A choose-your-own-adventure starter map for scared parents learning how to resist threats to our communities.
A Luminary Braintrust Collab Lab Experiment
Oh Shit! What Now?
Collaboration LaboratoryWorkshop
COLLAB LAB EXPERIMENT
Oh shit. What now?
Choose Your Own Adventure Map
Are you a parent or educator who is having all kinds of FEELS right now because you or the people you care about are newly in danger under our current system?
Do you feel like ‘Gosh, it would be nice if someone could just hold my hand and walk me through what I’m supposed to do here?’No worries! We got you.
How it works
Feeling scattered and not sure where to start? Get grip and choose the next easiest action tailored to your personal energy level, social needs, and risk tolerance.
This map is best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer.
We’re still working on a mobile-friendly and print version, so if you’d like to help – reach out and let’s collaborate!
In this choose your own adventure map, you'll find:`
Quick self-regulation practices so you don’t cause more harm when jumping in
5-minute actions you can take from home (even while baby-wearing and sleep-deprived)
Simple ways to connect with others doing the work so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel
Use this simple Oh Shit, What Now? flow chart to reference when panic hits and you need something to keep you moored
FAQ & Troubleshooting
You sure can!
Just be sure to share this page, rather than the PDF file itself, so they can get the most recent version.
Share this link: https://booksforlittles.com/oh-shit-what-now-map/
Just be sure to share this page, rather than the PDF file itself, so they can get the most recent version.
Share this link: https://booksforlittles.com/oh-shit-what-now-map/
The adventure map is best viewed on a laptop or desktop computer.
We’re currently working on a version that’s friendly with mobile devices. Join the Tangled Roots mailing list if you’d like notifications for when it’s available.
We’re currently working on a version that’s friendly with mobile devices. Join the Tangled Roots mailing list if you’d like notifications for when it’s available.
You may have trouble zooming in or seeing clear text if you open the map, on your phone, google drive preview, or a web browser window.
For clear and legible text, download the PDF to your device and open it directly on your device.
For clear and legible text, download the PDF to your device and open it directly on your device.
We’re working on a print-formatted version for folks who find print media more accessible.
Join the Tangled Roots mailing list if you’d like notifications for when it’s available.
Join the Tangled Roots mailing list if you’d like notifications for when it’s available.
Who created this guide?
Tangled Roots Caregiver Collaborative
Alison Ledgerwood [she/her]
Alison is a behavioral scientist & professor at UC Davis collaboratively designing systems to support open and inclusive science.
Raising Luminaries
Ashia Ray [they/them]
Ashia Ray is the Head Custodian of Infodumpery for Raising Luminaries supporting parents juggling advocacy and care work.
Leave a comment
Help others get unstuck
Leave a comment and tell us - what does your doom-loop look like?
Your answers will shape future versions of the Oh Shit Map and help other parents get unstuck.
More from the Collab Lab:
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©2025 Ashia Ray of Raising Luminaries™. All rights reserved.
Raising Luminaries is anchored in the land of the Wampanoag & Massachusett People.
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Photographs via Unsplash & Illustrations via Storyset, used with permission.
3 comments
So thankful for this loving space to spiral into action (after some centering and resourcing in community). Sending big love to you and Alison.
My doom-loop isn’t a loop- it’s a burying of my head in the sand. I’m super empathetic and any time I pay attention to what’s going on I just sink into despair. I’m a newly divorced mom and one of my kids just came out as trans last week. I’m thrilled for him and terrified. My way of dealing with the world is not an effective way to fight for my child or my country. I need to find a better way.
Unfortunately I can’t attend the workshop on that day, so I’m registering my strong interest in a second session! Thank you so much for offering this at all, though. A friend sent this to me and said I should be following you all, so I will.
I feel you, JC. It’s a bummer that you can’t make our October workshop, but I’m so glad you’re joining the community so we can work together in the future!