I AM A PARENT OF A GIRL WHO STRUGGLES.  

You may know a boy.  You may know a girl who has a boy.  Or, you may be that boy. I know Violet.  She has been put into my life to challenge what I thought I knew.  She has taught me more about myself in her 12 years than I could have learned in 25.  It is the most dire feeling, self reflective, opportunity for growth I have ever faced.  And, it's never-ending.  My love for her is unconditional.  I learn my deficits and I nurture my strengths.  It puts strains on my marriage, my other kids, my feelings of myself. She has taught us all empathy we never could have known.   

Violet has gone through a lifetime of trials at 12 years old.  She has emotional issues that have plagued her since infancy.  Navigating this struggle has exposed me to profound experiences.  I have this feeling of such gratitude for what we have learned. 

I want to be open and share.  I want to inspire others to share.  I want 'shame' to have it's ass kicked out of this conversation.  

There is comfort in knowing how common these issues are.  Once I started talking about it?  Literally 1 out of every 2 parents I spoke to had an experience to share.  So here we are - a space where we can ask questions, get resources, understand more and be inspired to have hope, resiliency, pride and proactivity.  Call it what you want - parent community?  Resource sharing?  A no judgment, open, raw, unfiltered, vulnerable dose of reality?  

Emotional issues.  Behavioral challenges.  Disorders.  Traumas.  Let's have the conversation no one is having.  I want to help parents help their kids and themselves.  It will make ME feel better!  

You are not alone.