Why Does Parenting Feel So Hard Right Now? [Podcast Episode]

Collectively, we’re coming out of an extremely hard, even traumatic time. We couldn’t wait for life to go ‘back to normal’ but instead of easily sliding back into that ‘normal life’, many of us are struggling. We think we know what we should be doing and how we should be feeling now that the hardest part of the pandemic is over, but the truth is that even though this time looks familiar to pre-pandemic times, it’s not. We haven’t been through this before.

We’re so happy to announce that our podcast is back under a new name: Active and Connected Families. The podcast will include funny and insightful interviews with a range of experts, solo episodes with me, Amanda Sovik-Johnston, and of course regular chats with Sarah Lewis from The Lewis Practice and Caroline Megargel from Virginia Family Therapy.

In this first episode under our new name, we’re diving deeper into the topic of why parenting feels so hard right now and why so many parents and non-parents are feeling so stressed and anxious.

“It is just okay not to feel okay or be okay right now”
– Sarah Lewis

In this episode on why parenting feels so hard right now, we cover:

> Why this time of year is so hard for parents;
> Developmental shifts for parents and kids;
> Unrealistic expectations;
> Emotional forecasting: We expect one feeling, but another comes up;
> The scarcity complex we find ourselves in;
> Sensory overload;
> Advice on how to get through it;
> And so much more!

If you or your kids have been feeling anxious or stressed lately, this episode is for you. You can find our podcast Active and Connected Families wherever you listen to your podcasts, or easily click the links below to listen:

Click here to listen on Spotify!

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to listen on Google Podcasts!

Click here to listen on Stitcher!

More about Virginia Family Therapy
Virginia Family Therapy is a mental health practice serving individuals, families, and our community. VFT is designed to help people at all stages and from all walks of life by offering therapists and physicians with diverse backgrounds and specialties via face-to-face, walk-and-talk, and telemedicine appointments. Throughout, we are committed to developing strengths-based, authentic, and long-lasting relationships with you and your children. We hope to provide you with the support and insight you need to help your family navigate life’s hard times and joys.

You can contact us here.

More about Caroline Megargel, MSW, LCSW
Caroline is an individual and family therapist at Virginia Family Therapy who specializes in working with children, teens, and young adults struggling with their mental health, life transitions, parental divorce, and more. She has particular expertise in working with teens struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and disordered eating.

You can learn more about Caroline here.

More about Sarah Lewis, MSW, LCSW
Within her own practice, The Lewis Practice, Sarah works with Children, Adolescents, Families, Elite Athletes (competing on travel teams, high school, college, and gearing up or in the college recruiting pipeline), as well as people in the lgbtq community. She takes a balanced approach combining support, warmth, empathy, and humor (when appropriate).

You can learn more about Sarah here.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode
> Are you or your child struggling with mental health? We have a team of psychologists and psychiatrists who can help you out. Don’t hesitate to contact us here.
> We’d love to hear your feedback on our podcast. Why not leave us a review on Apple Podcasts?
> Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.
> We’ve got a bunch of episodes for you to binge-listen to! How about one of our most listened-to episodes on how we explain anxiety to kids and families?