Parents must work together to provide support for each other during these current times. With many schools returning to in-person learning part-time and remote learning part-time or a full-time remote learning environment, it’s hard for parents to handle the stress.
These changes with back to school season have created a new lifestyle that parents must adapt to and some parents are struggling. Not only is this pandemic hitting parents hard, but it’s impacting how kids interact with others and handle their emotions.
Today we’re going to help you find new ways to support parents during the pandemic so that you can remain physically distant, but still, have the support group you need to stay calm during our current times.
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Reach Out
The first step to support new parents during the pandemic is to reach out. If a new parent has other children attending remote school or in-person school while they’re trying to take care of a newborn, then they’re going to need some extra help right now!
Ask these new parents if there’s anything you can do to help ease the burden of stress during these first few weeks of being a new parent. Consider making easy-to-heat-up meals and dropping them off at their doorstep, so that they can eat healthy without the extra prep work. Do something that the new parent is willing to let you do, so as to not step on their toes or do a task that isn’t welcomed.
Be a Call or Text Away
Reach out to your new parent friends and let them know that you’re on call for them to rant, cry, laugh, or ramble no matter what time of day it is. Sometimes new parents need a safe person to call or text so that they can get the stress off their shoulders.
Make sure your new parent friends understand that you’ll be that person they can call or text no matter what’s going on. You’ll be their support system during these difficult times to listen without judgment and perhaps add some comic relief with your clever sarcasm to help lift their spirits.
Consider a Virtual Gift
There are a few gifts you can purchase online that will help support new parents during the pandemic.
Make sure you ask beforehand for gifts like a cleaning service or anything that involves a stranger arriving at your friend’s home. Other gift ideas include a gift card for their favorite take-out restaurant, gas money for their doctor trips, and so on.
Sending a virtual gift to a new parent will brighten their day, even if it’s just a $10 gas card. A little bit goes a long way when it comes to sending virtual gifts as an act of kindness for new parents. This will help alleviate their stress and remind them that people do love and care for them.
These are just a few of our ideas to help you support new parents during the pandemic. You can use these tips to help a virtual friend or in-real-life friend feel calmer, happier, and more normal during a time when it’s difficult to feel anything but stressed and anxious.