We know because we’ve been having them too! Have a go at WhatsApp bingo below to see which chats you’ve had too…
1. “But how continuous should the cough BE?”
Parenthood in a pandemic: recording your child’s spluttering to send to your pals and get their verdict on whether this is a self-isolating cough or a non self-isolating cough.
Other popular current medical chats include ibuprofen and its safety in treating the coronavirus and which shops are still selling Calpol.
2. “Asda have got delivery slots, go go go”
Leap on, order a kilo of pasta, refresh your Ocado tab to see if you’re in the top one thousand yet and can book a delivery with them for three weeks time too. Then skip back to your Asda order, which is now at £250 to delete some things that you may have overdone it on slightly. And repeat.
Baby meals from the cupboard anyone?
3. “When this is over…”
Ah, the ‘when this is over’ fantasies. The mid-coronavirus/ covid-19 dreams. We and our mum friends will hug each other, we will dance at gigs (even though we haven’t done that for ten years). We will share cake with the same fork. Sometimes we won’t even wash our or our toddler's hands for quite as long as the duration of two rounds of happy birthday.
It’s going to be epic.
4. “Have you seen this meme/joke/viral video?”
Humour can definitely help at stressful times. And there are loads of funny memes and jokes doing the rounds right now. None of us want to make light of the situation but it's also important to laugh when we can. Toilet roll joke, anyone?
5. “Any tips on home-based activities?”
The craft boxes are bulging and the apps are downloaded. And we are… one and a half days into self-isolating. So that should be, er, fine… We’ve got some suggestions up our sleeves here.
6. “Will coronavirus affect my pregnancy?”
Pregnant women are likely to be worrying about the impact of coronavirus on pregnancy more than most, and whether it’s you or someone else there’s likely to be someone in your friendship group in this position. To look after your and your baby, advice is that pregnant women should keep antenatal appointments, follow the measures to avoid coronavirus particularly stringently and consider vaccination.
7. “How are your parents doing?”
Parents or in-laws are at the heart of our kids' lives and suddenly, the outbreak means we just can't see them in person anymore. It's hard and, at times, heart-breaking. Here’s how to still feel connected to them.
8. “What’s a good switch-off programme on Netflix?”
If there’s anything your mum friends do well, it’s a brilliant TV recommendation. After all, we are on the sofa feeding for hours at a time. We know Netflix. BBC iPlayer is also doing its bit, adding extra content/whole series as a response to many self-isolating for the coronavirus too, so we’re spoiled for choice. But always good to check in with friends to make sure you’re not missing anything good.
9. “Is it ok to be eating a, erm, tiny bit more cake than normal during the coronavirus?”
See also: stockpiling chocolate buttons. ‘Supporting our local business’ by adding a tub of ice-cream to our pizza delivery. Comfort eating the Nutella out of the jar as we watch the news. These are hard times, no-one’s judging.
10. “Have you seen/heard…on the news!?”
While we like to think that our mum chat always takes in world issues, if we’re honest it does mostly revolve around the exact colour of the contents of our baby’s nappies. But our world focus has shifted outwards recently. Which is fine. But do remember that sometimes escapism is good too, and too much news can be overwhelming.
Change the conversation if you want to and recommend mental health apps to ease people’s anxiety. Suggest a book you’ve recently loved that people might want to try. Send memes. Make jokes. And make plans, too, for when we come out of the other side of this and can cuddle each other again and laugh and sit in a coffee shop. And obsess again about those nappies. How oddly brilliant will that feel?
Further Information
Read the the NHS advice on what you should do when you’re self isolating to try and prevent passing on the virus to other people at home.
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
Take a look at the latest public health guidance for pregnant women and parents.
Interactive, engaging and social, our antenatal course is a great way for you to meet other local parents, and get essential unbiased information and knowledge about pregnancy, birth and early days with your baby.
