Silver linings of new parenthood during a pandemic



Although exhausting, a new baby can bring much-needed joy

Although exhausting, a new baby can bring much-needed joy


Once I ventured outside and around other people for significant periods of time in the late spring and early summer of the Covid-19 pandemic, I often saw new parents. These young couples had usually protected their infants behind see-through plastic coverings over strollers, or underneath blankets draped over Baby Bjorns or slings. Parents with toddlers in parks and outdoor spaces even attempted to keep tiny kids masked, with varying degrees of success.

My heart went out to all of them. Although my “new parent” days were two decades ago, I vividly remember the intensity, the worry, and the heightened sense of all the potential danger of the world, danger you generally don’t process if you’re not responsible for a baby. These newbies have to deal with all of that, now combined with the stress of Covid-19 protocols, the ever-evolving precaution list, the uncertainty, and the judging eye of fellow parents who might not share certain opinions about what is and is not safe. I honestly cannot imagine doing all of that – the usual worries and the pandemic worries -at the same time.

READ MORE: New moms making friends with other new moms

Yet writer and PR professional Katy Fabrie is doing just that, and she not only makes it sound doable, but occasionally enjoyable. In her PopSugar essay, Fabrie doesn’t shy away from detailing a meltdown upon realizing she can’t show her new daughter her favorite bakery – an outburst due, she says, to postpartum hormones – and she says, yes, sleep deprivation is real, and hard, especially when trying to maintain social distancing ordinances. But, according to her: “I think I was able to appreciate the little joys because the early days were so hard. The simple moments of levity were crucial reprieves from the drumbeat of responsibility.”

For Fabrie and her husband, the deprivation of the pandemic has given a lot of perspective: now, just getting a stroller opened and out the door between feeding times is a triumph; a family walk becomes an event. She even anticipates looking back on the Covid-19 pandemic with nostalgia.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Understanding 'Warning Strokes'

    What to expect if you experience stroke symptoms, even if they disappear

    Diagnosing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “warning stroke,” can be challenging because symptoms often disappear within an hour. However, it’s important to seek emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke. read more »
  • Managing your family's year-round health

    Protect everyone from infectious diseases

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines help create protective antibodies that fight off infections. read more »
  • What to know about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life

    Each year, an estimated 500-1,000 people nationwide are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While there’s currently no cure, treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life. read more »
  • Bring back family bonding this fall

    3 ways to free up busy schedules to spend time with loved ones

    Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks. read more »
  • Top tips for a more organized kitchen

    Save time and money

    Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends, and more time for personal pursuits. read more »
  • 6 small, kind gestures to make a big impact each day

    Performing acts of kindness improves individual well-being

    Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful text message to a stranger holding the bus for someone running late or a person paying for someone else’s coffee, acts of kindness happen every day. read more »
  • Keeping babies safe

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies include safe sleeping habits, product recalls, baby proofing & car safety read more »
  • Tips to get tour student prepped for college entrance exams

    Help get your teen ready

    Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. read more »
  • More than two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this season

    CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® encourage consumers to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on routine vaccinations

    CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is prepared to meet patients' vaccination and other preventive health care needs as flu season approaches. CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® are offering the annual flu vaccine at locations nationwide. CVS Pharmacy is also offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which has been approved for adults ages 60 and up. read more »
  • 10 phrases to say to children every day

    Instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem

    As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s character, confidence, and overall development. Every interaction is an opportunity to instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem. read more »