| What if, as Caitlin Gibson wrote in this sweet, poignant piece, all the things a toddler had started to know and discover suddenly disappeared? The grocery store. Friends. Grandparents' hugs. What happens to a toddler's memory during a pandemic? The question can't be fully answered, of course, because, well, it's Baby's First Pandemic (has anyone made those onesies yet?). But the landscape here is kind of astonishing. Just think about what it's been like for us adults. I already forget what it feels like to pull into the garage at work and say hello to the men who work there, to have a colleague next to me, snacking out of the same bag (so much snacking). Now, our children need a tour guide of sorts as we break back into the world. Older children may be anxious, others – especially the younger ones – may just be curious. "The emotional burden is really on the parents to carry them through the transition and through all the changes that come after," Gibson is told. And she knows. Just read on to hear how her daughter's memories have changed over these months. The layers to this pandemic just keep unfolding, as they will for the rest of our lives, of our children's lives. |
Parenting in a Pandemic These are challenging times for any parent to navigate. Let On Parenting help. Below you'll find a selection of expert advice and personal stories for all types of parents. To keep up with The Post's best advice for living through a lockdown, including recipes to make, shows to watch, the best socializing apps, resources for parents, guidance for managing anxiety and tips for canceled trips, bookmark Your Life at Home. And the latest on school reopenings can be found on The Post's Education page. For vaccinated parents with unvaccinated kids | Vaccinated adults may have more freedom. But for kids, 'the rules haven't changed.' For parents dealing with virtual school | Strategies to improve distance learning | Tips for creating a good learning environment at home | How parents can avoid anxiety around distance learning For parents dealing with in-person school | How to help children adjust to masks, according to experts and parents | As kids move from quarantine to school, separation anxiety may follow. Here's how to help. For parents working from home | 6 strategies for parents struggling with work-from-home interruptions For parents looking ahead to post-pandemic life | The pandemic changed everything about family
life. These are the parts parents want to keep. |
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