The COVID-19 pandemic has been a period of loss for nearly everyone. While of course the truly irrevocable losses are the lost lives of friends and family members, there are many kids and families struggling emotionally with other types of loss right now. The disappointment of missed graduations, summer jobs and camps, and other milestones they’ve looked forward to has affected everyone in different ways. Many are also dealing with the emotional blows of lost jobs and worry for the safety of loved ones on the front lines of the pandemic, while still others are having a tough time with the confinement of social distancing.

All of these are losses, and it’s understandable that even the most upbeat people might be having a hard time feeling perfectly cheerful. Part of supporting each other — and especially supporting our kids and teens during the pandemic — is being willing and able to talk about the hard feelings we’re all having. It’s okay to be disappointed, it’s okay to feel sad, and it’s okay to have frustrations over lost opportunities. Talk about it with these conversation starters: