How Frontliner Moms Get by Every day and How We Can Help

Each of us is struggling in this pandemic. Some are battling poor mental health, difficulties in online classes, work-from-home demands, family issues, or others. But the medical frontliners, especially the moms, could have it the worst. 

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Your hardships aren't invalidated, of course. Each of us goes through things differently, but the fact that frontliners work the hardest during this time is undeniable. They've been sacrificing the comforts of home for months now. Their well-being is also affected due to continuously rising cases and deaths.

Frontliners themselves come up with ways to uplift each other and their patients. Various organizations in different countries also make donations to them or visit them personally to increase their morale.

But while these actions are comforting to frontliners, they may only offer short-term joy. The things that'll benefit them more are increased support from their employers, a compassionate government, and cooperative citizens.

That said, let's see what can be done for frontliners to receive those urgent needs.

Support From Employers

Since classes are already beginning, one of the most urgent needs of frontliner moms is child care support. What employers can do is to reach out to public officials and ask for plans on long-term child care support.

Even if schools are only held virtually, young children will still need the guidance of their parents. They're too young to manage on their own yet. To address this, health care employers, together with appropriate organizations, can collaborate with the local government that can then partner with a local school district to open some classrooms for affected children, for example. And as it goes without saying, the schools should also develop plans to prevent viral infections.

Employers should also get feedback from their workers. They can only find out their exact needs by hearing it from them. A data collection survey software can help them do this, provided that they follow up each cited issue with action.

Allowing flexible work schedules is also immensely helpful, particularly to cleaners, security officers, and some nurses. Also, employers and employees must strive to achieve better work-life harmony. The higher-ups should understand the challenges faced by their frontliners better, then optimize work processes and improve their welfare.

And though giving excessive workloads tends to be inevitable these days, employers still have to be mindful about it. They must respect their frontliners' rest hours and day-offs.

How Frontliner Moms are Getting By

Every frontliner mother faces a different challenge. Some are lucky to be helped by their spouses in caring for their kids. Others have to sacrifice even more sleep to nurse their infant child.

But a struggle that all moms can relate to is the "mom guilt." They tend to feel remorseful while they're at work and their kids are staying at home. But according to physician moms, vigilance and preparation are essential to their jobs of being a mother and frontliner. Dr. Courtney Howard, a Canadian emergency doctor, is always ready to take action, even while facing a sense of impending doom.

It's saddening that a cure to COVID-19 is yet to be administered, so the least we can do while waiting for it is to cooperate with the health protocols and heed the plea of frontliners. The faster we flatten the curve, the sooner the moms can be reunited with their children. And of course, employers should regularly check in with their employees and immediately address their concerns.