Too many parents are taking the blame for their kids’ pandemic life

“Children need school and friends. When kids’ needs aren’t being met, parents feel guilty—even when it’s not their fault,” says Jessie Borelli, an [associate professor of psychological science], at the University of California, Irvine. “And the reality is that many of our kids’ psychological needs aren’t being met right now.” And though it’s important for parents to foster children’s healthy development, too much fretting over tiny details can make parents feel like they’re always failing, explains Borelli, whose lab investigates the link between close relationships and health.