April. That was the month we chose. It gave us just enough time to plan a light redesign of Metro Parent.
Out with some old departments (Bye-bye, What Counts!). In with some new (Hello, Pulse!). We wanted to make a few tweaks to the calendar you love — including the name.
We wanted to add some content just for “You” beyond your role as parent. And we couldn’t wait for the issue to get printed and hit stands for you to see what we came up with.
But, well, you know what they say about the best laid plans? Life can have other ideas.
If you’re reading this issue, you know that it’s not in the traditional print format we’re all used to. In fact, for the first time since Metro Parent was founded in 1986, there is no print issue.
Why waste the trees to print a magazine that no one will be around to pick up? Instead, we offer this digital version and have sent it out to our loyal readers where they are this month — at home, safely avoiding COVID-19.
April was also supposed to be the month we hosted our Living With Autism Workshop. Clearly, that’s not happening either.
But this is everyone’s April, right? We all had plans: birthday parties, school days, work retreats, trips to Costco. OK. We’re still doing that, but now it feels like some sort of dystopian mission where we’re wearing homemade face masks and gloves as we set out to score toilet paper and antibacterial wipes. This April is like no other.
But dashed plans don’t matter. The only thing that matters is the health of you and your loved ones. Even if you lost your job, as hard as that is. Or lost income from a partial furlough or layoff. That will be challenging, humbling and stressful. But it still doesn’t matter. As long as you and your family are safe, it will be OK.
So, do us a favor, and take care of yourselves. Not just your family — you, too. Take some “me” time in some corner of your house and flip through this digital edition of our April issue. Let me know what you think.
Oh, and if you’re looking for ideas on how to occupy, educate and entertain them while you’re all under house arrest, we’ve turned our events calendar into a virtual events calendar. Now you can find some of the cool classes, webinars and streaming sing-alongs available as a digital diversion to break up your day in one place.
And remember: We’ve got even more COVID-19 resources at MetroParent.com to help you navigate the hardest job in the world in one of the hardest months any of us have ever experienced.
Looking for something in particular? Email me at julia@metroparent.com. We’re here for you.
