Another Mother’s Day will be celebrated today, amidst the pandemic for the second consecutive year.
This year, International Mother's Day will be celebrated on May 9. International Mother's Day 2021: Celebrated around the world as a day to honour mothers, and motherly bonds within the family, International Mother's Day is an important occasion that falls on the second Sunday of May every year
Although the acknowledgment of mothers’ contribution to our lives should not be confined to a specific day, there is no harm in making this day a little more special for them than the usual days.
While every mother’s experience will be different today, the mothers working on the frontline will devote this day to the welfare of people and put the needs of the public before their own children.
Talking to this correspondent, a few mothers, who are working on the frontline and trying to strike a balance, shared their experiences during this period of crisis.
Dr Sharmin Karim Ivy of National Institute of Mental Health, who has been serving the corona patients in this pandemic, couldn’t even meet her children for weeks during the first wave of coronavirus.
“Initially it was very difficult for me as my younger child is only three years old. Gradually I managed to cope with this difficult time. I tried to explain the situation to my children. They used to come running towards me earlier, right after I reached home, but now they understand the necessity of maintaining safe distance.”
She added that this pandemic has been really hard for the children as well since they have been confined inside the house for a long time. “When I am at home I try to spend quality time with them and engage them in different indoor activities,” said the Covid-19 survivor doctor.
Mahmuda Afroz Lucky (PPM), Additional Deputy Commissioner of police went through immense difficulties juggling her duties as a police officer and responsibilities of a mother. When the pandemic hit the country in March last year, her baby was only a year old.
“I had to fulfill my duties leaving my baby at home. I was really worried about coming in contact with her as I was exposed to the risk of Covid-19 due to the nature of my job. She used to cry a lot when I couldn’t take her in my arms immediately after reaching home. I took all the possible precautionary measures to ensure her safety. The entire situation was risky for me and the baby, but duty comes first”, said Mahmuda.
She added that her baby is two years old now and she is the one who reminds her to wear masks when I leave the house.
According to Rozina Islam, the senior reporter at Prothom Alo, her child had to face more challenges than herself. She described how her journey during this pandemic has been difficult as a mother, a woman, and a journalist.
“I couldn’t spend much time with her as I had to stay outside almost throughout the day for work and even after coming home, I had to stay busy. I was under enormous strain as I had to manage the household works, my office works and fulfill the responsibilities of a mother at the same time. Even when I worked from home, I couldn’t be there for my daughter despite being physically present, due to work pressure,” she said.