‘You don’t have that village anymore’; Parents of pandemic babies isolated, lonely

As we enter year three of the pandemic, there are now toddlers who have never lived in a non-COVID world.

Associate Professor of Psychology at Simon Fraser University, Tanya Broesch, says kids are resilient and can adapt to change easily, so she isn’t too worried about the long-term impacts of growing up in a pandemic.

However, there is concern surrounding isolation in parents.

“If a new mother is having a baby in an urban centre, to see her social contacts, usually she has to leave her house and usually they participate in organized groups. Without that, they’re more isolated.”

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Broesch adds that the stress of parenting in an ever-changing pandemic world can impact parents and caregivers, such as depression, which the children can feel.

“We know that well-being is correlated with social networks. So if you have social support in your life, you’re more likely to score higher on general well-being.”

Sonia Sidhu with CityNews’ sister station, KiSS RADiO, had her baby just before COVID impacted B.C.

She agrees with Broesch that the biggest concern of parenting in a pandemic is loneliness.

“You’re used to hearing that it takes a village to raise a child and raise a family and unfortunately, you don’t have that village anymore because you’re kinda just left by yourself to do everything.

“You can’t have someone come over and help you with things because you’re trying to keep your distance.”

Sidhu says her toddler doesn’t know life without masks, so it’s as normal to put on a mask when you leave the house as putting on a jacket is.

There are some positive impacts for COVID toddlers, Broesch says. For example, having less structured play and spending more time with parents and siblings.

“I’ve always advocated for kids to have less-structured play, less structured lives overall like being involved in less organized sports and things like that, we know that is a positive thing.”

At the end of the day parents right now are just trying their best, Sidhu adds.

“Parents are just hoping to keep their kids happy, healthy, safe, no one knows what they’re doing, pandemic or not we’re just kinda making it up as we go along,” she says.

“You just hope that you raise a kind individual with a good heart. Strong voice, humble heart, that’s what me and my husband always say.”