How To Parent In A Pandemic

I have found there is an ebb and flow to parenting during a pandemic. It has played out in my own home, as well as across my social media feeds, and it goes a little something like this: “Omg, the kids are on screens way too much! They need more educational activities, more learning opportunities, more structure … holy shit, I’m exhausted and cannot Do It All … whatever, go on screens, it won’t kill you.” And, repeat.

The problem is that it doesn’t feel like there is a way to win at parenting right now. So we asked Lindsay Powers, author of You Can’t F*ck Up Your Kids, “How does one parent during a pandemic without effing up one’s kids?”

In the video above, Powers offers parents practical, reassuring advice, such as focusing more on “life skills” versus maths worksheets, trying to achieve a balance of screen time over the course of a week rather than each day and giving ourselves permission to not be martyrs right now.