#pandemicparenting

A year ago I was working on a concertina book that told the experiences of pregnancy, labour and after during the pandemic in a montage format -called “Pandemic Parenthood”. In the narrative I share my own experiences through a labour in an abstract way, I was and still experience birth trauma around the labour. This week is also #birthtraumaawarenessweek @birth_trauma_association_uk I was speaking with a young mother yesterday who also experienced birth trauma which made me remember the importance of why I wanted to tell my own part of a story I was also struggling with. • So often during the pandemic I was often reminded that my little one will luckily have no memories of an uncertain time. - “however the parents do”. This is just to bring to light the awareness around mental health around these times, especially to those new parents or parents who have just welcomed a little one into the world. Even outside of a pandemic scenario parenthood can be hard. A reminder to be kind and supportive 🌸🌸🌸 • I kinda wished I approached this story to be more official outside of the project it was for, I can see the importance of us being able to have the space to share our stories 💜 I’m not an expert, but if anyone every wants a safe space to share their story, I am here to just listen 💙 • • #pandemicparenting #pandemicparenthood #newparents #birthtrauma #labour #birth #birthandbeyond #illustration #socialnarrative #experiences #wellbeing #health #newmums #mentalhealth #mindfullness #throwback #memories #sharingstories #bekind #supportive #montage #concertina #books #creativebookstagram #graphicnovels (at Wimbledon, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgO54cBIUkG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Parenting theater, arts and dance kids through a pandemic has been one of the most challenging things I've ever done. We've done private dance and acting classes in our home, we've done virtual music lessons, they've had to teach themselves new skills and we've had to change the way we think of the stage, the audience and the world. Our village has been amazing and supportive. My kids have learned so much about themselves and I've learned to be patient, check in with them and love them through this season. In the arts, your hear criticism and feedback... often. This week, my two bigs got positive news on how they'll be spending their summer. I'm so proud of them. I'm so proud of them for being ok with being outside the norm of what teens are interested in. I will support them and be their biggest cheerleader. Always! #Parenting #Love #Unconditional #PandemicParenting (at Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeHIu6VO4fU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I'm daydreaming of sunsets and palm trees. Praying that all of my peeps stay healthy. Playing this dodge Covid game for almost two years is exhausting. How are you all doing? #pandemic #pandemicparenting (at Juan Dolio, San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic) https://www.instagram.com/p/CY75cq_Mz63/?utm_medium=tumblr

As I am watching the Will Smith documentary about him adventuring through the deep depths of the world, it makes me think about this adventure I am undertaking.  He had something inside of him that told him that this is something that he needs to do.  When I first had this inkling to even start a blog was when I had my child in the beginning of the pandemic.  I mean beginning.  Where fear, heartache, wonder, hurt, and so forth were all present.  The only joy was having my baby.  Now, how do bioluminescene and my baby go hand in hand? They are both joy.  This roller coaster of being a new parent in the midst of a pandemic is hard, but when we get right down to it they are indeed beautiful.  Me and so many parents are navigating a new way through life.  One that many people have never experienced.  Only certain amounts of people have seen the glowing water that glows through fear.  Only certain amounts of people can see a parent glow through fear.  Brand new parents with unvaccinated babies just trying to survive in this thing we call Earth.  Trying to shine through the fear.  We are Bioluminescent parents!

New Year's Eve from our living room today and our kids have asked what's on the menu. Anyone else kind of tired of the grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning routine? Must we eat? Maybe we can start a new tradition of fasting into the new year. Stay safe, mi gente! #NewYear #PandemicParenting #NewYearsEve (at Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYJodXeAvwD/?utm_medium=tumblr

Why am I out here googling fun things to do with kids outside in CT, when it's freezing and there's no snow? I hope that hubby is working hard, because I think they have eaten all of yesterday's groceries by 10 a.m. Y'all there is a reason why I travel with these kids. All they do is eat at home. My house currently smells like a Food Network cooking show. I'm afraid to look and witness the mess in my kitchen. Send help! Is 32 degrees too cold for a walk on the beach and picnic? Asking for a friend. I'm the friend. Ahhhhh. Adulting is hard and responsible pandemic parenting during winter break is next level insane. I have heartburn and I think I'm loosing hair. How's your day? #sunset #pandemicparenting #closethefridge (at Stonington Fishermens Dock) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYEoENnA_lG/?utm_medium=tumblr

This was December 23, 2019! My Noche Buena table was set and we were ready for dinner and family time. We literally had no clue what was waiting for us in 2020. Here we are and it's December 23, 2021 and I'm working and playing Christmas music trying to motivate to even set the table. COVID19 fatigue is real. So many that I love have cancelled plans with family and are quarantined either with COVID or due to a close contact. I'm sick of this mess. Have I told you how much I dislike group projects? This is truly why I have trust issues. I'm really trying to close out work stuff, so that I can make myself pull off Noche Buena. Dominicans celebrate on December 24th, so folks I'm running out of time. We did get some amazingly positive news yesterday that I'll share after the holidays. How are you doing? #MerryChristmas #nochebuena #pandemicparenting #PandemicChristmas (at Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX1DMAJgwDJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

Mr 20mth sent home from daycare with a runny nose Both me and my husband work full time high pressured jobs. We also share parenting equally as much as possible. I’m worn out but he’s worn out too. But one day at a time we get through it. #workingDads #pandemicParenting