Clare Cloyd, Marketing & PR Manager, and her husband Noah Gagner, Professor of Clinical Psychology, at home with their newborn son.
"I became a mom during The Pandemic. So, first and foremost, I have taken on a very fulfilling and challenging new role in life. Our son was born just a couple weeks before the official stay at home order took place. As a result of the new motherhood/pandemic combo, I quickly challenged myself to adopt a 'don't sweat the small stuff' philosophy in order to get through each day.
Being on maternity leave from my job during this time has been challenging. I wish I could be more involved and supportive to my colleagues. As a communications professional, sitting on the sidelines during a global pandemic feels really unnatural.Â
A large portion of my work involves providing accurate public information, and now more than ever I wish I could be helping ensure people are well informed."
"My worries involve the natural fears that a new parent has related to the health and well-being of their child; they have definitely been thrown into high-gear given the circumstance."
"Simplicity. Empathy. A clearer understanding of what is truly important in life, tangible and not. These are what I hope comes out of this time. And, a reminder to try and find the joy in each day.
Looking back, I am so happy we pulled the trigger on that middle-of-winter-in-Minnesota outing to grab a beer and cheeseburger with a newborn, never knowing then that it would become such a defining memory in our lives."