It’s the week after a big election, and if you’re anything like me, you’re still processing. As parents—and especially as moms-to-be—it’s hard not to think about what the future holds for our children. What kind of world are we bringing them into? What will it be like for them to grow up in this reality?
I’ve been here before. I was seven months pregnant with my first daughter when Trump was elected the first time. I remember the shock, the devastation, the anger, and the fear. I also remember the doubts creeping in. Was I doing the right thing? Should I really be bringing a child into this world?
If you’re pregnant right now and having similar thoughts, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Those feelings are real, valid, and shared by so many of us.
Choosing to Hope
Here’s the truth I held onto then, and the truth I come back to now: choosing to bring a child into this world is a profound act of hope.
You didn’t make this decision lightly. You knew, even before this election, that the world isn’t perfect. You knew about the climate crisis, the violence, the inequality, and the trauma that exist in our world. And yet, you said yes. Yes to life. Yes to the possibility of love and joy. Yes to the belief that this world is worth it.
Why? Because deep down, you know something essential: that life is good, that love is at the core of who we are, and that even in the face of all that’s broken, there is still so much beauty and possibility.
Grounding in Your Truth
This moment calls on us to reconnect with that truth, whatever it is for you. For me, it’s the belief that we are inherently good. That underneath all the pain, fear, and anger people carry, there is joy, connection, and love.
I see it in my one-year-old every day. Her joy is so pure, her delight so radiant, and her love so natural. And I know that every single person in this world started from that same place. Life layers so many things on top—hurt, fear, trauma—but I truly believe that at our core, we are good.
It’s this belief that keeps me going. It’s why I became a therapist, why I’ve spent years working with people in their darkest moments, and why I know that healing is always possible.
What Our Children Need from Us
As parents, we know we can’t protect our kids from the world’s pain. They will face rejection, loss, and heartbreak. They will learn, step by step, about the difficult realities of life. That’s the hardest part for me—watching my children lose their innocence, bit by bit.
But our job isn’t to shield them from those experiences. It’s to stay close to them, to connect with them, and to give them the tools to navigate the world. And so much of that starts with how we show up for ourselves.
When we allow ourselves to process our own feelings—whether it’s anger, fear, or grief—we model resilience. When we ground in our truth and act from a place of love, we show our children that they, too, can move through hard things.
A Call to Connection
One thing that’s been on my mind lately is how much power there is in connection. Someone recently told me that the easiest way to dominate people is to keep them discouraged, exhausted, and lonely. But when people are connected—to themselves, to each other, to what’s true—they are powerful.
This is what I want for us as parents: to stay connected to the hope, love, and purpose that brought us here in the first place. To show up for ourselves and our kids with clarity and strength. And to believe, even in the hardest moments, that this world is worth fighting for.
Moving Forward
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, give yourself space to feel it all. Let the anger move you to action. Let the grief flow through you, opening you up to hope and possibility on the other side. This isn’t about bypassing the hard stuff—it’s about moving through it.
And as you process, ground yourself in the truth of why you’re here. You are doing this—bringing life into this world, raising your kids—because you believe in something. Hold that close to your heart.
Our kids don’t need us to create a perfect world. They need us to guide them through an imperfect one with love, resilience, and hope.
Thank you for being here, for showing up, and for being part of the millions of parents who are committed to creating a world where all children can thrive.