RCDS parents/guardians and alumni attended "Parenting Through a Pandemic," a virtual presentation and resource-sharing session led by Vanessa Kroll Bennett '94, Founder of the girls’ self-esteem building program Dynamo Girl, and Mary Pat Draddy, LMSW, the program’s Director of Workshops and Training. The presenters, who were introduced by a former Alumni Executive Board member Michele Lallemand Brazil '92, shared strategies for alleviating childrens’ stress and worry, and they addressed important elements of pandemic-era parenting of kids of all ages, including creating structure and boundaries, organizing schedules, setting realistic expectations, maintaining flexibility, sharing and empathizing with discomfort, and being supportive and open to resetting. In a comforting and informative session, Vanessa and Mary Pat touched on the very raw and real moments that parents and children have experienced in the wake of the pandemic. They offered actionable, practical tools and a reminder to seek support and community as many families are experiencing similar challenges.

Watch the recording from the event below.