Bibliog aphic Citation Weaver J. L. & Swank J. M. (2020). Parents’ Lived Experiences With the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Family Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480720969194 Autho s Jo Lauren Weaver and Jacqueline M. Swank (counselor educator & counselor educator doctoral student). Resea ch Conce n The authors indicated the concern on their study was to gain insight into the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on parents. This includes impacts on their experiences assisting their children with virtual learning as well as their own work-life balance. They also researched data concerned with the educational and emotional impact of the pandemic as well as concerns as they pertain to counseling. Pu pose The purpose of this study was to gain information about the experiences that parents had during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the themes and subthemes that will have implications for future counseling. P ecedent Lite atu e The World Health Organization declared in March of 2020 that the COVID-19 had progressed to a state that qualified it as a worldwide pandemic (WHO 2020). Adults and children alike faced major changes with the ongoing stay-at-home orders and statewide mandates. These restrictions resulted in financial hardships for some as well as emotional stressors (Pew Research Center 2020). As the balance shifted from outside influences to the majority of interactions taking place within the home routines and rituals of individual families also changed (Craig & Churchill 2020). Resea ch Methodology The study focused on a group of eleven parent participants all with children ages 6-15. Parents included were both males and females ranging in ages from 33 to 49. Ten of the participants reported as working from home while one was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers gained participants through facebook recruitment as well as email. The participants of Dr. Jaocb Bryant Approaches Expectations the study were then interviewed via Zoom for qualitative research. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed for emerging themes. Inst umentation Researchers used a qualitative phenomenological data analysis approach (Moustakas 1994). The participants answered interview questions about their lived experiences during the pandemic as well as demographic questions. Findings After analyzing the interview transcripts the researchers identified eight themes and five subthemes: (a) educational experience; (b) navigating roles and responsibilities with two subthemes spousal relationship and letting go of expectations; (c) recognizing privilege; (d) routine with a subtheme of priorities; (e) monitoring and communication about COVID-19; (f) vacillating emotions; (g) connection with two subthemes lost connection/ support and changes in connections/relationships in the future; and (h) meaningful experiences. Conclusion The impact of the COVID-19 has made ...