Finding the joy in being a parent

Being a parent can feel hard – but there is plenty of joy to be had too. We're here to support you in enjoying those simple, precious moments with your baby.   

It's important to recognise how you are feeling and know that having a hard day or feeling anxious or upset can be part of parenting.

If these feelings are too difficult to cope with alone, or if you feel like this a lot of the time, do speak to a health professional or someone you trust. You can also contact charities, like PANDAS, who support parents. Remember you are not alone.

Recognise the good days and be kind to yourself

But if you find you have good days and bad days, don’t forget to think about where you find the joy in parenting. Every child, parent and family is different and these moments of joy will come in unique ways for each of us.

When you venture onto social media, it might appear that everyone has a view about the ‘right’ way to be a parent. You might have moments when you feel others are judging what you do, or you find yourself judging and blaming yourself if things don’t go to plan. Try not to focus on this and be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend having a hard time.

The tools to enjoy your baby's journey

As you follow your baby’s journey through the app, you will find lots of ideas, activities and articles which will support you to find approaches that work for you and your family. Our goal is to give you the confidence to find and relish the joyful moments.

You might find your baby’s laughter brings you joy or watching them as they practise and master a new skill.

Sitting down at the end of the day and looking at the skills they have mastered might be another joyful moment, or simply going out for a walk with your baby and partner might be your idea of the perfect way to spend an hour of your time.

If you need some more support, you can find the details to contact PANDAS foundation here: https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/