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Local moms scream their way to national news

Parents Shout It Out at Macaroni KID Event in New Jersey

By Kara Murphy February 15, 2022

Like the rest of us, Macaroni KID Clifton-Montclair, N.J., Publisher Jessica Kline is DONE with this pandemic.

So she invited her Macaroni KID Clifton-Montclair readers to join her in venting their frustrations in a VERY unique way.

By SCREAMING it out!

Here's what Jessica shared on Facebook to invite parents:

Every time it feels like things are smooth sailing I swear something else happens. Delayed school start, shortened day ... gray skies, frozen pipes, ghosted by a contractor, covid tests, wondering if we’re doing the right thing all the time….

Ladies and gents, we are a month shy of our ... anniversary of this all and although I’ve screamed alone in my car, in my pillow, at my husband and kids, I think being together in the outdoors with other parents in the community will be therapeutic.

National attention

Jessica got the idea from a similar event in Boston. The idea was so unique, so easy and so healing that it not only got parents in her community excited but also got the attention of national news organizations. The Washington Post and CBS Mornings ran a story on the event. 

See the coverage by CBS Mornings here: 

Jessica's scream event was a huge success, and not just because parents had the chance to howl out their frustrations.






All photos by Kate Albright, Freelance Photographer

Macaroni KID Clifton-Montclair Publisher Jessica Kline, above, organized "the scream."

Kate Albright, a freelance photographer who attended the event, wrote on Facebook:

Witnessing these women, many strangers, holding space for one another (and in person, not on a zoom call) made me feel like times were almost normal again. As I walked away, two moms leaned into each other. When they broke apart I could see the tears. They were no longer the tears of being alone in grief and hardship but were communal tears, recognized and supported.


Photo by Kate Albright, Freelance Photographer

Congratulations, Jessica, on bringing your community together and giving parents a safe space to SCREAM it out!

Jessica will be hosting another scream event in her community on March 13 to mark the anniversary of the pandemic and to mark another parenting nightmare — the day when Daylight Saving Time begins.

We're so proud of the ways Macaroni KID publishers like Jessica make an impact on their communities. Interested in finding out about joining our team and becoming a Macaroni KID publisher in your community? Get details at JoinMacaroniKID.com!