Raising Children of the Pandemic: Family Care Adaptations in a Global Health Emergency

Abstract

This study examined how parents with young children adapted to the global health emergency of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) over time. A qualitative longitudinal descriptive study based on the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response Model (FAAR) was conducted with 16 parents of children. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. The results were overarching themes of family adaptation during COVID-19 include: (1) Powerlessness over Family Care—Raising Children of the Pandemic; (2) Family Bonds as Shared Coping during the Pandemic; and (3) Parental Meaning-Making during the Pandemic. The parents faced age-specific demands and powerlessness in caregiving during the pandemic, with concerns about child development and family health; these results emphasize the need for policies supporting resilience and well-being across diverse family needs.