Bryanna Mead with Chasing a Dream Farm walks with Lucas Hammel, 6, of Torrington, following his lesson during thier therapeutic horse program Saturday at the farm in Newtown. Jim Shannon Republican-American Children are facing incredible strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are helpful steps all parents can take. Michael Stokes, of Stokes Counseling Services in Naugatuck, recommends parents help children understand there is nothing abnormal about their struggles. Parents should accept their own limitations and struggles as well. “We are all going through a collective trauma and we have to understand we are doing the best we can do, and sometimes that might not feel good enough and we might want to focus on what we could do more,” Stokes said. “Sometimes we have to realize we are doing the best with what we have. So certainly, go easy on yourself.”