Claudia lives in North Ridgeville and has three children.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

The pandemic has been a challenge for my family. Virtual schooling was a novelty at first, but my kids quickly lost motivation to do the work and missed the opportunity to socialize with friends. Although I'm glad they are back in school, I still worry about the possibility of them getting sick with the virus. Even though we are taking things day by day, I also worry about the long-term effects the pandemic is having on my family’s mental health and mine. It's exacerbated my kid's depression. Sometimes, I feel helpless in what I can do, but I rely on my support system to get me through and it makes all the difference.

What do you do to relax?

Binge watch Netflix.

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I'm a mom warrior for my kids’ needs!

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

Provided opportunities to hear speakers on topics relevant to my situation.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

The Facebook page and the Speaker Series featuring Gary Tonks from the Arc of Ohio.

My greatest lesson learned was...

I don't have to be perfect, but being consistent is key.

What I worry about most…

Is my son's future and what will happen to him when I'm gone.

The most difficult part of parenting a child who struggles is...

Feeling helpless to do anything that will work for my child, and the loneliness I feel when others don't or aren't willing to understand our struggles.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

Milestones National Autism Conference and The Arc of Ohio

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

It's definitely not a sprint and I'm stronger than I could ever have imagined.