Pandemic parenting
The pandemic has been tough on us all and equally difficult for new parents. Over half (52%) of pregnant women and new mums feel their mental health has been negatively affected during the pandemic and 48% said they’ve felt isolated coping with the demands of early motherhood during lockdown. Fostering healthy relationships between those at home has been put under pressure.
79% revealed they felt the pandemic has had a negative impact on their relationship with their partner, with nearly a quarter (24%) admitting more support from their partner would help.
These insights come from new research conducted by Tu at Sainsbury's, exploring the experiences of new parents adapting to life under Covid. With 96% admitting they feel they have missed out on the full experience of new parenthood; this demonstrates the difficulties faced, with many isolated from friends and family; lacking advice and connection in such a challenging time.
In response to these findings, Tu at Sainsbury’s has teamed up with Motherkind, a multi-media digital platform aimed at sharing skills and experiences via a network of parents; to launch four free online workshops through Eventbrite. The classes will cover topics such as self-care, partner relationships and socialising your baby, to help give advice and support. 76% of those surveyed said they had found support in digital formats to be a life line during the pandemic. Motherkind will be providing further workshops online for parents. The workshop series sign-up will launch on @tuclothing social.
Due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, 94% of respondents had significant worries for themselves and their baby. Over a quarter (26%) highlighted concerns about their baby not knowing their extended family. Nearly one in three (28%) are fearful that their child is unable to socialise with others, an important chapter in their early development.
Tu and Motherkind’s workshops aim to help parents strike the perfect balance between teamwork and alone time, along with possible solutions to help ease the socialising void. But there is a glimmer of hope. Over a third (35%) of those surveyed said they’ve welcomed their partner being able to spend more time at home during the pandemic, and 29% have had more regular video contact with parents and grandparents – this next generation is fast becoming the first to learn and explore their social development skills through a screen.