One evening in late August, I was discussing pandemic parenting and school opening plans with another mom from a safe distance at a pool in Denver. As we chatted, I thought to myself that she seemed like the kind of mother who had it all together—cheery, beautiful, chic in her Tory Burch one-piece, and seemingly unfazed by whining toddlers or the uncertainty of living and mothering in the time of COVID-19. As she turned to leave, she reached for the items she'd nearly left behind: "Can't forget the two most important things during the pandemic: wine and a mask," she said with a laugh.
Now more and more women seem to agree. Wine has long been a staple in many moms' parenting tool kits, but women are leaning on it more than ever this year. "All of a sudden, we're full-time housekeepers, teachers, and short-order cooks as well as parents. And we're also the constant bearers of bad news to our kids: First, spring break is canceled; then school, then playdates," says a 40-year-old mom in Denver. "At a time when there's not much to look forward to, wine is [a light] at the end of the day."
Isolation, uncertainty, overwhelming domestic duties, health concerns, and financial worries have created the perfect storm for a mental health crisis. By late June, 40 percent of American adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And women have been disproportionately impacted.
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