Different Times - Common Needs

‘War Baby’, ‘Baby Boomers’, ‘Millenial Baby’, ‘Covid Baby’

Were you a ‘War Baby’? This description of a child born during a time of war was given as early as 1901. It has been given many times since during the last century and covers a range of circumstances into which a child has been born.

Were you a child born to a ‘Baby Boomer’ and thereby identified as someone born in the years following World War 2?

Perhaps you were born at the start of this century, a special time in history, and are called a’ Millennial’ to distinguish you from other groups.

Now we have the ‘Covid Babies’, not named because they have suffered from the Covid virus, though some may have done, but because they were born in the last two years.

Given a group name would suggest that it defines children by that name. Are we in danger of linking the child to the current situation and consequently forgetting that, whether babies are born in the midst of war or at the beginning of a century or in the midst of a pandemic, their needs are the same if they are to have the best start in life?

Babies born in the pandemic in this country may not have had the opportunity to be part of a wider community. Toddler groups, baby massage sessions or parents just meeting friends for coffee have been limited. How do we, as adults, make sure that the baby doesn’t suffer? What are the differences in the needs of the baby born in 1901 compared with the baby born in 2021? I would suggest that there isn’t a difference and that their needs are the same. All children, whenever they are born or whatever the circumstance of their birth, need consistent and loving care, secure in the knowledge that the adults who look after them will give them that care. Parents of newly - born children should be confident that their children’s needs will be met from the consistent love and care that they give them. Perhaps toddlers, when at last they are able to go to a group activity or visit relatives for the first time, might be more cautious relating to other children and adults; they might have been anyway. Remember every child is different. As the adults, who have loved and cherished them from birth, it is up to us to support them as they cope with the new experiences and challenges. Let us not label them as members of a group. They are unique individuals all with the common need for that consistent, loving care.