Not every day is a good day.

We want them to be. We want our children to be happy and our students to prosper. We want the worst things they experience to be skinned knees and hurt feelings that are forgotten in minutes.

But sometimes people get sick. Sometimes families don’t stay together. Sometimes terrible things happen that you just can’t fix.

When those times come, those days full of tears and uncertainty, we want you to know: You are not alone, and neither are your children.

There is an incredible story from the perspective of a childcare educator that was written a little while ago. The premise is that there is a disaster occurring while she’s with her students. You can read it HERE if you wish. In the story, the teacher was terrified, but she did everything she could to protect these children. She refused to leave them. She let them play outside, fed them a good lunch, let them spill glitter on the floor. She was not sure what was going to happen, but she was going to make sure that these kids spent the day knowing they were cared for, knowing they were loved.

Here at Common Ground, your teachers love your kids. We have known most of them since they were very small. We have hugged them when they cried and laughed ourselves silly watching them grow into little people we are so proud to know.

When the Covid-19 pandemic happened, our teachers did not have any more answers than anyone else. We were uncertain and frightened. Kids came to school asking why they couldn’t visit their families or why they had to wear masks. Even our younger students noticed the world was different, and felt the anxiety from their grown ups.

We didn’t pretend that everything was fine. We answered as honestly as we could and told them we were there for them. We kept their days structured and full of fun. In that way we honored their feelings and still offered the support they needed to feel safe.

Because when tragedy inevitably happens, they can’t be completely shielded from it. But they can be loved through it. They can depend on being cared for on all days, in any weather.

Kids deserve to know that all of their feelings matter. Teaching our children resilience, independence, and strength in the face of darkness requires an acknowledgement and honoring of their emotions. When we try to protect them from negative feelings and reactions, we make them feel as though they have to hide them, that they are somehow shameful. Kids are ALWAYS smarter than we give them credit for, they know when we feel anxious and upset, it’s our responsibility to own our feelings while supporting them. This does not mean relying on them for comfort (although everyone needs to know they have the power to make others feel better. Thanking them can go a long way.) This does not mean putting the responsibility of healing on a five year old’s shoulders or imposing frightening details on them. It’s simply saying that Truth is essential to teaching and adds a layer of trust and respect to the relationship.

We won’t let them wallow either! Positivity and encouragement, a promise that happy days will come, guidance toward healing, that’s all part of it. On days that are hard for you too? Know that your village is there so you can honor your feelings.

The end of that story is fantastic. Just when all hope seems lost, Super Heroes come to save the day! These children in the teacher’s care are their children, and it meant the world to these heroes that they could count on their babies to be safe and loved while they were out there saving the city. YOU ARE YOUR KIDS’ SUPER HEROES. You are their comfort and love, their guide through the world. We are honored that you entrust them to us on all days, good and bad.

From the bottom of our hearts, you are loved.

Your CG Family