Finding My Why: How Bridge the Gap Empowered Me as a Parent

As a parent, I’ve always felt an overwhelming responsibility to protect my child from every hardship. Whenever they struggled, I saw it as my duty to step in, smooth things over, and shield them from pain. I believed that “fixing” everything was part of being a good parent. But deep down, I was exhausted, unsure, and constantly questioning whether I was truly helping my child.

That all changed when I found Bridge the Gap.

Discovering Bridge the Gap

I came across Bridge the Gap at a time when I was feeling lost and helpless. My child was experiencing big emotions, and I didn’t know how to support them effectively. Every meltdown or moment of frustration felt like a reflection of my inadequacy as a parent.

Then I heard about their course, How to Manage Your Child’s Emotions. Something about the name resonated with me—I wanted to learn how to help my child, but I also knew I needed support for myself. Signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

A Life-Changing Shift

From the first session, I realised I wasn’t alone. Other parents shared similar struggles, and Jennifer and Nikki created a space of understanding and encouragement. But the most profound lesson I learned was this: It’s not my job to fix everything or prevent my child from experiencing difficult emotions.

At first, this idea felt counterintuitive. How could I be a good parent if I wasn’t shielding my child from pain? But as the course unfolded, I began to see how my well-meaning attempts to “fix” were actually preventing my child from learning how to navigate their feelings.

Instead, I learned to:

1. Hold space for my child’s emotions.

2. Validate their experiences without trying to change them.

3. Teach them healthy ways to process their feelings.

Most importantly, I began to trust that my child was capable of working through their challenges with my support—not my control.

Feeling Empowered as a Parent

Bridge the Gap didn’t just give me tools to help my child; it gave me the confidence to step back and let them grow. I stopped seeing their big emotions as something to fear or fix and started viewing them as opportunities for connection and learning.

The impact on my family has been profound. My child is more open about their feelings, and our bond has deepened. And for the first time, I feel empowered—not because I have all the answers, but because I know it’s okay not to.

Why I’m Sharing This

I wanted to write this post because I know I’m not the only parent who feels overwhelmed, unsure, or even helpless at times. If that sounds like you, I hope my story offers a little comfort and a lot of hope.

Bridge the Gap reminded me that parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about walking alongside your child through life’s ups and downs, knowing that the hard moments are just as valuable as the joyful ones.

If you’re struggling, know this: you are not alone. There’s a community out there ready to support you, just like Bridge the Gap supported me.

I’d love to hear from you—have you ever felt the pressure to “fix” everything for your child? How have you navigated those moments? Let’s start a conversation and continue supporting one another on this journey.

I can hold a safe space for them to feel.