In recent months, even before the many changes brought on by COVID-19, my husband and I have been emotionally "checking- in,” so to speak. For us, this was a need with or without potential crisis or looming unknowns, but with the added stress of current events, it has been essential. In doing so, it became apparent that in the same way my husband and I need to talk daily about our current thoughts and feelings, our children needed to do the same. They were starting to ask questions and beginning to connect our hushed tones and preparations with what was going on in the world. We'd been having appropriate conversations along the way, but none the less, they were being affected.

I remember wondering what it would be like to be a mom as I played nestled up in a tree with baby dolls and a childhood play-mate.