What the Hell Is Happening?
heart of the matter
Seattle, Jan. 8: A vigil for Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE agent. Candles nearby honor others who died in ICE custody. (David Ryder/Reuters)
I had a very different newsletter planned for today. Something practical. Something tidy.
But it feels impossible to write as if things are normal when so much around us clearly isn’t.
Just twelve days ago, many of us toasted the new year and wished for more calm, more justice, more ease. Instead, the start of 2026 has been frightening and disorienting. I’ve been in frequent communication with friends in Minneapolis who are navigating profound fear and uncertainty. One texted me, “This is way worse than COVID.”
Civil rights are being violated in ways that the national media is only beginning to acknowledge.
Another friend wrote: “They just started tear gassing today. Activists have been taken from their cars—ICE broke their windows—and were held in the U.S. citizen ward. Yes, they have a ward in the detention center for U.S. citizens.”
It feels like a point of no return. I believe we will look back on January 2026 as either the moment people across this country said no more, or the moment authoritarianism fully took hold. The force used in Minneapolis is a clear escalation from what we’ve already seen in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland—and it’s hard not to fear what comes next.
At The Village Well, we focus on families and educators. What’s happening right now is an attack on our communities. Families are being torn apart. Children are staying home from school out of fear. Minnesota Public Schools closed for two days because of violence and intimidation.
I don’t have answers. I’m wandering in confusion, just like many of you. We say things like stand up and speak out, but what does that actually mean in real life? Holding a sign at a protest matters—but sometimes it feels like a cup of water poured onto a forest fire.
Here’s what I am committing to right now:
Grounding practices.
I will move my body every day. I will step into the sun when it shows up. I will make time for breath, for stillness, for small moments of joy. These aren’t luxuries. They are what allow me to stay present and human.
Community.
I will stay connected to the people I love, especially those most directly impacted by this moment. I will listen more than I talk. I will not look away.
Organized resistance.
I will pour my cup of water on the fire and trust that many others are doing the same. Collective action is slow, imperfect, and necessary.
Planning.
I will make a safety plan for my family—because preparation is not panic, it’s care.
If you’re wondering how to get involved without burning yourself out, here are a few places to start—small, meaningful actions that add up:
Check in on families in your community who may be feeling targeted or unsafe. A text counts.
Support local mutual aid groups, legal defense funds, or school-based family organizations.
Talk with your kids honestly, at a developmentally appropriate level, about fear, fairness, and caring for one another.
Stay informed, but set boundaries with news and social media so you don’t flood your nervous system.
Gather with others—in person if you can. Community is a protective factor.
And just as importantly: care for yourself as part of caring for the collective. Rest. Laugh when you can. Let someone else carry things sometimes. None of us are meant to do this alone.
I want to hear from you.
How are you taking care of yourself right now?
How are you showing up for your family and your community?
What wisdom do you have for parents and educators trying to hold steady at this moment?
In solidarity and with care - be well!!
Ed
announcements
The San Francisco Bay Area Autism Society offers wonderful events for folks on the spectrum and their families and friends. They are very inclusive to people with other disabilities. Check out some of the things they have planned for 2026!
what we’re obsessed with
story of hope
In this new, regular, feature, I’ll offer a story that reminds us that there are good people in the world doing good things. I loved this story of a Native American family’s multigenerational advocacy to preserve the salmon fishery in the Klamath river, and how this advocacy helped one woman reconnect to both her roots and her calling.
another nudge to limit screen time
When I first started this work, I talked about “balanced screen time.” I believed that there was a place for phones, ipads and videogames in kids’ lives. Experience has radicalized me. In my work with parents of teens, every single one is concerned about screen addiction. I now push parents to limit screens as much as possible. But if I raise this issue every newsletter, I won’t get invited to parties. So I’m creating this new feature to drop the evidence as it comes my way. Here’s this week’s story.
Book a workshop for your school or organization
Bring The Village Well to your school or organization. We provide powerful, interactive and fun workshops for parents and/or staff. Learn more.
Ed Center, the founder of The Village Well, is a parenting coach and educator certified in the Triple P method. The Village Well is a community of parents in BIPOC families, focused on attaining more joy, calm, and meaning in family life. We coach parents to prioritize their own healing and wellness, deepen connections with their kids, and learn tools to support better behavior. Services include Parenting workshops, Parenting courses, and community events. Our support is culturally-grounded support and honors your unique family. Ready to stop yelling? Schedule a free consultation with one of our team members.
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