I’m trekkin’ in honor of the other therapeutic parents who held me up and helped me survive—and thrive—during the hard times.
They were my “one.”
We’ve been talking about how every child needs one caring adult. But what about the adults raising those children? We need someone, too. I certainly did.
Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can be hard in ways that are difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t lived it. You love your child. You’re doing everything you can to help. And some days, you’re exhausted and wondering what else to try.
That’s where other therapeutic parents made such a difference for me. I didn’t have to start at the beginning and explain our whole story. I could talk about what was happening without worrying about what they would think of me or my child. They understood because they were living it, too.
Sometimes they had an idea that helped. Sometimes they just listened. Being able to say, “This is really hard,” and hear, “I know,” meant a lot.
They couldn’t fix everything, but they helped me get through it. They reminded me that having a hard day didn’t mean I was failing as a parent. I could be honest about the struggles and still know they understood how much I loved my child.
When I look back, those relationships are a big part of what helped me keep going. And over time, they helped me do more than just get through the day. I could see things differently, feel more confident, and enjoy the good moments, too.
So, yes, my “one” was more than one person. It was a community of therapeutic parents who were there for me when I needed them.
That’s why I’m trekkin’. I want to honor those parents. I also want other parents to have what I had: people they can talk to honestly, ask for help, and count on during the hard times.
That connection is such an important part of ATN. Resources and education matter, but so does finding someone who understands your family and what you’re going through. Trekkin’ to Heal Trauma helps support that work.
When you see the pictures of people wearing their Trekkin’ shirts and sharing who they’re trekkin’ for, remember that each person has a story. This is mine.
Who helped you through a hard time? Who could you call when you needed someone who understood? Maybe Trekkin’ is a chance to thank them—and help someone else find their “one.”
I’m trekkin’ for the therapeutic parents who were mine, and for the parents who are still looking.
To learn more about CTSS27, go to conference.attachtrauma.org.
