ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic may not remember what was affecting their world, but their parents will never forget.
Cora Giblin, 27, is the mother of a pandemic baby.
"My daughter just turned 17 months yesterday," said Giblin.
I met Giblin at the Lab Bakery and Coffee Bar in Orange Park. The part time barista talked about being the parent of a pandemic baby.
"I had been furlough from my company the end of April, I had her in June at the height of everything was shut down," she said.
At the time hospital visitations were very restrictive. Only her husband was allowed in the room.
She said the isolation was too much.
"We could not leave our room," Giblin remembered. "We could not leave the floor. We could not come or go."
Researchers have been following the development of children born during the pandemic. They conclude that most pandemic babies will have had an opportunity to thrive but have concerns about potential challenges.
Giblin is making sure her daughter develop social skills and whatever she needs to help her development.
"I am getting that more one on one with here and I am sending her to day care for that socialization," said Giblin. "It is also hard in 2021 because of social media."
If adjusting to having a baby during the pandemic wasn't enough of a challenge, Giblin discovered the political rancor that has permeated our culture had now reached parent support social media platforms.
She said these are the platforms that have long been the village for new parents seeking guidance and help.
"You see people asked basic questions and get storm ridden," Giblin said. "They get shamed if you can't breast feed you are an awful mom."
Even the battle over to vaccinate or not to vaccinated has become a part of the narrative.
"It is a huge thing and I try to stay away from it," Giblin said. "I believe everyone has their own opinion. I believe in science I vaccine from day one."
She was also stunned by the economics, including the cost of diapers and forumula.
"It is crazy," Giblin explained. "Wipes are expensive. Everything when it comes down to a baby is price gouging."
Giblin's husband is working full time, and she has a part time job. She said right now there are no plans for a second child, but if it happens, it happens.
"The future is so uncertain it feels like after we have had the shutdown, COVID and everything," said Giblin.
She believes the solution to the stresses brought on by the pandemic lie with corporate America and the government
"We don't help each other. We don't worry about the person that can't afford the diapers, or the mom that is working 40 hours a week and can't afford the basic necessities," said Giblin.
The voice of the mom of a pandemic baby hoping her daughter will grow up in a world that is healthier and kinder than 2021.
"It is hard out there but it does get better when your baby smiles and when they start giving you kisses," she said.