Being a parent is no walk in the park. Even when you’re at a high point in your life, parenting can still be a challenge. But it is when you hit a rough patch, like losing a job or a loved one, that holding it together can feel near impossible. You are not alone in this, and these three tips will help you parent mindfully when everything seems out of control.

1. Dedicate Time for Connection and for Independence

In other words, make time to do shared activities together, but also plan times for you all to do your individual thing. The first part, you probably already know all too well: cooking dinner together, playing board games, watching movies, and virtually anything that can be considered as a “bonding time.” It’s important not to get too stressed about spending all your free time with your children. They need their own personal space as well. So, next time you need to do some work at home, present your kids with a choice: “do you want to play with your dolls or go outside while I finish my work for an hour?” Pick safe options and let them choose what they want to do out of them.

2. Parenting Is About Learning Together, Too

A lot of the parenting advice you will likely find online revolves around using every opportunity to educate your child about “the important things in life.” Yes and no. When times are tough and you are emotionally vulnerable, your children can sense that. Instead of trying to make a lesson out of everything, why not learn something together. Or, better yet, why not let them teach you something? For example, they can show you how to create masterpieces out of crayons and paper, as well as the proper way to eat your cereal in the morning.

3. Reassure Them

During times of instability or major changes, you will often find a difference in your kids’ behavior. There can be more bedtime call-backs, tantrums, and otherwise uncharacteristic behaviors you’re not used to. Oftentimes, these changes are a cry for attention. Your children may not understand you’re going through a challenging time, but they can feel something is off, and they instantly feel insecure and in need of your emotional reassurance. So, give that to them. Let your children know they are your top priority. Let them choose an activity for you to do together, even if you only have half an hour. Unlike other things in life, parenting is 24/7, and your kids should know that even if everything else changes, your love for them won’t.

Britney Spears will move forward with her conservatorship battle with a new attorney of her choice. Attorney Mathew Rosengart has agreed to be Britney Spears’ legal representation moving forward in her conservatorship fight. Reportedly, he had multiple conversations with Britney, and he has been keeping tabs on the details surrounding her case for a while. Rosengart felt that Britney’s testimony was very compelling, and he will represent her in court.

Rosengart, Who Will Represent Britney Spears, Is a Former Federal Prosecutor

Rosengart, who is a former federal prosecutor, has worked for many A-listers, including Steven Spielberg, Ben Affleck, and Sean Penn. He is being hired after Inghram, Britney Spears’ last lawyer since the start of the conservatorship in 2008, asked to step away from her case. He did that just after Britney made claims about his representation during her bombshell testimony in June. Back then, she spoke for 24 minutes and at one point claimed that she was never made aware that she could petition for the conservatorship to end. According to Britney, she honestly didn’t know that.

Britney Spears’ Last Lawyer, Samuel Ingham III, Was Extremely Upset By Her Testimony

Reportedly, Ingham was very upset by Britney Spears’ statement. He claimed he was not to blame for this because he had made her rights very clear to her. Apparently, sources further speculate that Spears had expressed to Ingham that she wanted to remove her father, Jamie Spears, from the conservatorship and not end it completely.

In addition to Ingham, Brintey Spears lost her manager, Larry Rudolph, as well. He quit less than a week after Bessemer Trust, the co-conservator of her estate, announced his exit. Rudolph had a different story, though. He claimed his departure was related to Spears’ intent to retire from making music. So far, Britney has not addressed this claim in any fashion.

In 2008, Jamie Spears was granted conservatorship after Britney had mental health issues and was hospitalized. When she was released, an LA court made the conservatorship permanent, giving her father and co-conservator power over medical decisions, finances, and other aspects of her life.