In the wake of heartbreaking news surrounding the trial of an Anne Arundel County teacher accused of sexually abusing third-grade students, our community is grappling with deep and painful emotions. For parents, children, and concerned residents alike, the recent developments have stirred waves of shock, anger, grief, and disbelief.
When the justice system doesn’t deliver the accountability we hoped for, it’s not only devastating, it can also feel disempowering. It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions: numbness, outrage, confusion, hopelessness, and everything in between. These feelings are valid. They are human.
In moments like this, when so much feels out of your control, it’s essential to return to what is within your control. Reconnecting with your personal power can help you and your child find moments of safety, stability, and even hope, one breath, one boundary, and one choice at a time.
Below, you’ll find a list of reminders and actionable steps to help you stay grounded. May it serve as a source of support, strength, and compassion during a time that feels anything but fair.
Things You Can Control (PDF Download)
For parents navigating the aftermath of injustice and abuse
When someone hurts your child and the system doesn’t deliver justice, it feels unbearable. While you can’t change what happened—or how others have failed—you do still have power. This list can serve as a grounding tool during therapy and recovery.
Things You Can Control Right Now:
- How you care for yourself today
– You matter. Your rest, nourishment, and breath are essential for your strength. - Creating safety and routine for your child
– Safety doesn’t erase harm, but it helps build healing. - Listening without judgment
– Your calm presence tells your child: You are believed. You are loved. You are not alone. - How and when you seek support
– You don’t have to carry this alone. Therapy, support groups, legal advocates, or close friends can help. - How you respond to your anger
– You are allowed to feel furious. You can choose to express that anger in ways that are healing, not harming. - What you tell yourself
– You did not fail. You are not to blame. Your love and advocacy are part of your child’s strength. - Your boundaries with others
– You can decide who is safe to talk to—and who is not. - What conversations you have with your child about trust, truth, and healing
– You can shape how they understand courage, boundaries, and resilience. - Channeling your energy into advocacy (when ready)
– You can raise awareness, support change, or protect others—but only when it feels right for you. - Saying “I don’t have the answer yet”
– You can give yourself permission to not have it all figured out. That’s okay. - Reaffirming your child’s worth—again and again
– You can be the echo in their life that says: You are good. You are whole. You are safe now. - Taking each moment as it comes
– You can choose to survive this day without needing to fix everything at once. - How you speak to yourself in moments of guilt or helplessness
– You can choose words rooted in compassion: I am doing my best. I am allowed to grieve. I am worthy of care. - Allowing yourself to rest without guilt
– Exhaustion is not weakness. Healing is hard work. You are allowed to pause. - Making space for your grief
– Grief comes in waves—rage, sadness, numbness, fear. You don’t have to rush or rationalize any of it. - Letting yourself feel joy or relief without shame
– Moments of peace, laughter, or distraction are not betrayal—they are survival. - Celebrating your effort, even when outcomes feel unfair
– You showed up. You spoke up. You kept going. That is brave. - Choosing when to disengage from people or systems that retraumatize you
– You are not obligated to educate, justify, or stay silent to protect others’ comfort. - Returning to things that ground you
– Whether it’s nature, art, music, prayer, movement, or solitude—these are anchors, not escapes. - Reminding yourself: You are still the safe parent
– Even in your pain, you are still a source of love, consistency, and stability. - Asking for the kind of support you actually need
– You can say: “Please just listen.” or “Can you help with dinner?” or “I need quiet today.” - Permission to not be “strong” all the time
– You don’t have to be the rock every day. You’re allowed to be human here.