The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is dedicated to helping children and families in Connecticut thrive. We created the For Families, By Families — Keep It Real Initiative video series to give parents a voice and to help families learn from one another.
Get honest, unfiltered perspectives from other Connecticut parents about key topics — everyday challenges, parenting during COVID-19, and confronting racial injustice.
Parenting During COVID-19
Parenting During COVID-19: “My support system is my everything.”
Watch Ashley discuss where she finds support during COVID-19 — and how she cherishes the extra time with her young children.
Connecticut Children’s has a “winter kit” to help parents during COVID-19 — a series of articles about family activities, helping children cope, and more. Learn more from Connecticut Children’s.
Parenting During COVID-19: “Once I started to go with the flow, things improved.”
Small changes in your routine can have a big effect. Watch Jamie discuss how relaxing her schedule and adding a morning walk helped her children — and Jamie herself — cope better during the day.
Get tips on managing your own stress — and helping your family cope too. Read about stress and coping from the CDC.
Parenting During COVID-19: “Don’t give up — don’t fold.”
Hear Kam talk about the most rewarding moments — and hardest challenges — he’s experienced during COVID-19.
It’s okay if your routines need to change during COVID-19. Get tips on how to support yourself — and your family — from the National Center on Pyramid Model Innovations.
Parenting During COVID-19: “My mom has been my source of strength.”
During COVID-19, Chenae juggled raising her daughter, finishing her Masters degree, and completing an internship — and she says she couldn’t have done it without the support of her mom.
Dial 2-1-1 to get help — or check out 2-1-1 of Connecticut’s website.
Parenting During COVID-19: “Self care is not selfish.”
As a parent, it’s easy to spend all your energy focusing on your children’s needs. Mary talks about how important it is for parents to take care of themselves, too.
Self-care is essential for everyone — but especially if you’re a caregiver for young children. Learn about the importance of self care from Zero to Three.
Everyday parenting — challenges and rewards
Handling Challenging Behavior: “You have to help them calm down first.”
When your child is in the middle of a tantrum, talking with them — or yelling at them — won’t work. Betty shares how she helps her son relax before having a discussion and finding a solution.
Get some tips about dealing with tantrums, challenging behaviors, difficult situations, and more. Read guidance from Conscious Discipline.
Becoming a Parent: “You’re entering a new world.”
Ashley talks about the challenges and rewards of life after bringing her baby home from the hospital.
OEC has a factsheet full of tips and resources for new parents. Check out the factsheet.
Talking About Race and Racism with Your Child
Discussing Race with Your Child: “It was a nice way to begin the conversation.”
Chenae talks about her own experience coming from a mixed family — and how she used a PBS video to start a helpful discussion about race with her own daughter.
Watch the PBS video Chenae used to begin talking about race with her daughter.
Discussing Race with Your Child: “I don’t want him to be afraid to live in this world.”
When David found out he was going to be a father, his joy was undercut by concern. How would his son be treated in a country that makes it hard for Black men to succeed? While his son is still too young for “the talk” now, learn how David plans to approach it — and how he wants his child to understand the history of racial injustice without feeling held back by it.