Becoming a Dad in a Pandemic: Chris’s Story

When isolation and uncertainty made new parenthood even harder, support from Healthy Families Massachusetts helped Chris build confidence, connection, and a strong bond with his daughter.

Chris Mallet became a father the day after Massachusetts declared a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A young, first-time, single dad, Chris was nervous enough about raising a child alone but now he was faced with bringing a baby home in isolation. He wasn’t allowed in the delivery room when his daughter, Mahalia, was born, but he turned to the nurses for advice and they connected him with Healthy Families Massachusetts. 

Chris shared that every week, his home visitor asked him to describe his daughter in three words and that this simple exercise taught him the importance of observation and understanding. He says it forced him to take a pause and really see her for who she is – her range of emotions, what helps her clam down when she’s upset, how best to love and support her through every stage of life. He says this practice has helped him become more attuned to her needs and build a stronger bond with her.   

Chris lives in West Yarmouth with his daughter.  

About the 30 for 30 Fatherhood Series 

This story is part of 30 Stories for 30 Years, marking 30 years of the Children’s Trust Fatherhood Initiative. The series highlights how professionals and organizations across Massachusetts support father involvement, healthy co-parenting, inclusivity, and using past experiences to create stronger parenting partnerships as part of upstream prevention.