Never before in recent history has there been such a profound shift in women’s roles as there has been since COVID hit. With schools shut down, daycares closed, huge job losses, fears about health, and forced work-from-home scenarios, mothers have been shouldering the growing weight of caring for their families during the lockdown. 700+ Canadian moms responded to our COVID State of Mom survey. If one of them was you, thank you for taking the time to share your life with us.
The results tell a story of women experiencing a year of unprecedented stress, pressure, anxiety, and work, with little relief.
Of the 700+ women who responded, only 7% describe their COVID state of mind as doing well. 78% say their biggest struggle is worrying about their families’ mental and physical health. One-third of us are worrying about how to pay the bills.
While fretting about finances, 75% of moms continue to hold jobs. Of those who still have paid work, 61% are now doing that job from home, while 72% of us also have kids attempting virtual learning.
Picture this. We’re trying to get our work done while overseeing our kids’ schooling, PLUS a bunch of housework and childcare thanks to the lockdown. 61% of us are cooking more than pre-COVID, with half of us finding mealtime more stressful than ever.
Of course, we’re stressed out! Where do we find extra hours in a day to get everything done?
It didn’t surprise us that 65% of moms say they have less time for themselves. 42% of us are having less sex since lockdown. We’re too exhausted from the increased workload and pressure, plus being cooped up with our partner for eight months, sex kinda sucks these days.
If not sex, what are we doing in our limited spare time?
Two-thirds of us are watching movies or TV while snacking and drinking; 67% of us are eating way more junk food than ever and almost half of us are consuming more alcohol. Talk about stress eating and drinking!
Going for walks, virtual workouts and running are all ways we’re squeezing in fitness during COVID. However, we doubt the amount of exercise we’re doing will counteract the additional pandemic weight gain we’re going to be stuck with when the lockdown is finally over.
You told us there have been a few silver linings thanks to the COVID lockdown. We’ve all been enjoying significantly more family time and bonding this year, even with our teenagers who usually hide out in their rooms. And hurray for fewer extracurriculars. Most of us are relieved to have a pared-down schedule.
That survey spoke volumes and we’re listening. The YMC team is here for you, to remind you that you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, chances are your neighbors, friends and extended family are probably going through something similar.
We will continue to have meaningful conversations to help you navigate these really tough times. Facebook will continue to be where we host live conversations to learn stuff, talk things through, and come together, and, of course, a place to make you laugh. We need more laughter these days.
We will bring you stories that will resonate with your COVD state of mind. Food, sex, fitness, happiness, health, work, education, time management – these are the areas we will be focusing on in 2021.
You’re always welcome to submit your own personal stories here and we’ll continue to bring you insights from women with expertise who we trust.
We promise to continue to make you laugh with stories, memes, and unfiltered confessions on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. We hope you’re connected with us on each of these platforms. We’re there to chat!
Also, feel free to share any feedback, positive or negative, directly with me.
Remember, we are stronger together.
And with that, we give a big middle finger goodbye to 2020 and raise a glass of whatever’s left on your counter to a way better 2021.
Erica Ehm
Publisher, YMC.ca (and exhausted mom of two)
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