*3.4. The Blessings of Learning*

The COVID-19 pandemic not only provided an opportunity for intimate family bonding and freedom from the social pressures of new parenthood, but it also provided time for many participants to learn. Their learning was focused on their new baby as well as learning about themselves as new parents. For example, one participant believed that they [parents] "had this time to support each other and see each other grow as parents". This time was valued as a time in which they could come to understand their new identities as parents - a time for her and her partner to grow together in these new roles and identities. Other participants also noted similar experiences, as illustrated in the quote below:

We were able to spend so much time alone as a family, and constantly being with our new baby has made us able to learn so much about her and enjoy spending our time with her without any distractions.

The time without distractions was seen as a benefit of being a new family. For participants, isolation during COVID-19 gave their families the opportunity to learn about their new baby and each other. It was a time for enjoyment and coming to know and understand their baby without the interference of others.
