Table 2.
Overarching themes and subthemes
| Overarching theme | Subtheme | Verbatim examples |
|---|---|---|
| We need to stay healthy | A constant health threat | Our son has been at the intensive care multiple times due to airway infections. Therefore, for us, it was a big fear that he would get COVID‐19 because he can get very sick from every flue with a higher infection risk than a regular child. This made us very fearful. (Diona) |
| Struggling with the balance of infection risk and a manageable family life | We are very strictly following the safety measures because our number one priority is that our son cannot get sick. Therefore, we only go shopping by ourselves and if we ride our bikes, we only ride them towards nature where you will not encounter other people and if you encounter them, you can pass them by with a lot of space in between. (Amy) | |
| We made it work | My child with an intellectual disability should have a good day | I always try to find activities that give my daughter joy but also enable her to give meaning. Last week we painted cards that I can send to old, lonely people. (Bernadette) |
| We are in this together | If I have to teach my class I cannot watch my daughter. My family always discuss with each other who can take over and support her. This way, we make this work together. (Christine) | |
| Space to breathe | We live in a nice place. We have a front yard where we have social contact with the neighbours and a lovely backyard. Inside the house, we have enough space to sit together but also go our separate ways. (Bernadette) | |
| My child's and family's place in the world | Is my child worth saving? | My son is extra vulnerable to pneumonia so I was really scared he would get infected. I heard all these stories that people with an intellectual disability where not allowed into hospitals. Therefore I thought: This will not happen to me, if my child cannot go to the hospital, I will do anything to prevent him from getting sick. (Eveline) |
| Feeling the same but different | People around me start to go out and do nice things again. I am very strict in this and even though my daughter understands the situation, I know she does not like it. Behind our house is a soccer field where more and more kids are playing again. My daughter cannot go there and play with the others. (Eveline) | |
| Fewer expectations | Because I have more peace, I have even more peace in my household because I am no longer obliged to do things for the outside. I can the things that I find important and have peace of mind. (Diona) |