If you’re worried about changes in your child’s behavior, struggling to understand their mental health, or simply feeling lost in the overwhelming sea of parenting advice, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Together We Navigate, where parents support parents through the hard stuff.
The Questions that Keep Parents Up at Night
I know that “welcome” may feel like a strange word right now, because chances are, if you’re here, you’re likely worried and a bit overwhelmed. You may have more questions than answers about what is going on with your family.
I get it. I’ve been there.
When I started this mental health journey with my own family, I did not want to be where I was. I was seeing changes that worried me, and I was unsure what to do or if I needed to do anything at all.
Questions rattled through my mind.
- Is this normal for this age, or is something else going on?
- Am I being a “helicopter” mom and worrying too much about every single thing?
- If this not “typical” behavior, then what is it? Does it have a name?
- Is this going to pass, or is this long-term?
- Do I need help?
- What is going on?
I found myself stressed, overwhelmed, and watching every single word, every emotion every behavior, trying to read them back and forth, inside and out.
Sometimes, if the emotions got big, I would write them down. I would try to understand what was happening, what the feelings were tied to. And then, just as quickly, they’d vanish.
Is this just a phase?
I would think, well, that was just a phase, just growing up, hormones changing, not enough sleep, not enough food (being “hangry” is no joke in my house). I’d tell myself, it’s just one of those things that come with growing up.
We would go ahead with our day, our week, until something else popped up. And then those questions would creep back in, whispering that maybe this wasn’t just a phase.
When “Just a Phase” Becomes Something More
Then some of those changes started to stick around. It felt like moods would switch with a breeze.
Friendships changed.
Sleep was challenging.
School was difficult.
Activities that were once loved, were falling to the wayside.
And that cell phone (has anyone else wanted to throw it out the window?)
Maybe there was something going on that I really needed help with.
The dreaded “how was your day?”
As most parents do, I would ask the common questions to try to unravel the mystery of what was going on.
“How was your day?”
“How are things going with X friend or Y activity?”
I usually got one of the common retorts. Usually “fine” grumbled halfway under their breath.
I shifted my approach.
“Hey, can you share one thing that went well today?”
The responses shifted to something like an item that tasted okay for lunch, or that there was no homework in one class.
Yeah, not exactly what I was looking for, but I kept on trying. Asking a question or two in the car on the way home from school or maybe trying to sneak in a conversation after practice or dinner.
But something just felt off. It felt different. I was worried.
Why I Created Together We NavigateTM
If you’ve ever felt this way, even just a little, you are not alone. And that is why I started this space.
I didn’t have a guide when I needed one. Yes, there is SO MUCH mental health advice out there. So much that it can feel like you are drowning in resources and don’t know where to turn or who to listen to.
As both a parent who’s walked this path and someone who has spent years in my professional work collecting and vetting information, I decided to create this space for parents like us. Parents who are trying, learning, and loving our kids through hard things.
You don’t need to know everything. You don’t have to do this perfectly.
The fact that you’re here, reading, wondering, learning, that’s already an amazing step forward.
What you’ll find here
Together We NavigateTM is your space for practical mental health support without the overwhelm. In this blog I share:
Real strategies from real families. Where to start, what questions to ask, where to turn.
Practical tools and conversation starters. Ways to connect and communicate with your child, your partner, and people who will be helping you through this.
Gentle encouragement. Reminders that you’re doing better than you think, even on the hard days.
A supportive community. A space where other parents truly understand what you’re going through.
I’ll share stories, strategies, and all the things I wish I had earlier in my journey. You deserve support that is both kind and useful.
Your Next Step
If any of this sounds familiar, I’d love for you to stick around.
Start here:
- Browse recent posts on important mental health topics and issues
- Check out some of the free resources I have created including a Crisis Hotline Quick Guide and Validation Quick Guide for Parents.
- Subscribe to get updates and tips in your inbox
- Join the conversation in the comments – your experience matters
What’s something you’ve been wondering about lately? What brought you here today? Let me know by sending me a message.
We’re just getting started. And yes, welcome to Together We NavigateTM. I’m truly glad you’re here.
You’re not alone anymore.
Laurie
For additional information and support, see our Resources page.