Welcoming the next generation

My first child was due on the 11th of May 2020. First grandchild on either side of the family. Due to the pandemic, I had to attend my prenatal appointments alone. I missed out on birthing classes and parenting classes. At one stage I didn’t even know if my husband would be allowed to join me in the delivery room.

My whole family had planned to come visit the newborn from interstate but with the border restrictions and the national lockdowns, those plans flew out the window.

My mother was so determined to be there for my son’s birth that she quit her job and drove by herself through three borders to make it to the ACT. She lived with us for 8 weeks and despite not being able to visit me in hospital, was the first relative to hold her grandson on either side of the family.

It was so joyful to watch her transition from mum to grandma.