Imagine you are on a flight and one of the engines gives out. The plane is still in the air, but you know something is wrong.
Let's compare two scenarios.
Scenario #1:
Pilot: "Everyone can remain calm. Your pilots have trained for unexpected situations like this, and we have a plan for a safe landing. It's going to be fine."
Scenario #2:
Pilot: "We never thought this could ACTUALLY happen for real!! We're going to try our best, but this is really, really awful and stressful, and we're not sure what's going to happen. Hold on!!!!!!"
How would you feel?
Behind every child who has thrived through the past ten months, there has been a parent at the helm of scenario #1.
Parents are the often-overlooked superheroes that humanity should be celebrating. We should hoist them on our collective shoulders...when that kind of thing is allowed again...
The children are the passengers, and they notice. Even if on a subconscious level.
If you do a Google search for "Parent COVID-19," you will see dozens upon dozens of medical and help articles. Complete with pictures that look like they came from an old Alfred Hitchcock film. Not very relaxing reads.
What's more, the media often talks about the psychological effects of kids not going to school or seeing friends because of this.
But there is little mention of the work parents do to make a positive impact.
What's more, the kids who have grown through this experience are pretty much not mentioned at all.
Don't you think that's downright wrong? We do.
So...
With this post, we would like to extend a thank you and congratulations to parents everywhere.
You are amazing.
You resisted the temptation to curl up in a ball and cry.
You are the strong alphas.
They will make movies about you.
The next generation of adults will survive because of you.
Even before COVID, musicians young and old could not have existed without you.
Showing up week after week.
Keeping your kids motivated to practice.
Making music a priority in your kids' lives.
Your kids will thank you one day, I promise...probably sometime in their mid-20's.
Since March, you've had to figure out how to...
...keep paying the bills...
...figure out your kids' hybrid/virtual school...
...stay optimistic...
...navigate holidays...
...find new ways to have fun...
...talk your kids down from the metaphorical ledge...
...remain calm...
...and too many more things to list in a reasonably-sized blog post...
The world's foremost hostage negotiators and survival experts would be proud.
Give yourself a hug, a gold medal, and an ice cream cone. You deserve it.
Do you have an inspirational COVID-19 parent story? Want to celebrate an amazing COVID-19 parent? Comment below!
And keep on practicing...