The kids don't give a f*ck and that's not your fault.

Deardecoded, <br> <br>This may be the most important thing you need to hear right now: **the kids do not give a fuck and that is NOT your fault.** <br><br> <br> <br><br>For the last two years, kids have had the most inconsistent, confusing, and frightening time ever imagined. Nothing makes sense, their routines were turned upside down, and they are now expected to behave like normal human beings, doing normal human things, like learning, participating, and following directions.<br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids do not give a fuck because they have spent the last two years learning to survive in a world that is hostile, chaotic, and completely unpredictable.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids do not give a fuck because they have been forced to hold it together for so long in order to adapt to this new abnormal that they no longer give a fuck about things that they used to give a fuck about.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids do not give a fuck because their priorities have shifted. Now, they give a fuck about getting out of bed every morning, about being able to breathe and function, and about making it to the end of the day without losing their minds.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids do not give a fuck because they are experiencing the worst mental health crisis in human history. They are suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and who knows what else.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids do not give a fuck because many of them are too busy trying to survive within abusive homes, and unsupportive systems that should be protecting and caring for them.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids do not give a fuck because they have learned to live in a world where nothing matters anymore, because in a world where children are left to die on operating tables because they cannot get oxygen, nothing else really matters.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>They don't give a fuck about your lesson plans. They don't give a fuck about your expectations. They don't give a fuck about your institutions. They don't give a fuck about your standards. They don't give a fuck about your data. They don't give a fuck about your career. They don't give a fuck about your opinions, and quite frankly, they don't give a fuck about very much anymore.<br><br> <br> <br><br>And **none of this is your fault.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>So, stop blaming yourself, and the kids. Stop holding them up to standards that no one could meet in these times. Stop beating yourself up because you feel like you're failing. Stop judging yourself and the kids for not giving a fuck because in the grand scheme of things, all of this nonsense really does not matter.<br><br> <br> <br><br>**What matters is that we stop punishing kids for being human. What matters is that we stop beating ourselves up for not being able to do the impossible. What matters is that we begin to create societies that nurture and protect our children so they can thrive, heal, learn, and grow.** <br><br> <br> <br><br>**What matters is that we begin to hold systems accountable for abandoning and betraying our children. What matters is that we begin to hold governments accountable for sacrificing our children's lives and futures. What matters is that we begin to hold ourselves accountable for failing to protect the most vulnerable and weak.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>And **the kids will be okay.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>They may not give a fuck today, but they will learn to give a fuck again. They may not care today, but they will learn to care again. They may not love today, but they will learn to love again.<br><br> <br> <br><br>Because one day, they will heal, and **they will rise.** And when they do, they will hold us accountable for failing them. They will hold us accountable for letting them suffer, for sacrificing them, and for betraying them.<br><br> <br> <br><br>So, **choose your side.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>Are you with the kids, or against them? Are you going to continue to punish them for being human, or are you going to join them in their revolution for humanity? Are you going to continue to beat yourself up for failing them, or are you going to rise up and join them in their fight for survival? <br><br> <br> <br><br>I am with the kids. I am for the kids. I am so proud and honored to stand alongside them as they rise and take their rightful places as the guardians and caretakers of our planet.<br><br> <br> <br><br>Deardecoded, <br><br> <br> <br><br>**The kids don't give a fuck, and that's okay.**<br><br> <br> <br><br>Love,<br> <br>The footnotes in a book that may never be read