On Boxing Day in 2019, I welcomed into the world my daughter, Grace Margaret.
Australia was a very different place when Grace arrived.
There had been no confirmed COVID-19 cases and everything was still “normal”.
Less than three months later, Victoria had been put in a state of emergency, the state was in lockdown and there had been more than 2000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia.
So many people say that nothing can prepare you for becoming a parent and while that is somewhat true, there really is nothing at all to prepare someone for becoming a new parent in a pandemic.
While I do count myself lucky – when I welcomed Grace into the world, there were no restrictions in place surrounding her birth or who could visit – this is a luxury many missed out on in 2020 and 2021.
I still remember as clear as day sitting in a circle with my mothers’ group and being informed that anyone having just had a baby or due anytime soon would miss out on being able to physically attend a mothers’ group.
It was in that moment that I felt a shift in the world around us.
No longer was I more than happy to show off my beautiful newborn or allow my nearest and dearest to have a cuddle, instead I was left feeling fearful to even take her to the supermarket just in case someone with COVID-19 leaned into her pram.
I was left not wanting anyone to hold her, in the fear that not only may she catch COVID-19 but that she may be a carrier with no symptoms and passing it on to those most vulnerable.
That fear soon changed to the feeling of isolation with the state put into lockdown. While Grace’s father went to work, I was at home all day completely alone, only ever leaving to go to the supermarket.
Being a stay-at-home parent not in a pandemic can already often be lonely and isolating but to then not even be able to leave the house to see anyone or do anything – that adds a whole new level to the meaning of feeling isolated.
It wasn’t until recently when I spoke with a close friend, who welcomed their first born not long after I did, that I realised just how tough many parents, especially new parents, have had it over the past 18 months.
Many children have missed out on the chance to interact regularly with others, their first smiles and first steps have often only been witnessed by their parents.
They have developed attachment issues with having been locked down only with their immediate family, and many grandparents have had to witness their grandchildren grow up through a screen.
I have my fingers crossed that things will get under control sooner rather than later to enable new parents to have access to the support of friends and family that is most definitely needed.
I would love to hear from other parents learning to navigate their new world during the pandemic. If you would like to share your experience or have a topic of interest you would like to discuss, send me an email to cmorgan@sunraysiadaily.com.au.
