Aug 11, 2020
What’s New With You
Working Parenting During a Pandemic
It is a funny rhythm. Nothing we were prepared for. Not in terms of the new and evolving limitations and unthinkable new vocabulary — zoom, wipes, masks, sanitizer — the lexicon of these Covid-days and certainly not in terms of the shocking birth of our “New Normal”. We are at once moving through long months, filled with challenging days which somehow turn into each other in cadence and routine — how many times have you thought it was Friday on Thursday?
For better or for worse we have become too familiar with the realities of this horrific 2020 experiment. Unlimited screen time is a go, hiding in closets to work is a thing, Zoom is our key connector and boundaries have evaporated. We adjust, show our resiliency and carry on. Still there is always something new to shock and rattle us. There is a feeling among parents that heads will spin, then explode then what? How will we get back to work? Where? When? And what about our kids?
As we end the summer that was meant to lead us back into a “normal” school year, it is obvious that we are not getting there, not anytime in the near future anyway. And the biggest weight is on working parents. To be more specific- working mothers.
Our communities, the ones who have supported us by sharing their experiences and insights have little to offer. This is not due to lack of passion or curiosity. The top thinkers in the working parent space have no more Covid-specific expertise than we do. Really, we are in the same spot. And when I consider who could offer some smarts on the topic I turn to women who are at the helm of organizations (like ours!) who are in the center of the storm.
So where to now? Now we ask you — what has been your Covid experience as a working mother? What defines your “New Normal” and what is keeping you up at night? What options are you considering? And where do you see this taking you, your career and your family?
We want to know. We want to be able to share your insights with employers who are trying to make sense of how they can do better — not only in their efforts of retaining you in the name of quality talent, but also for the sake of setting new standards that speak to their commitment to quality culture and holistic growth.
Help us. We’ve got a quick survey — cathartic for you, enlightening for us. Help us to tell the story of working parenting during this Pandemic.
We will share what we’ve learned soon. Thanks for answering the call and bringing your voice, your experiences to the table.
