11 Moms and Dads Share How the Pandemic Has Changed Their Parenting Style

There’s no question that the pandemic has upended routines for families across the country. In adjusting to the “new normal,” many parents have taken on the roles of full-time caretaker and educator, often while continue to work their own jobs. As a result, many parenting styles, attitudes, and relationships have changed during quarantine. And, it turns out, not all the change has been bad.

In a study of more than 1,000 parents in the U.S. by Young Living, 60 percent of parents say that they’ve grown closer with their children during this time, due to the extra time they're spending together. Additionally, 92 percent of dads and 81 percent of mothers surveyed said the time in quarantine has changed their familial relationships. This closeness may make up for the fact that 72 percent of parents say they are more stressed on a daily basis than they were pre-COVID.

Some parents have worked through the stress by adjusting their approach to parenting. In an effort to balance working with teaching, 25 percent of parents saying they’ve been lenient about their children keeping up on schoolwork. Additionally, 73 percent of parents say they're using the television to help combat stress in the house.

For some families, however, the stress of a global pandemic can't be curbed by watching more TV. Parents who are considered essential workers or unable to work from home worry about the health risks that come with keeping their family’s finances in tact. Additionally, Black and brown families have been affected the most by the pandemic, with members of their communities dying and losing jobs at higher rates, according to CNN.

It's clear the pandemic has presented parents with challenges they never thought they'd have to face. And as parents from all walks of life try to survive this trying time, it's important to remember that no matter what your parenting style looks like now — you’re doing a great job.