The past year wasn’t perfect, but we’re getting closer to something that seems halfway familiar. Here’s a look at how families navigated the special challenges of 2021.
Families bond after a Thanksgiving meal in Houston on November 25, 2021.
Photograph by Brandon Bell / Getty Images
ByRachel Buchholz
CURATED BYShannon Hibberd
Published December 6, 2021
Family life in 2021 wasn’t exactly back to normal. But compared to 2020? We’ll take it. And though families faced multitudes of new challenges, they tackled them with the same resiliency and perseverance they’ve had throughout the pandemic.
“Modeling calm responses and having open conversations about what’s happening … can be really helpful,” says Rutgers University’s Vanessa LoBue, associate professor of psychology.
“When virtual learning came along, I wouldn’t do everything like I used to,” says Maison Smith, a high school freshman in New Rochelle, New York. “It was a challenge, but I’m excited now to go back.”
“It’s not a regular school year,” says Linda McNeiley, a middle school counselor in Hammond, Indiana, who—like many educators—dealt with surprising challenges as well. “I don’t know what a regular year will look like in the future, but we’re not there now.”
But 2021 still provided families much to celebrate. Kamala Harris inspired children—especially girls and kids of color—by becoming the country’s first female, Black, and Asian American vice president. Kids went back to summer camps, and family vacations were a thing again. And of course, the holidays became the holidays after vaccinated families started celebrating together once again.
As far as 2022 goes? Challenge accepted.
“There are good things to be learned from struggling through mild adversity,” says Jessie Borelli, a clinical psychologist at the University of California, Irvine, in this article about forgiveness. “Like recognizing that we are resilient—and recognizing the value of the important things in life."
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