“You’re doing better than you think.”

Parenting is the most important job in the world—and the hardest.

And your children, despite loving you deeply, rarely provide performance reviews.

(Especially not after you tell them it’s bedtime.)

But even under challenging conditions, you keep showing up—consistently, willingly, and most of all… lovingly.

If you’re a parent, here are two things we gently ask you to consider:

1. Initiate. Check In. Stay Curious.

In an age-appropriate way, start a conversation.

Check in with your child—not just about school or chores, but about how they’re really doing.

It doesn’t have to be heavy.

A two-minute check-in on the way to school is sometimes all it takes.

Ask questions that invite honesty:

• “What’s something you worry about?”
• “Who do you talk to when you feel upset or anxious?”
• “When was the last time you felt sad, hurt, or lonely?”
• “How long did it last?”
• “What helped you get through it?”
• “What can I do to support you better when you’re struggling?”

Silence doesn’t mean there’s no pain—only that the door hasn’t been opened yet.

And if you’re waiting for your child to come to you… you may be waiting forever.

2. Don’t Be Ashamed. Ever.

Mental health struggles are not moral failures. 

They’re not signs of weakness.

They’re part of being human—and for teenagers today, they’re incredibly common.

What’s uncommon is knowing it’s safe to talk about it.

Your child needs to know that there is nothing wrong with them if they’re hurting.

They don’t need fixing—they need compassion, presence, and permission to speak openly.

We live in a different world now.

The internet and social media make it so a child doesn’t even need to leave their bedroom to feel bullied, rejected, or broken.

And that’s exactly why they need us more than ever.