Children can experience anxiety just like adults, but they often do not have the words to explain what they are feeling. Instead, anxiety may show up as stomachaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, or avoiding certain situations like school or social events. When children feel overwhelmed, having calm and supportive conversations can help them understand and manage their emotions.

Suicidal thoughts can sometimes emerge when a person is experiencing overwhelming emotional pain. In those moments, the mind may begin searching for a sense of relief or escape from feelings that feel too heavy to carry alone. If these thoughts arise, I gently encourage you not to keep them to yourself. Talk to someone you trust, a friend, a family member, or a therapist. Speaking about these thoughts can help release some of the weight you may have been carrying alone.

We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what happens when the village isn’t there? More and more parents today are raising children without the support of extended family, close-knit communities, or even reliable childcare. The burnout you feel isn’t because you’re not doing enough. It’s because you’re doing too much without enough support.