As any new parent can agree, having a newborn is not for the faint of heart. And never has that been more true than in the last couple of years. (Thanks, pandemic!) But while COVID-19 has certainly been an interesting wrinkle in the plans of virtually all new parents for the last two years, it has also undeniably bonded us in ways pre-pandemic parents might not fully understand.
So what exactly does it mean to have had a baby in the last year? Here’s a humorous look back at what most of us new parents experienced — and what we can take comfort in knowing is definitely a thing.
You know you had a baby in 2022 if…
- You have at least two bottles of hand sanitizer in every diaper bag…plus a few spares in your car, desk drawer, and purse.
- You’ve logged so much time researching symptoms of RSV, influenza, Covid, and HFM you’ve practically got a pediatric nursing license.
- Half the photos in your new moms’ text group are of the babies, and the other half are photos of Children’s Tylenol sightings in the wild.
- You own a smart crib—and it has made a WORLD of difference. (Hint: Especially if it’s ours! Read some reviews here.)
- You wear mom jeans unironically.
- You’ve met the majority of your mom friends online — and all of your texts on the group chat are links to your favorite relatable parenting TikToks.
- You’re holding off cutting those trendy curtain bangs until your shower schedule is a bit more reliable.
- Your baby knows how to call Grandma on FaceTime.
- You found an amazing online therapist … and you share all her advice with your new-parent friends.
- Your biggest purchase this year was a bulk order of formula.
- You have at least three “nice” sweatshirts.
- You’ve considered homeschooling one day…even though your child is years away from kindergarten.
- Your favorite self-care is bingeing The White Lotus with your partner after the baby goes to sleep.
- You honestly don’t know how parents survived without grocery drive-up pickups…and you hope you never have to.
- You are completely unsurprised by absolutely anything life can throw at you at this point.
