself can see a glimmer of hope: more time to spend with children, leisurely walks, taking a moment to pause, and reevaluating what truly matters. Experts suggest that the most effective way to support our children during this time is simply to listen and validate their emotions without attempting to offer solutions.
As parents, we are also managing our challenges—job uncertainty or loss, the inability to care for or even be with our elderly parents, homeschooling, organizing our living spaces, ensuring healthy meals for our families, and the constant fear of losing loved ones, among a myriad of other familiar anxieties. We have a responsibility to guide our children through these tumultuous times, to seek out the silver lining, and to show resilience. Just as airlines instruct, “Put your mask on first before assisting others,” we must maintain our composure for the sake of our families. Even when the urge to crumble arises, we must not give in if we want to help our loved ones emerge from this unprecedented situation stronger, wiser, and hopefully, just okay.
At Themerrythought Magazine, we have reached out to a diverse group of experts with essential questions, and they have generously shared their insights. While you may seek immediate updates from primary news outlets, we hope our resources will provide ongoing support as you navigate each day.
We have made significant adjustments, including transitioning away from our print edition as of March, but we’ve launched our website to offer daily updates, helpful tips, and sound advice via our weekly e-newsletter. An exciting new feature is our GLF podcast set to debut in July, where you can hear directly from our expert contributors. While we’ve implemented necessary cutbacks to ensure our sustainability, our content will remain entirely FREE to the public, allowing us to amplify important news and information that benefits our readers, viewers, and soon, listeners as we unite VIRTUALLY to navigate this extraordinarily wild journey.
We invite you to share your knowledge, ideas, inspirations, and feedback with us. We want to hear your voice! If your business offers products, services, or expertise for “sandwich generation” parents, consider partnering with us as an advertiser or sponsor. It’s mutually beneficial as we amplify your message while you help us uphold our commitment to enhance family life.
LIVE. LEARN. LAUGH. REPEAT.
