Pandemic Motherhood Diary: Online Community

I woke up one morning with droopy eyes, thanks to the three hours of sleep that I barely got. I was so tired that I could cry. When my baby has a restless night, so do I. Regardless, the day had to go on, routines and all. I received a text from a friend who resides in Florida. She was just checking on me. A few texts led to her having lunch delivered to my door for my toddler and me. I was flooded with gratitude because that meant one less thing I had to do for the day. This kindness reminded me of how important virtual connections have become since the pandemic began.

I have been lucky to know some amazing local moms who have children around the same age as mine. However, we all shared the same concerns and fears when the pandemic started. We didn’t know how cautious we needed to be and decided that it was best to avoid risking the safety of our kids as much as possible. That meant a rain check on the possibilities of playdates and brunch dates. Although many have resumed such activities, I unintentionally built virtual relationships with moms from different parts of the country.

I’ve noticed that my willingness to be transparent about some of my parenting highs and lows via social media has invited online community. Other moms relate to certain aspects of my journey, or they enjoy the lighthearted posts about my sons. Whatever the specific reasons, some women have reached out to me personally to ask how I’m doing. Others have disclosed how parenting has been for them and have offered to be of service in any way that they can be. It’s been good to find encouragement beyond the post-it notes on my walls that remind me to keep it together. It’s been even better and more surprising to find support beyond people within a few miles of me.

The pandemic has robbed many of us of necessary connections. It is the link that has kept so many from spiraling, feeling intense loneliness, or being overwhelmed. I entered the pandemic with a three-month-old, and now I have a toddler and a baby. I regularly experience an assortment of emotions and anxiety. Although I have my husband, who shares the load, sometimes the bough breaks before he comes home from work.

Life has only managed to get a little busier. Between working remotely and juggling my family’s needs, sometimes I need a mental pause. Having a community of moms to remind me to do just that has been an unexpected but welcome silver lining during this unpredictable time.

Melissa Menny is an author with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. She is a poet and a writer in all aspects. When she is not working, she enjoys painting, music, and spending time with her husband and two sons.