Table 3.
Themes from open-ended questions
| Theme | Count | Percentage | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive elements | |||
| Spending more time together | 56 | 17.1 | We spend more time cuddling. |
| Strengthening parent-child bonds | 52 | 15.9 | |
| Learning more about each other | 27 | 8.2 | We have learned to be more patient with each other. |
| Parents more attuned to children’s schooling | 6 | 1.8 | |
| Child learning valuable life lessons | 4 | 1.2 | Less running to and from activities (and a husband who is usually out of town 75% of the time) means more family dinners and meaningful moments. |
| Child more independent and helpful | 7 | 2.1 | |
| Better routines at home | 3 | 0.9 | |
| Less running around | 3 | 0.9 | |
| TOTAL | 158 | 48.3 | |
| Negative elements | |||
| Balancing childcare/work | 19 | 5.8 | Discipline has become an issue because our child acts up more than prior to social distancing. |
| Stress, exhaustion, impatience | 35 | 10.7 | |
| Many challenges at once, like keeping a routine | 21 | 6.4 | |
| Concerns with child’s social and emotional wellbeing | 8 | 2.4 | I am sick of them. My spouse works and I am in charge 95% of the day. I am exhausted. |
| Bored, depressed, clingy children | 14 | 4.2 | |
| Conflicts due to overuse of screens | 5 | 1.5 | |
| Health concerns | 2 | 0.6 | I am working with COVID patients, so I have fears of bringing the virus to my children. |
| Other | 11 | 3.3 | |
| TOTAL | 115 | 35.1 | |
| Bittersweet TOTAL (positive and negative) | 28 | 8.5 | While the joy of spending time with my kids is greater, so is the frustration as I’m doing the majority of the childcare, homework help, household chores, all while working from home. |
| Other - No change | 9 | 2.7 | Stay at home and enjoy the time of being with your children! |
| Other – words of advice; random | 17 | 5.2 | |
| Other - TOTAL | 26 | 7.9 | |