A couple of mum friends of mine and I were discussing the fact that we feel like the last few months of maternity leave have been stolen with the Corona Virus restrictions.
I know what that feels like. I came home from a month with the in-laws intending to make he most of my last three months off work with Rox. However, one week later, social isolation descended. And now we're on lockdown.
No more mums groups.
No more local events, beach trips, general public baby entertainment to enrich her life.
No more coffees out with friends.
No more building social skills of baby.
No more day trips for a 'change of scenery'.
Maternity leave is hard work, but there's lots of opportunity to meet new people, have fun, spend month, explore your baby's likes, dislikes, mental development... Much less so now!
This is why we agreed to some extent that we felt a bit robbed. We're all at home, either alone with baby, or with a partner, and finding ways to cope.
However, I'd argue now, after some reflection, it ain't so bad.
1. If we're keyworkers we don't have to work and potentially be exposed to CoVid-19 risk areas, staying at home and protecting our families.
2. Free entertainment for baby and mum has changed, not disappeared. On yesterday's blog, for example, I told you about the free trial of Now TV. Once or twice a week baby groups time can easily be filled with a film. It's not the same, granted, but it's not terrible. Screen time is new for Rox anyway, as we've been careful to only really use screens for calling grandparents over the last few months.
3. Think about the mums who are about to have a baby or have just started their leave. They haven't had the time we had at the start of their new family life, as have no idea when this situation will end. And for sure, some grandparents have yet to meet their new grandchild!
4. For some babies, isolation and lockdown means more time with daddy, yay!
My group of mum friends mostly have babies the same age as Rox, so we're all really lucky to have had 10, 9, 8 months already caring for our babes, bonding with them, and helping our babies develop into walking, talking, sleeping and behaving (almost)t
I intend to make the most of the rest of my leave, even if it's limited socially!
Lou x
P.S. I made plum buns to be productive today, made a rainbow for my front window like the neighbours are doing to spread positivity to help someone out (hopefully), and I watched The Lion King to make me happy.
And, a gratuitous gorgeous pic of my favourite person...
No more mums groups.
No more local events, beach trips, general public baby entertainment to enrich her life.
No more coffees out with friends.
No more building social skills of baby.
No more day trips for a 'change of scenery'.
Maternity leave is hard work, but there's lots of opportunity to meet new people, have fun, spend month, explore your baby's likes, dislikes, mental development... Much less so now!
This is why we agreed to some extent that we felt a bit robbed. We're all at home, either alone with baby, or with a partner, and finding ways to cope.
However, I'd argue now, after some reflection, it ain't so bad.
1. If we're keyworkers we don't have to work and potentially be exposed to CoVid-19 risk areas, staying at home and protecting our families.
2. Free entertainment for baby and mum has changed, not disappeared. On yesterday's blog, for example, I told you about the free trial of Now TV. Once or twice a week baby groups time can easily be filled with a film. It's not the same, granted, but it's not terrible. Screen time is new for Rox anyway, as we've been careful to only really use screens for calling grandparents over the last few months.
3. Think about the mums who are about to have a baby or have just started their leave. They haven't had the time we had at the start of their new family life, as have no idea when this situation will end. And for sure, some grandparents have yet to meet their new grandchild!
4. For some babies, isolation and lockdown means more time with daddy, yay!
My group of mum friends mostly have babies the same age as Rox, so we're all really lucky to have had 10, 9, 8 months already caring for our babes, bonding with them, and helping our babies develop into walking, talking, sleeping and behaving (almost)t
I intend to make the most of the rest of my leave, even if it's limited socially!
Lou x
P.S. I made plum buns to be productive today, made a rainbow for my front window like the neighbours are doing to spread positivity to help someone out (hopefully), and I watched The Lion King to make me happy.
And, a gratuitous gorgeous pic of my favourite person...
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