A Memorable Mother’s Day
Baby Steps
Let's be honest. This has been an unprecedented spring, one that none of us will ever forget. It's brought with it a stream of distinct emotions and experiences. Worry. Fear. Sadness. Anger. Resolve. Courage. Empathy. Peace. Love. Togetherness. It's that last one that we at BabyFiont have been thinking about a lot lately.
When we all look back at these times, one of the things that we'll remember is the feeling of being connected to our loved ones during an uncertain situation. It's crazy. Everyone's talking about social distancing, but in many ways, people are drawing closer. This Mother's Day will be like no other. But it's ok. After all, through the fog of all these unusual days, the thing that has shined through the most is that nothing is more important than family.
Of course, we already knew that, but a situation like this brings new dimension to that knowledge. We've been thrown together with the people who mean the most to us – just mommy, daddy, and babies. Want parent-baby bonding time? Check. Fewer distractions? You got it. The result is that families have grown tighter. Four out of five parents believe their families have formed an even stronger bond during the lockdown, according to a survey of 2,000 British parents conducted by the UK's MumPoll.
How has it felt for you? There's no doubt it hasn't always been easy. Togetherness is a beautiful thing, but this kind of intense closeness does bring some serious challenges, especially for parents taking care of babies and toddlers with little or no assistance, and especially when there are so many real concerns all around. So, as Mother's Day approaches, let's commemorate what we've all been through and what we've achieved. Amazing job, Moms and Dads! We're doing this!
In a strange way, this may be the start of a new movement – an effort toward more connection. In the same British survey, about half the respondents reported reaching out to loved ones who are in isolation during the crisis. For many young parents, this is only natural. Researchers note that Millennials have long been known for prizing interpersonal connection. It's one of the generation's marked characteristics. Studies show that in addition to valuing experiences, art and design, Millennials prioritize friends and loved ones. Another key priority: taking good care of our planet, our families, our babies.
So, this mandatory timeout has allowed people to reassess or reconfirm those values and get back to basics. "Being forced to halt our busy lives and spend time together in quarantine has made many of us consider what's really important, like children, parents and the community they are a part of," says Siobhan Freegard, founder of ChannelMum.com, the web site that commissioned the British survey. "Despite the dreadful toll the pandemic is taking, people are becoming more thankful for the small pleasures in life. Coronavirus may well see us emerge a kinder community and more thankful for the things we enjoy in life."
For moms and dads, the most important of those things has never been clearer. Making sure our little families are safe, healthy and comfortable. So, this Mother's Day, let's honor the togetherness, pat ourselves on the back for making it this far, celebrate the things that mean the most to us and feel grateful for what we have.
Making Memories
Fun Activities for a Quarantine Mother's Day
The best part about spending Mother's Day at home? You don't need to worry about dressing up or taking the baby anywhere. Instead, stay comfy and enjoy a fun activity with your baby – and end up with something that will help you capture the day forever. Here are two simple suggestions:
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The Baby Print T-Shirt
Your baby will never be this size again. To remember this stage, grab a onesie and t-shirts from Mommy and Daddy's dressers. Pull out the paint and the rest is easy. Put down a sheet to limit the mess and carefully immortalize your baby's handprint and footprint on all the shirts. Add your own handprints and "2020." Instant souvenir t-shirts for all.
Your 2020 Time Capsule
families recycle old water bottles or glass jars into mini time capsules that can be easily stored in a closet, garage, or attic. Write the date of Mother’s Day 2020 on the time capsule and specify: it should not be opened until Mother’s Day 2040. Print your baby’s handprint on a piece of paper, fold it up, and place it inside like a message in a bottle. Also include a small note for your child—and your future self. The note doesn’t have to be fancy—just a few words describing your hopes for your baby’s childhood and for the next 20 years of parenting. You can also include a fun little item, like an old pacifier that your child will love (and you will, too) 20 years from now.
