The Struggle is Real

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By Diann Moesner, MSW, LCSW – September 23, 2026 –

Whether you are interacting with students as a school professional, a parent, or both, it can feel uncomfortable to watch kids struggle to navigate the world around them. When we see them struggling, it is natural to want to “fix” things for them – to step in and make the challenges go away so that they, and we, do not have to experience the uncomfortable feelings that can come with perceived failure.

This school year’s struggles may take many forms. For some students, it might mean missing the honor roll for the first time in their school career. For others, it could mean not making a team they were certain they would make. It might look like changing peer groups and wondering where they fit in with friends they have known for years. Whatever the struggle looks like, it is important to acknowledge that it is real. Disappointment, change, and uncertainty are a natural and necessary part of learning to navigate the world, and these experiences can help students grow, build resilience, and better understand themselves and others.

The uncomfortable feelings that come with struggle are very real, and it can be difficult – even scary – to watch our young people experience them. But allowing them the space to feel those emotions is an important part of growing up. That does not mean we should let them suffer in silence. In these moments, our most important role may not be that of a superhero, rushing in to save the day or shielding them from every disappointment. Instead, our role is to be present.

Sitting alongside the young person in your life, right there in the middle of all those “yucky” feelings, can be one of the most meaningful things you do. We can help them name and own their feelings, accept an outcome or disappointment, and discover that even difficult moments eventually pass. By staying with them through the discomfort and helping them find their way forward, we give them something far more valuable than a quick rescue: the confidence and resilience to navigate life’s challenges.

In a world filled with carefully curated images of perfect lives, it is easy to believe that anything less than perfection is failure – or that something is wrong with us. But most people don’t make every team they try out for. Most people don’t make the honor roll every semester of their school career. And most people don’t stay best friends with the same people they met in preschool. These experiences are not signs that something has gone wrong; they are a normal part of growing up.

One of the greatest gifts we can give young people is the understanding that it is worthwhile striving to become the best version of yourself while knowing that your worth is never determined by an achievement, grade, team, friendship, or outcome. If things don’t go exactly as hoped or dreamed, they need to know you will always love and value them—and that there is a world full of people, possibilities, and experiences waiting to welcome them for exactly who they are.

There is life after the 10U softball team. There is life after the 5th-grade honor roll celebration. There is life after navigating the changing friendships of middle school. These moments may feel incredibly important right now, but they do not define your child’s worth or determine their future.

Permit yourselves to feel the disappointment. Help your child sit with it, acknowledge it, and recognize that it matters. Then, when they are ready, help them step back and look at the bigger picture. There is so much more life ahead – new opportunities, new relationships, unexpected successes, and countless moments of joy waiting to unfold.

Diann Moesner, MSW, LCSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Elberfeld Elementary School and Lynnville Elementary School in Warrick County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 138 schools across 15 Indiana counties. Over 56,000 youth and families each year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.

 

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The Benefits of a Close Sibling Relationship

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By Beth Thomas, MSW, LSW – September 16, 2026 –

Close sibling relationships can have a lifelong impact. They are an important part of our development and can provide valuable knowledge, guidance and support throughout different stages of life.

Of course, no sibling relationship is perfect. Conflict and disagreements are natural, but even these imperfections can shape the closeness that develops over time. A strong relationship with a sibling provides an additional source of emotional support while strengthening the bond between them.

Research has shown that people who have positive and supportive relationships with their siblings often experience a greater sense of well-being, lower levels of depression and sadness, higher life satisfaction, and more positive relationships with others. In contrast, high-conflict sibling relationships have been associated with greater risks of depression and anxiety, as well as more negative interactions with other people, including aggression and hostility.

Sibling relationships also provide important opportunities to learn and develop lifelong skills. From an early age, siblings learn how to communicate with one another, express their thoughts and feelings, and understand different perspectives. As they grow, they learn to negotiate, compromise, and work through disagreements. Although children may not always want to compromise with their siblings, these experiences help them develop skills that remain valuable throughout adulthood.

Siblings also learn how to manage conflict and overcome challenges together. Disagreements and difficult situations can teach them how to resolve problems and find solutions. At the same time, being close to a sibling does not mean that both people are the same. Each sibling develops their own personality, interests, and identity. These relationships can help individuals recognize and appreciate differences, both within their families and in their relationships with others.

Sibling relationships are often among the longest-lasting relationships in a person’s life. However, life can create barriers that affect these connections. Distance, for example, can reduce the physical closeness siblings once shared when one moves away from home. Fortunately, modern technology makes it easier to maintain these relationships. Phone calls, text messages, and video chats such as FaceTime allow siblings to stay connected even when they live far apart.

Sharing childhood experiences, overcoming challenges and growing together can create a lasting bond. Parents can also encourage positive sibling relationships from an early age by helping children communicate, cooperate, and support one another. Even during childhood, sibling relationships begin to shape who we become and can continue to influence our lives for years to come. However, it is never too late to build or strengthen a relationship with a sibling.

Beth Thomas, MSW, LSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Hebron Elementary School in Vanderburgh County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 138 schools across 15 Indiana counties. Over 56,000 youth and families each year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.

Photo credit: Ian Taylor – https://www.iantaylor.ca/kids

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Caring for Your Own Mental Health is Part of Caring for Your Child

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By Jordyn Bryant, MSW, LCSW – September 9, 2026 –

While parenting is deeply meaningful and rewarding, we cannot ignore that it is also emotionally demanding. Many parents focus so fully on their child’s needs that their own well-being gradually moves to the background. Between managing daily responsibilities, responding to a child’s emotions, balancing work and family life, and trying to meet everyone’s expectations, parents may have little time or energy left for themselves.

Over time, stress, exhaustion, and overwhelming feelings can build quietly. Paying attention to your own mental health is not a luxury or a sign of weakness. It is an important part of supporting your child and creating a healthy family environment.

Parents are expected to remain calm, patient, and emotionally available at all times. In reality, parents are experiencing all that life throws at them too, including stress, frustration, worry, sadness, and fatigue. Acknowledging these feelings does not mean failing as a parent. It means being honest with yourself and recognizing that you are human. Permitting yourself to experience difficult emotions can make it easier to respond to them in healthy ways, rather than allowing them to build up until they become overwhelming.

When parents allow space for their own emotions, they also send an important message to children: feelings are normal, manageable, and safe to talk about. Instead of teaching children that difficult emotions should be hidden or ignored, parents can model healthy ways of recognizing, expressing, and managing those emotions. Saying, “I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I need a few quiet minutes,” for example, can demonstrate that taking a break is a responsible way to cope with stress.

Children learn about emotions by watching the adults around them. Research consistently shows that a caregiver’s emotional well-being plays an important role in a child’s development. When parents take care of their mental health, children can benefit in meaningful ways. They are more likely to experience emotional safety, learn healthy coping skills, develop stronger relationships, and build resilience over time. A parent who demonstrates self-compassion and emotional awareness gives a child valuable tools they can carry into adolescence and adulthood.

Many parents feel guilty about prioritizing themselves. There is often an unspoken belief that good parenting requires constant self-sacrifice. While caring for children certainly requires effort, flexibility, and putting their needs first at times, it does not require parents to ignore their own needs completely. In fact, consistently neglecting your own well-being can make it more difficult to be the patient and present parent you want to be. Small acts of self-care, such as taking a pause, getting enough rest when possible, spending a few quiet moments alone, asking for support, or setting healthy boundaries, can make a meaningful difference.

You don’t have to have all the answers to be a good parent, and you don’t have to feel calm every moment or handle every situation perfectly. What matters is recognizing when you need support and being willing to care for yourself as well as your child. Taking care of your mental health is not separate from caring for your child; rather, it is part of it. By caring for yourself, you are modeling compassion, balance, and emotional health – traits your child can learn and carry with them as they grow.

Jordyn Bryant, MSW, LCSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Stringtown Elementary School in Vanderburgh County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 138 schools across 15 Indiana counties. Over 56,000 youth and families each year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.

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How Social Isolation Impacts Emotional Regulation in Young Children

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By Jordan Evans, MSW, LSW – September 2, 2026 –

Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to understand, express, and manage their feelings in healthy ways. This skill begins developing early in life and continues to grow throughout childhood. Children do not learn emotional regulation on their own. Instead, they develop it through everyday interactions with parents, caregivers, peers, and their surrounding environment.

From a very young age, children look to adults to learn how emotions work. When parents comfort their child, name emotions, or help them calm down after they are upset, they are teaching important emotional skills. For example, when a parent acknowledges a child’s frustration and offers reassurance, the child begins to learn how to cope with strong feelings. Over time, these repeated moments help children manage emotions more independently.

Some children experience social isolation without parents realizing it. This can happen when children spend long periods using screens, are sent to their rooms for extended amounts of time or have limited opportunities to play with other children. When face-to-face interaction is reduced, children miss valuable opportunities to practice social and emotional skills in real-world situations. These missed experiences can affect how children learn to regulate their emotions.

Spending time with other children plays a key role in emotional development. Through play and occasional conflict, children experience emotions such as excitement, anger, jealousy, and disappointment. Learning to share, take turns, and work through disagreements helps children build patience, flexibility, and self-control. When children do not have regular peer interaction, they may struggle more with frustration and emotional reactions.

Social isolation can also make negative emotions feel stronger. Children who spend a lot of time alone may feel lonely, anxious, or bored, even if they cannot explain these feelings. Without regular interaction, children may have difficulty understanding their feelings and how to respond appropriately. This can lead to frequent tantrums, withdrawal from others, or trouble calming down after small challenges.

Language development is closely connected to emotional regulation. Talking with adults and other children helps children learn the words they need to describe their emotions. When children have limited social interaction, they may have fewer opportunities to hear and practice emotional language. As a result, children may become frustrated when they cannot express how they feel, leading to emotional outbursts.

The good news is that parents can make a meaningful difference. Warm and responsive relationships help protect children from the negative effects of social isolation. Simple daily actions such as maintaining routines, talking openly about feelings, offering comfort during difficult moments, and spending quality time together all support emotional growth.

Creating opportunities for social play, such as playdates, family activities, or group programs, can also help children practice emotional and social skills.

Here are some easy ways to engage with your child:

  • Eat dinner as a family without screens at the table
  • Read together
  • Play a board or card game
  • Play outside
  • Ask your child about their day
  • Ask your child about their future using open-ended questions
  • Be emotionally available to your child by limiting digital distractions
  • Limit screen time for all household members

By staying engaged, present, and intentional, parents can help their children build strong emotional regulation skills that support healthy relationships, confidence, and emotional well-being throughout life.

Jordan Evans, MSW, LSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at Daniel Wertz Elementary School in Vanderburgh County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 138 schools across 15 Indiana counties. Over 56,000 youth and families each year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.

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