The bags are packed. The lunches are made. Clothes were laid out. Anxious kids were supported through bedtime last night, with the usual combination of reassurance, extra cuddles and reminders that whatever obstacles or challenges come their way, we have their backs. They are not in this alone. We will be there, supporting them, no matter what.

Motherhood has changed me in ways I could see and ways I couldn’t. But becoming an adoptive mother added a layer of complexity I didn’t fully understand until I was living inside it.

Summer is officially here, and with it comes a mix of excitement, anticipation, and for many caregivers--a fair amount of stress. Here are some strategies to get you through the season.

When caregiving begins to consume every part of your identity, it can leave you feeling numb, stretched thin, and disconnected from who you once were. The constant cycle of appointments, crises, and responsibilities can quietly push aside work, relationships, and even your sense of self. In the midst of that loss, it’s easy to feel alone—but naming it matters. Because even in the numbness, there is still a part of you worth finding your way back to.

When media coverage of family violence turns sensational, it can land heavy for caregivers living with Aggression toward Family/Caregivers in Childhood & Adolescence (AFCCA). Headlines often strip away context and flatten complex realities, reinforcing stigma and quietly fueling fear, shame, and isolation…

“You’re at risk for Compassion Fatigue.”… It supressed my full capacity to love and show empathy. Hope of restoring my vibrant inner being faded.