Challenges and Strategies of Mothers with Pre-school and Primary School Children during the Coronavirus Epidemic

COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine have led to many problems for families. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to identify the challenges and strategies of mothers with pre-school and primary school children during the coronavirus epidemic. In order to do this phenomenological study and based on the data saturation principle, 21 mothers having pre-school and primary school children in Tehran in 2021 were interviewed and then, the data obtained from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using the Colaizzi method. In terms of challenges, 15 sub-themes were extracted, that were classified into 5 main themes, "children's behavioral problems", "children's educational concerns", disruption of life routines"٬ "mother's individual problems" and "health concerns". In the second domain, which dealt with Strategies, 10 sub-themes were obtained in the form of 3 main themes: "creating fun and entertainment for children", "Applying solutions in confronting with the child's behavioral and educational challenges", "other people cooperation with the mother in upbringing". The results showed that the coronavirus epidemic caused challenges for mothers with pre-school and primary school children, which affected some aspects of their lives. On the other hand, mothers have adopted various strategies in confronting new conditions. The results of this study may help to better understand the experiences of mothers of preschool and primary school children and also to reduce the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine on families by providing the necessary support.