These working moms share how they managed parenting through the pandemic

In the past weeks, the nation has stood together in unity to show our regard for healthcare workers and those occupied with other essential services. 

Be that as it may, one person has been passed up.

This person stays by us through various challenges and goes about as a soldier to shield us against grievances whenever possible.

They are our own one of a kind Superwoman, also known as 'Mothers'.

Mothers, the all-rounders — equipped to deal with every situation, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

These individuals have intentionally sacrificed their wellbeing and security to guarantee that we don't experience the ill effects of any sickness.

Along with every South African, mothers all around have been confined in their homes for the past weeks. 

Here, four mothers who are participants of the SAB Foundation Tholoana Programme, document the joys of spending time with their children, information they wished they knew before lockdown, and an uncertain future in a post Covid-19 world.

Joy in the juggle

Entrepreneur Zandile Sifika, of Sifika business for accountants, is a doting mother of 3, and shares how she juggles it all. “I have two toddlers and an 11-month-old. I home-school with my husband.”

“We own and stay on a farm with dogs, chicks and ducks, which the children enjoy caring for. We also started planting crops since the lockdown and try to do both fun and recreational activities, namely schoolwork; help feed their chickens, ducks and baby chicks; wash the dogs; take walks at our backyard beach,” says Zandile. 

Consistent schedule 

Like Zandile, devoted mother to a one-year old, Nabilah Diedericks, shares the same sentiments.

Nabilah is the founder and swim instructor of Finz Aquatic– a Cape Town-based swim school that specialises in disability therapy.

Raising a toddler has been testing for Nabilah but she made it work for her and her family. “With our normal set-routines changed due to the pandemic, we as parents had to adjust our times according to our kids. It was difficult at first but after two-weeks we grew accustomed to the changes."  

“We’re all having to be more creative - in activities for our children,” says Nabilah, as children are busy bees who demand a schedule and a consistent routine to keep busy and occupied. 

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On educational exercises they have been practising, Qhawekazi styles collection founder and mother Samukelisiwe Khanyile, shares how she has been keeping her son busy with school, and getting assistance from DSTV’s educational channels. 

“My son’s school sent him home with worksheets and the teacher created a WhatsApp group where additional work is done. He also watches grade 4 class on channel 317,” says Samukelisiwe. 

She jokingly shares how she has learnt a few things about her son during the lockdown.

“He’s stubborn and likes excuses, we normally ask him to do 3 activities a day, with breaks in between. He’s dedicated to watching the TV channel, but we’re lucky if 2 activities are done with all the excuses which I’m sure the teacher never gets,” she laughs.  

New discoveries

Fashion designer and entrepreneur Duduzile Ngubane shares what she discovered about her children during this time. 

“I've learnt that my children are quite independent, very analytical of the situation and most of all, they know more then what we think they know interns of our way of life.” 

“I discovered that my 10-year-old daughter is very passionate about environment such that during lockdown she has started her small gardening project using plastic bags to plant her crops and even considers being an environmentalist when she grows up,” says Duduzile. Duduzile is the owner and founder of Du Confidence Designs. 

Make or break

For all the parents, there are a few things they wish they knew before the lockdown.

While everyone was stocking up on toilet paper or soap, many parents wished they had taken a minute to think of the "non-essentials" that could make or break families while locked-up with children.

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“All things to do in learning through play. Kids love nature, so a bit of the mud and muck into the picture would have been great. Nature is fun teach and show and develop children’s sensors while the shops were open before lockdown, I wish I went to get pot plants and buds to plant with my little one,” says Nabilah. 

For Samukelisiwe “Having a course on home-schooling children would have been useful,” she says.  

While we all appreciate the government and those who go beyond call of duty to ensure the well-being of the country; The sacrifices of mothers and efforts often go unnoticed. 

Yes, they may not be of service to millions of people or be mentioned in the media for their unrewarded service, but they are the ones holding it together inside the homes of many families across South Africa.

Submitted to Parent24 by fetola.co.za