Table 5.

Themes, explanations and submission examples for ‘influence on future parenting/parenting’, in order of frequency

Theme	Examples of submissions assigned to each theme
Hygiene and restrictions of socialising	Worries directly related to virus: restricting own and child's social interactions; being more hygienic; and feeling over-protective, worried about health and ‘germophobic’
Pregnant group	‘Unlikely to allow people to touch my new-born.’
Parent group	‘It will make me more paranoid of others holding my baby. I am also more of a germaphobe.’
Independent and confident parenting	Spending more time with family; being more creative with activities at home; feeling more confident parenting independently as a result of having less support with child care, more resilient and more attentive to children's needs
Pregnant group	‘Having to trust my instincts in the absence of additional support, so think it will make me more confident and resilient.’
Parent group	‘I think it has made me feel more capable. I've had to learn to trust my own judgement and instincts.’
Not taking things for granted	Feeling more appreciative, socialising and going out more in the future
Pregnant group	‘It has really shown me not to take things for granted whereas before I may have not met up with family enough, etc. We will be making a great point to ensure that all family connections are high, and this is passed to baby.’
Parent group	‘I'll never take for granted having help with the baby from family again.’
Decrease in ability to parent	Feeling less confident as a parent and physically and mentally exhausted as a result of decreased support
Pregnant group	‘Scared to go out. Panic attacks.’
Parent group	‘I'm terrified to bring baby anywhere. I feel like a terrible parent.’
Worries about impact on mental health and well-being	Worries indirectly related to virus: worried about postnatal depression and mental health, impact of social isolation on child, and of passing own stress on to child
Pregnant group	‘I think I'll be quite anxious when the baby is born. My stress does impact on my parenting and I feel less patient.’
Parent group	‘I am a more anxious parent so may be more overprotective.’
Slowing down	Feeling less pressured to do things, becoming more reflective and patient
Pregnant group	‘Potentially move house and to a slower pace of life more family time orientated instead of making money to do expensive holidays to get that time.’
Parent group	‘It has helped me slow down and bond with my children.’