A lasting legacy – the impact of COVID-19 on children and parents

More than a quarter of parents recently surveyed by The Australian Childhood Foundation feel that they are failing their children, and more than a third said they had lost confidence in their parenting ability, showcasing the “immediate and chronic fallout” of negative effects on the mental health and wellbeing of children and parents  in the wake of COVID-19. 

The research-based online survey shows that the problems outlined above have emerged at exactly the time when parents noticed that their children needed more reassurance and were experiencing signs of heightened stress such as eating and sleeping disturbances.

A third of respondents said they felt isolated and left without adequate support, and almost 40 per cent were worried that their own stress and mental health was adversely affecting the wellbeing of their children.

Despite the sobering findings, the survey also revealed that the majority of parents emerged from the first experience of lockdown with an increased appreciation for their family and time with their children, finding that they were now enjoying extra time together, facing unique challenges with love and using the comfort of each other to face adversity.

Nearly half of those surveyed (48 per cent) believed that the experiences of COVID-19 will lead them to change their long term approach to parenting and family life, and eight out of ten parents believed that COVID-19 would result in the experience of a stronger and more cohesive sense of family in the future.

To read the report in full, please see here.