This blog was created for my sociology class but I too am a single working mother that has been impacted by COVID-19. I share with you the struggles of other single working mothers, so that we as a “community” can learn how to support one another better during this pandemic.
Parenting during a Pandemic
These women you will read about are those in rural areas and inner-cities. They are single African American women with full-time careers.
The Every Day Struggles: In what major way has (COV-19) the pandemic effected you as a single mother?
- Jasmine Hyman, 31, Civilian Federal worker, single mother of 1 daughter from Charlotte , N.C. says,” between trying to find childcare for in-home schooling, lack of socializing for her daughter and increase cost and health concerning food has been a dilemma….Jasmine goes on to say, “Having to explain to your frustrated child why everything has changed and them not understanding the importantance of social distancing (getting the backlash of the frustration from social distancing)”
- Allison Howard, 36, City Worker, single mother of 2 boys from East New York, Brooklyn says,”Covid-19 affected me as a single mother due to the pressure of my children’s education. This was effected me mentally physically and emotionally, which caused me to have to take time off of work causing me financial issues. I feared me, my children and family contracting this deadly virus.”
- Christina Isom, 33, City Worker, widowed mother of 3 sons from Brooklyn, N.Y. says, “Covid-19 has affected me mentally emotionally and physically. This pandemic has been one of the most trying times of my life. Every time I thought I went through something worse there was no comparison to not knowing how to keep your children and loved ones safe, where your next meal was going to come from, or yet alone your next dollar. The pandemic has had a negative impact on my mental health but I also must say it has made me stronger mentally and more appreciative for the little things that we take for granted.”
As a single mother we deal with everyday adversities during this pandemic. I for one have seen the changes in our children and their attention span as well as lack of interest for school as a over all. I saw that my sons whet not motivated or interested in anything that had to do with school, their enthusiasm was gone. So I decided to see what all the fuss was about and re enrolled back to City Tech. I have to agree with my sons, although one is an introvert and the other an ambivert they both lack interpersonal relationships with their peers. As a ambivert myself this too has been an issue for me, while I do not mind time to and with myself, I enjoy new settings, new people and new activities. This pandemic has made it virtually impossible for people to comfortably socialize without feeling a sense of paranoia or concern for one’s health.
- Children lack social skills
- YouTube and Social Media has taken over any free time instead of outdoor activities
- Parents spend an increasingly more amount of money on food and activities
- Parents mental, physical and emotional well beings are being disrupted and challenged
Being a parent during a pandemic is a scary ordeal to have to cope with but this isn’t the worlds first pandemic and it won’t be the last. With new age technology we are hoping to keep pandemics to a minimum but there is no telling when another virus will decide to evolve and stop the world in its tracks. All we can do is prepare and protect ourselves and loved ones to the best of our abilities.
BMMA (BLACK MAMAS MATTER) is an organization that provides information and resources for African American Women and girls.
https://blackmamasmatter.org/resources/toolkits/
https://www.ers.usda.gov/covid-19/food-and-consumers/#spending
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/parenting/diaper-bank-coronavirus.html
Cov19 Mom 