First Time Parent during Coronavirus Pandemic
Over a month ago, my wife and I welcomed our first child into this world that has been turned upside down by this pandemic. Business and stores have temporary closed causing some to lose their income while these orders are in place. What used to be a 30 minute shopping visit at the grocery store has turned into a 2+ hour event while wearing a mask and gloves. This pandemic has changed how all families, not only my own, go about their daily routines, work schedules, and normal errands. However, our number 1 priority as parents, is to make sure our families are safe and cared for while we juggle through these ever changing times.
Prior to the pandemic, my wife and I were preparing for our first child and thought we had prepared as best we could be. We were expecting the norms as a first time parent, such as having numerous visitors coming into the hospital to see their grandchild/niece for the first time and holding her. Having your home turn into a pit-stop for family and friends to visit her once she gets home and offering a hand in caring for her and sharing in the experience. Both of us going to her first doctor’s appointments and monthly checkups. Lastly, having to go back to work after maternity leave is over and relying on my wife and other family members for caring for her while I am at work.
Instead, as first time parents during this pandemic, no visitors were allowed in the hospital besides myself as my wife’s one support person (right as we were delivering our baby, New York hospitals had tried to put Order in place where no support person was allowed at all, thankfully we are not in New York and that was changed since cause I don’t know what I would have done if I was not allowed in the room with my wife). Family and friends have only been able to see her through FaceTime, Zoom, or through our glass door which has been more difficult than one could imagine. Hopefully in the next month or so, our families will be able to meet her in person. We are so grateful to have family and friends able to offer advice and answer questions we might have. And our doctor’s appointments have either been video chat (which can cause more stress on first time parents) or only one parent is able to be at the appointment causing the other parent to feel helpless. For myself, one of the blessings of the pandemic, I have been able to work from home during this time, and I am able to see her during the day and help my wife in her care. However, it’s a different story for my wife, who’s a hair stylist to return to work in a profession where it’s nearly impossible to keep social distancing requirements in place.
While so much of our normal everyday lives have changed over the past few months as first time parents, we still have to look at the big picture; that our families are safe and cared for. Here at LaMonaca Law, we always try to look at the big picture in an ever changing situation. While our team members might not be physically at the office to help our clients, we are capable to help our clients from our home offices through the numerous programs and technology we implemented prior to this pandemic, forcing us all to work from home. Click or Call 610-892-3877
