Written by: David Miller-Glick

Being a parent can be stressful even in the best of times, but in today’s political climate it can be downright scary. A myriad of wicked problems such as climate change, the rising specter of fascism, and economic insecurity fills me with fear for my child’s future. But organizing with Lancaster Stands Up has taught me that we need to support each other through these trying times, and Parents’ Night was a refreshing opportunity to do just that.

On surface level this was a modest gathering of a few families, but for me it was a time of spiritual and social rest. I got to talk with other parents about our lives and common experiences with parenting, and forget about the chaos of the world while passing a soccer ball around with my son and the other kids who were present. We also jammed to some peppy Salsa fusion music thanks to the weekly Long’s Park free summer concert playing in the background.

I also learned that many kids are natural organizers. My son made some new friends at the nearby playground, and asked if they could join us for snacks and play, and when we gave our enthusiastic approval their mom joined us as well. A little while later, the kids from our group saw a few people throwing a baseball back and forth, and a few minutes later the groups combined to play a full game of baseball with catchers, 3 bases, and so on. 

I volunteer with Lancaster Stands Up because I want a better future for my child, but I often do so on my own. My experience at Parents’ Night showed me the wonderful possibilities that open up when parents organize with their children. My son’s social fearlessness allowed him to invite a family that had never heard of Lancaster Stands Up to join us, and I am proud of his welcoming attitude. Children and youth have a long history of breathing life into social justice movements, from the Children’s March during the Civil Rights era to today’s Sunrise Movement.

Being a parent in today’s world is not an easy task, but thanks to communities like Lancaster Stands Up, we can support each other and fight for a better world alongside our children. If we do another family night like this one I hope to see you there!