A survey of almost 2,400 parents in Ireland shows that 62 per cent are concerned about the long-term economic challenges to employment, with four in 10 of working families concerned about their income and job security – understandable as 43 per cent have seen a reduction in their household income as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In research conducted by Zahra Media, one in two working parents have seen salary reductions and one in four were temporarily laid off. Of those working and now juggling childcare, one in two say employers have been supportive of them building work around family needs, with only one in 10 being unsupportive of the new pressures they face.
The study shows that 61.5 per cent feel calmer and happier now that life has been forced to slow down, reporting that the past month has had a positive impact on their mental health – signifying a deep need for our busy culture to change. With anxiety levels generally heightened, some describe the experience as “up and down, with good days and bad”.
Zahra’s online parenting community Everymum described the time since the outbreak and social distancing took hold as ‘together, home, grateful, anxious and exhausting’. Most parents concerns centre around health risks to parents or elderly family members, their children’s health and the long-term problems Covid-19 will cause to the economy and jobs.
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid – In the shadow of each other we live”
– President Michael D Higgins
The survey showed that 46 per cent have availed of the Government income support and just eight per cent had applied for the mortgage payment break. Some 83 per cent of Irish families have adapted to life’s ‘new rhythm’, with 72 per cent keen to hang on to new habits like making more time for family, walks, exercising and quality time outside of work.
Mums have missed family adventures beyond 2km the most, followed by eating out and getting time alone. To keep well, parents spend some time in the garden and go on walks, talk to friends and family, notice and appreciate the small things in life, while 18 per cent have started supporting or volunteering with local charities since the outbreak.
There’s far more focus on cooking and meal-time, with the emotional cure sweet treats and baking. The essential food items in trolleys during lockdown are pasta, bread, eggs, potatoes, chicken, meat, fruit, veg, flour and milk. Almost 30 per cent have changed where they do most of their grocery shopping, with SuperValu the most popular retailer of choice.
PHOTO OF ALANNA, JOHN AND CAMILA BROWNE BY MANDY SARKIS
Watch spoken word artist Kevin Pigott’s lament to Irish pubs HERE
Here’s this week’s jokes…
CARTOON AIDAN DOWLING
Michael Healy-Rae says he’d have to seriously consider where he’d live if Eamon Ryan becomes Taoiseach. Mick, how does Greenland sound?
Some health experts now say that words like elderly, seniors, pensioners and OAPs shouldn’t be used by the media to describe older people. Who are they kiddin’?
Oregon leads the US in marital infidelity and clinical depression. What a sad state of affairs.
Before Nigella Lawson bakes a cake, she likes to cut her flour into lines.
Barry couldn’t get to a weekend seminar on taking digital breaks because of the 2km travel limit, so he downloaded the app.
If you’re addicted to meths, you’re either an alcoholic or a South African obsessed with numbers.
The GP told his patient not to eat anything fatty during lockdown. The patient asked did that rule out pies, chips and biscuits? The GP replied slowly: “Don’t just eat anything, fatty.”
Silicon? A scam that fools no one.
Hedgehogs – why can’t they just share the hedge.
Michael O’Leary appears to be getting enough exercise during lockdown, just pushing his luck.
Linda told her boyfriend Mark that she’s thinking of getting a Golden Retriever. “Feck that,” says Mark, “have you seen how many of their owners go blind?”
Jer tweeted to say we’re fighting two pandemics in Ireland right now – Covid-19 and stupidity. Sadly, there’ll never be a vaccine for the latter.
Until next Friday, in the words of Journey, don’t stop believin’ – MC
