Ms. Rachel Is Back With an Important Message on Setting Boundaries

Just a little over a week after announcing she would be taking a break from TikTok for her mental health, viral musical education star Rachel Griffin Accurso, better known as Ms. Rachel, is back with an important message.

Appearing in a pink and white checkered shirt with her hair down, Accurso let viewers of her latest TikTok video know that she had returned to “serve children and their families every day and to share the love and kindness that we want to see reflected in the world.” But this return comes after spending some time “thinking about setting social media boundaries for myself, which is a good practice for a lot of people."

In a separate Instagram post Accurso went on to talk about the importance of setting these boundaries. “We can set boundaries to protect ourselves and recognize what things we do on social media that don’t make us feel good, do less of that and do more in life that makes us feel happy and nourishes our souls," she wrote in her caption. “We can practice self-care which is so important,” she added.

Parents responded in the comments with a resounding appreciation for Accurso’s return and message. “Teaching our babies by modeling boundary setting and taking breaks? Yes, please,” added one commentator. “You need all the self care because you co-parent like 3 million kids,” another joked.

The former preschool teacher turned YouTube sensation initially announced her social media hiatus in a video posted on February 27. In it, Accurso sings to followers, “I’m taking a break from TikTok for my mental health.” In the caption she explains, “Hurtful videos and comments, no matter how much attention they get, will not bring you [what] you want. Only love can do that.”

Recently, she and co-star Jules Hoffman have faced backlash from some parents over Hoffman’s use of they/them pronouns. Hoffman responded on March 2 with a TikTok video discussing how to teach little ones love and acceptance. “Love is always going to be stronger than hate,” they said.

Last week after announcing her break, in a statement for ABC News, Accurso explained that, while she loves connecting to her community and hopes to return to TikTok soon, “it’s important to recognize when we need a break…and to set social media boundaries.” Previously, Accurso has also discussed mental health for parents on TikTok and even shared her own struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Ms. Rachel’s social media sabbatical and return is an important reminder that, when it comes to social media and setting boundaries, only you truly know what’s best for yourself. If you’re looking to take a breather and schedule some time for self-care, check out these 23 ways, big and small, to relax and recharge!