The pandemic has been life-changing in many ways. And if you have been blessed with a pandemic baby, then your life will now be completely transformed.
While the birth of a child is a joyful event, as a new parent, there’s no doubt that you will have experienced a range of emotions. This can include feeling isolated, as there have been fewer chances to meet other parents during this time.
Read this article and be inspired by safe ways to meet other parents. These can be online or in person and will help you feel more connected to people who are going through similar experiences.
Online parenting forums
If you missed out on making new parent friends because baby groups were closed during the pandemic, it’s not too late!
Online parenting forums are a good place to start. You can chat with like-minded people about any aspect of parenting and childcare from the safety of your own home. In time, you may find that you develop connections and relationships with other forum users.
Virtual playdates
Why not organise a virtual playdate for your child? Arrange an activity that they can do in front of a screen, like a simple art or craft project. They will enjoy interacting with another child and you will get the chance to chat with the other parent at the same time.
Find inspiration with Playgroup at Home. It’s a community to give you ideas for play activities at and outside the home, perfect for anyone who’s had a baby during a pandemic.
Outdoor playdates
Outdoor playdates are the ideal way to socialise with other parents and children safely. That’s because being outside in well-ventilated locations lowers the risk of you catching or spreading infections.
You can also minimise the risk of infection by:
- Wearing a reusable or disposable face mask when you are outside the home
- Washing your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds each time
- Using hand sanitiser between washing your hands
- Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 if you haven’t done so already
- Staying at home if you have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher. Use a reliable thermometer to check your temperature.
And remember that the other positive of meeting other families outdoors is that sunshine and fresh air are natural mood boosters!
Baby and child activities
As the country starts to open up again, it will be easier to find baby and child activities in your area.
You could try:
- Baby yoga
- Music classes
- Swimming lessons
- Sensory play
Not only will classes offer your child a chance to develop, but they will also provide you with the perfect opportunity to meet other parents and make those connections.
Sign your child up for day care
You can enrol your child for day care at a centre or with a family day care provider. By doing this, they will start to develop social skills and benefit from the stimulation of a different environment.
It also means that you will get to know the parents of other children and can organise play dates in your free time. Having children of the same age means that you already have something in common!
For young children, you can choose from:
- Long day care provided at child care centres
- Family day care provided at the home of the caregiver
Both options have their own unique benefits. It’s worth getting personal recommendations to help you decide which is best for you and your child.
Exploring your community
Sometimes the company you need is just on your doorstep! By exploring your community, you can find other parents to share experiences with.
You could try joining:
- A place of worship such as a synagogue or church
- A community activity like a choir or walking group
- A local volunteer group that makes your community a better place
By joining in these activities, you are sure to find a wide cross-section of people. Some of these will be parents just like you and you will be able to connect with them on many levels.
It’s not too late to get out there!
Having a baby in the pandemic means you may have missed out on socialising with other parents. But it’s not too late to start getting out there and meeting others in the same position.
Whether you socialise online or in person, do it safely. Just following a few simple precautions will allow you to enjoy your time meeting other parents and socialising with them and their children.
Whether you’re searching for hand sanitiser or face masks for sale, reach out to us at FeverMates. We offer a whole range of health and wellbeing products designed to make getting out there safe and easy. We deliver essential items like sanitiser and face masks throughout Australia so you can simply get on with enjoying time with family and friends.