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Article “Being a new parent in a pandemic takes ‘hard’ to the next level”

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Taking those first wobbly steps into parenthood is a challenging, love-filled experience. There are sleepless nights, navigating feeding issues, and getting to know your new little person, and meeting their every need. Parenting for the first time during a pandemic though, is a new kind of challenging.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and these more recent lockdowns in Australia, there has been a lot of focus on parenting in the pandemic, particularly with school-aged kids with homeschooling, but giving birth during this pandemic is something many of us haven’t had to think about.

This is the reality for one mum, who recently shared her struggles on reddit. She shared, “I got pregnant 21 months ago. The pandemic started 18 months ago. My husband and I have been parents for 12 months. I never imagined it would turn out like this.”

Keeping a newborn healthy and safe in normal circumstances can be a daily concern, but during a pandemic it has caused a lot of stress for this new mum, “Relationships with our family are struggling because of Covid-19. They tell us “kids are fine” and you are the “99%”. But I will never risk being the 1%. I’m tired of being blamed for reality not matching expectations. I’m tired of being the bad guy for keeping my child safe. I’m tired of making hard decisions where no matter what I choose, someone will have something negative to say.”

“Being a new parent is hard. But being a new parent in a pandemic takes ‘hard’ to the next level”

Many responded to the new mum’s outcry with similar feelings of struggling, “I am so exhausted. You’re not alone.”

Another mum, with a baby the same age shared, “It’s a whole other level becoming a parent in a world like this, and I can’t deny that I’ve felt guilt at times bringing our daughter into this craziness.”

How are you finding parenting during the pandemic? Are you finding it hard?

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Comments

  • We were at a different stage, so the challenges were different, but yes it was very hard.

    Reply

  • Yes parenting was hard, had post natal depression and struggled for awhile. Due to have another bubs soon.

    Reply

  • My first child was 3 years ago. My experience was so different with my now 8 month old. All the lovely outings and catch up with the mothers groups, baby music and library etc and all the visits from friends and family just couldn’t happen this time around. I feel sorry for the new mums.who missed all of that.

    Reply

  • I had my 3rd baby during Melbourne’s hard lockdown last year and I found it a positive experience since we were able to spend quality time as a family.

    • Yes, that is the positive site of it !

    Reply

  • We’re blessed to live in an area where there haven’t been many lockdowns. But lockdowns are hard on all of us, whether we have babies or older kids

    Reply

  • I have a 7month old I’m in a place where the virus hasn’t effected us to bad so it hasn’t been to different in most ways, but the pandemic still scares me for my children’s futures

    Reply

  • Great article, very true

    Reply

  • Couldn’t agree more. It’s hard already and harder without support

    Reply

  • My first bub I was able to work from home due to the pandemic and loved it as I got to be with her more.
    Second baby is 7 months old and it was a bit hard not being able to have visitors at the hospital the whole time but agree it is scary with them being so little.

    Reply

  • To be honest, this pregnancy is a bit relaxed due to covid for us… Lockdown means working from home, so the first trimester I got to sleep in and without worrying about reaching work on time..
    The only thing is that my parents are overseas and I won’t have help post or pre delivery :(

    Reply

  • Sorry to tell you, but new parenting at any time brings those sorts of criticisms. You can’t win.

    • There is definitely an extra level of stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic though. I certainly wouldn’t begrudge any parent finding it especially difficult right now, especially a new mum.

    Reply

  • It’s challenging with most of our family and friends living in another state. When we decided to have a baby covid wasn’t around so it feels like we were cheated out of a lot of new parent experiences.

    Reply

  • I have a 3 year old and a 3 month old and it has been tough. You really need your village when you have a new baby

    Reply

  • I feel for those who are new to parenting during this time as a support network is so helpful. Hopefully people access online supports or are able to contact family members to talk things through with even if they cant be with them.

    Reply

  • Friend of mine is pregnant and so worry about whole situation.

    Reply
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