The Impact of Becoming a Parent

With the birth of a baby comes a whole new world for the parent; a world of advice, judgement, opinion, exhaustion, anxiety, joy. Becoming a new parent has an impact on every aspect of your life, in ways that you probably couldn’t have anticipated before. Of course, you knew that this little person was going to need feeding, changing, bathing and putting to sleep. Of course, you knew that the house was going to become a little fuller and untidier. Of course, you knew that it was going to be challenging at times.

But nothing can prepare you for the reality.

The Demands of Caring for a Newborn

Looking after a newborn baby is relentless; some days you will wonder what you have done all day, yet you haven’t had time to shower, let alone eat a hot meal. For the birthing parent, there is also the physical, mental and emotional impact of the birth itself, and the recovery afterwards, which is often overlooked by well-meaning friends and family who focus on the new arrival and their wellbeing.

The Broader Impact of Parenthood

However, having a baby is no small thing. It changes everything; your body, your sense of who you are, your perspective on the world and you must navigate this all whilst also caring for a small person who is helpless in the world without you. That is a lot of pressure for anyone, and this is not even considering the journey you may have been on to become pregnant in the first place, any previous miscarriages or infant loss, the birth itself, your own experience of being parented or your physical and mental health. Whilst for some parents, the baby is much longed-for and very welcome, in other circumstances, a baby can make an already fragile situation even harder, whether that be due to relationship issues, finances, health or trauma.

Emotional Struggles and Recovery

The nature of parenting often means that the mental and emotional struggles it brings must be pushed aside in favour of caring for the baby and other children in the family. Perhaps the struggles become easier with time, as you adapt to your new life, reach out for support from family, or meet other parents who can share in what you are going through. Sometimes though, the emotional wounds from becoming a parent are lingering. They may not be obvious in day-to-day life, but you may catch yourself becoming tearful, or irritable. Maybe you have lost touch with friends or hobbies that you used to enjoy and have become more withdrawn and isolated. Becoming a parent sometimes shines new light on the way you were parented yourself, which can open scars that you thought were healed.

It's Never Too Late to Reflect

That newborn baby may be a mischievous toddler, a grumpy teen, or parent themselves, but no matter how long ago it may seem, it is never too late to explore the impact that becoming a parent had on you.