Grace Yeh

There are some days when I'd rather do anything except connect with my kids - I'll cook for them, I'll prepare activities for them, I'll take them out to play and explore, but I don't truly want to connect because I'm exhausted and I'm empty, and I haven't connected with anyone my age in a while. Listening partnerships have helped me create a regular space to offload some of the stress and burdens of parenting with another parent, which frees up my mind and my heart to be more present with my kids, to be more willing to listen, to have more energy to laugh with and enjoy them. This partnership also helps me remember that I am not alone, that I'm not the only one struggling, that struggling in parenting is normal, and that working through challenges takes time. Because I am making time for adult conversation, I feel that I am able to love my kids better, and that is my hope - to love my kids every day better than I did the day before.