HAVE THE PAST COUPLE of years thrown you for a loop?

Herbert Hoover, our nation’s 31st President, said, “Children are our most valuable resource.” I agree.

Did you know that there are 73 million children in the United States? 

Did you know that, prior to our nation’s collective trauma, one in five children had mental health challenges, and after the pandemic that number rose to six out of ten kids facing emotional and mental health challenges?

Did you know that the challenges these children face in body, mind and soul also affect their parents’ and/or caregivers’ mental health yet there is a huge imbalance in supply and demand while waiting for mental health support? 

Imagine being able to simultaneously nurture yourself and the children in your care, restoring your well-being—body, mind and soul—one piece at a time as you calm and comfort your way back to health in the aftermath of a traumatic event.

Come join me and begin to pick up the pieces of your life’s puzzle, as you explore my new book, Picking Up the Pieces:5 Tips to Meet Kids' Social & Emotional Needs While Putting Ourselves Back Together.  

I wrote this book because I was struggling—nearly all of us were struggling—to “keep it together” when it felt like our world was falling apart, especially during the pandemic. However, this was not my first traumatic event and also not my last struggle. Having experienced deep personal loss with a family tragedy many years ago, I learned a valuable lesson: 

No matter what hardships or grief our lives may have handed us, we can pull together—not perfectly, but purposefully—making sure that each of us can do something to love others while helping out. You see, by surviving our struggle and using it to comfort and help others, we are made stronger.

What began as an evidence-based, strategy-laden presentation to help support children, families, teachers and administrators at our neighborhood elementary school’s PTA meeting just two years ago quickly grew into presentations and books that have supported parents, churches, preschool programs and caregivers across our country.

Now, I am deeply humbled to have partnered with the United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County to help support children, families, and educators in the aftermath of the heart-breaking Uvalde tragedy at Robb Elementary School. Please visit https://www.uwsatx.org/united-with-uvalde/for more information.

Remember, we are stronger together. Everyone struggles sometimes. Loving each other matters. And, we could all benefit from giving each other the gift of grace—especially at the beginning of this new year. 

My hope for you today is that you are able to put one more piece back in your puzzle and that you and the children in your life begin to experience joy once more.

For families and individuals in crisis, please seek mental health support from a licensed counselor. You can also contact SAMSHA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Free National Helpline, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).