Parenting comes with a range of emotions and feelings, it is so unique for each of us.
Good support, reassurance, talking, reaching out and honesty can make a huge difference to how we feel and how we cope – sometimes there are solutions, sometimes there are not.
- pride
- uncertainty
- confidence
- anxiety
- depression
- unmotivated
- fiesty
- empowered
- afraid
- isolated
- supported
- vulnerable
- strong
- despair
- selfless
- frustration
- love
- laughter
- lack of confidence
- overwhelming love
- able
- low mood
- unable
- anger
- calm
- fulfilled
- lost
- grief
- happiness
- love
- family
- selfish
- alone
- confused
- emotional
- love
- organised
- challenged
- in control
- responsible
- heartache
- out of control
- tense
- relaxed
- whole
- complete
- love
- overwhelmed
- sad
- afraid
- joy
- instinctive
- envious
- brave
- connected
- disconnected
- guilt
- love
- content
- struggling
- included
- satisfied
- ok
- excluded
- trapped
- grown-up
- tired
- failure
- energised
- fine
- focused
- loved
- clouded
- helpless
- powerful
- unhappy
- ignored
- hope
The intensity and severity of these feelings will be different for every parent. For some, the negatives are fleeting but for others they are consuming and more support may be needed, although talking it through and getting a boost is always worthwhile.
A lot goes unsaid, we often keep our struggles close for fear of looking like we can’t parent or cope with our responsibilities. Maybe we should speak out more to share our emotional highs and lows, to be more honest, to reassure other parents and to encourage more openness about the reality of it all.
Janine, a mum of three