A Mother’s Perspective on the Pandemic: Embracing the New Normal
Roselle R. Quiambao
With almost a total of eight months of community quarantine, the national COVID19 case count in our country is still increasing. Statisticians from the University of the Philippines seem to have a supernatural way of predicting and foreseeing the future using science. Although a vaccine has already been approved and prescribed by the World Health Organization, our country cannot expect and afford this yet and so there are none available for the Philippines until the next four years. This has forced us out of or comfort boxes and has brought about a “new normal” in the way we live our lives in the modern times. The pandemic has greatly affected each sector of the country, be it the economic, financial, agricultural, and even the political sectors. However, given the macro effects of the pandemic, let us try to see it through the lens of a mother and her family and see the micro-scale effects.
Most parts of the world were not ready for the pandemic. Governments became in shambles, a lot of front-liners were sacrificed, and the way of living has greatly changed which describes the new normal situation in the modern times. Looking at the societal and family-level, almost all parents were not ready for the effects of the pandemic. One aspect that has suffered is the education of their children. Other examples are financial problems, boredom, anxiety and mental stress, and the expected increased electric bills. This pandemic has really posed a big challenge to parents on how they must learn to cope up with the situation. A concrete example of this can be seen on how a parent handles the daily life in the new normal when it comes to their children.
There are some hidden benefits to this new normal. Although most parents such as myself are locked in a routine of waking up in the morning, going through the day and working, and worrying for ourselves and our family as the number of positive cases for CoVid-19 increases we must still be strong and open-minded for our children’s sake. We must be able to support them, be with them, and help them get through with their day. Let us take time to do small things for them such as getting them ready for their online classes and serving them food and water, ensuring they are always nourished and hydrated. We come to see that as we are struggling ourselves with the pandemic, children must also feel the same. Although they might not understand what the situation is, it is still a parent’s role to be with and be there for their children, especially during this time that remote classes are held to continue their education.
This new normal makes parents become more closer to their children by teaching or guiding them in their studies just like before. They are able to tap and reach out immediately at home. Parents are also able to monitor the food they eat unlike when they are at school. This situation also helps parents let to let their children learn to be responsible and resourceful in their studies. Parents can focus more on their children and give them the care and attention they need, especially in these trying times. There is also a bonding experience and a venue for interacting for the whole family since we are all quarantined at home and have nothing to do. The new normal also acts as a chance for children to appreciate what they already have, spend more time with the family, work hard and study well, and ultimately, to stay healthy.
The pandemic has greatly affected all of us in macro and micro scales. Nonetheless, it is important to take this time and use it wisely with our family. This is the new normal and we have to embrace it for now and accept it. We must choose to look at the bright side and hope for the best to come. It may even sound cliché, but everything will turn out alright in the end.
The author is Admin. Assistant
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III at Schools Division of Angeles City