Impact of Remote Work and Time Spent on Childcare on Perceived Children Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

Children’s wellbeing is dependent on predictable, safe, and structured environments that enable them to thrive. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these protective factors and exacerbated mental health and wellbeing challenges among children. Using a nationally administered survey, the purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of children’s wellbeing and child activities among Canadian families with children aged 0–14 after COVID-19 restrictions, and to determine if daily participations in social and educational activities as well as parents’ employment status (worked from home or lost jobs) and time spent on childcare impacted children’s wellbeing during the pandemic. Importantly, we found that daily participation in social and educational activities (OR = 0.49, p ≤ 0.01) was associated with parents worrying less about their children’s overall wellbeing. Compared to parents who all worked from home, those who worked outside the home (OR = 1.14, p ≤ 0.01) and those who mixed working from and outside the home (OR = 1.14, p ≤ 0.01) were more likely to express concerns about their children psychosocial wellbeing. Parents who spent 10 or more hours per week on childcare (OR = 1.19, p ≤ 0.01) were more likely to express concerns about their children psychosocial wellbeing. Compared to visible minorities, non-visible minorities (OR = 0.67, p ≤ 0.01) were 33% less likely to express concerns about their children’s psychosocial wellbeing. To optimally support Children’s wellbeing, we need to recognize the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic and work with communities, parents, and caregivers to promote equity in children’s wellbeing and build back better.