Earlier this week, a Twitter user and entrepreneur took to the social networking platform to ask how parents are managing to raise children while depressed. The now-viral tweet has since garnered more than 30,000 likes and 4,000 comments. Within the comments, thousands of parents, primarily Black mothers, share how they’re managing to parent their kids while suffering from the crippling mood disorder. Statistics show that Black women experience depression at higher rates when compared to the general population, which is why this conversation is particularly important. Here are some of the highlights:

Seek the help of a therapist

For some, the only way to effectively parent while depressed is to enlist the help of a therapist. Therapists can offer medication and coping strategies to get through depressive episodes.

Plan ahead

Some parents take advantage of their high moments in order to plan for their lows. One mother explained that she cooks and freezes extra meals for rainy days. She also preps laundry and cleans as much as possible when she’s feeling good.

Be transparent

Instead of hiding their condition, some parents cope by having age-appropriate conversations with their kids about what’s going on. This helps to keep the children from blaming themselves for mommy’s sadness.

Go through the motions

For some parents, parenting while depressed simply means going through the motions and operating in survival mode to take care of the kids. Unfortunately, while they’re doing what they have to do, they’re suffering tremendously on the inside.

Self-reflection

Self-awareness and honest self-reflection are key for some parents who struggle with depression. Being in tune helps to ensure that all needs are being met and that nothing slips through the cracks.

Just push through

For some, parenting through depression is just a matter of fighting through the overwhelming feelings of sadness to ensure that their children are happy, loved, and well cared for.

Keep the kids distracted

One parent keeps her depression from affecting her children by keeping them active and busy with extracurricular activities.

Know your limitations

Parenting while depressed means that sometimes, you’ll have to be okay with doing the bare minimum of just ensuring that the basic needs of the children are being met.

Hide and cry

Some parents work to put on a brave face for their children and then have their moments behind closed doors.

Take breaks

It’s also important for parents to take breaks as needed. Sometimes an hour or two away from the kids can help parents to get through difficult days.

Take medication

For others, parenting while depressed is best navigated by going on antidepressant medication to help regulate the condition.