By: Julie Loftis, JFS Marketing Specialist
As the school year approaches and families begin adjusting to new routines, it’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed. The transition from summer to fall often brings anxiety—new teachers, schedules, academic pressure, and shifting household dynamics. For many, these challenges stir deeper questions: “Why is this so hard? Am I doing something wrong? Why does everyone else seem to have it together?”
At Jewish Family Services (JFS), we hear this often—and we want every parent to know: “You are not a bad parent. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure.”
Following the Shalom Park BeWell Resiliency Roundtable youth and parent surveys, JFS saw clear patterns. Parents across our community expressed feeling isolated, under-resourced, and unsure how to manage their children’s emotional needs—especially post-pandemic. The data showed rising concerns about anxiety, behavioral challenges, and emotional regulation in children, alongside a deep desire for support.
In response, JFS is launching several new initiatives to meet these needs. “Parenting from the Inside Out,” a support and skill-building group starting this fall, will offer a space for caregivers to explore how their own experiences shape their parenting—and how they can grow alongside their children. Grounded in neuroscience and attachment theory, the group fosters greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy.
To reach even more parents, July marked the introduction of Weekly Parenting Pointers on JFS Facebook and Instagram accounts. Every Wednesday helpful, expert-informed parenting tips will be posted to support families in our community. These posts will offer practical guidance on topics such as managing stress, building strong parent-child relationships, fostering emotional regulation, and more. Our goal is to provide accessible, bite-sized resources that empower parents and promote resilience at home—one tip at a time.
Behind these efforts is a deep clinical foundation. JFS offers trauma-informed counseling for families, including evidence-based practices like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). These therapies address the root causes of stress, offering relief for both children and caregivers.
Back-to-school season can resurface unresolved stressors for both parents and children. Transitions, expectations, and social pressures can be difficult to navigate. But families don’t have to do it alone.
The message is simple: Struggling doesn’t make you a bad parent. Avoiding support only keeps you stuck.
JFS encourages parents to view reaching out as an act of love—for yourself and your child. Whether through therapy, support groups, or engaging with a weekly post, small steps can create lasting change.
As September unfolds and the school year begins, we invite families to let go of perfection. Lean into community, embrace imperfection, and remember: parenting is not about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to ask for help when it matters most.
