The Duchess of Cambridge today spoke today about the challenges that come with motherhood at the launch of a series of educational films promoting mental health for parents and their children at the Royal College for Obstetricians.
“It’s right to talk about motherhood as a wonderful thing, but we also need
to talk about its stresses and strains” – Kate Middleton
By Scarlett Conlon
The Duchess of Cambridge today spoke today about the challenges that come with motherhood at the launch of a series of educational films promoting mental health for parents and their children at the Royal College for Obstetricians.
“Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience, however, at times it has also been a huge challenge - even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not,” she said. “Nothing can really prepare you for you the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost. And yet there is no rule book, no right or wrong - you just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family. For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance.”
The Duchess, who is mother to three-year-old George and 20-month-old Princess Charlotte, was at the institution in her capacity as ambassador for the Heads Together charity she supports alongside her husband, Prince William, and brother-in-law, Prince Harry. During her speech, she referred to the two in 10 women who experience mental-health issues before and after their child is born.”
“Many of these women also suffer in silence, overwhelmed by negative feelings, but also afraid to admit to the struggles they are facing due to the fear or shame of what others might think if they aren’t coping,” she said, reports The Telegraph. “Some of this fear is about the pressure to be a perfect parent; pretending we’re all coping perfectly and loving every minute of it. It’s right to talk about motherhood as a wonderful thing, but we also need to talk about its stresses and strains.”
“It’s ok not to find it easy. Asking for help should not be seen as a sign of weakness,” she continued. “If any of us caught a fever during pregnancy, we would seek advice and support from a doctor. Getting help with our mental health is no different - our children need us to look after ourselves and get the support we need. Conversations are crucial for mental wellbeing and they should be part of everyday family life. Talking about a problem with a friend or another trusted person can be the beginning of getting better.”
Courtesy: Vogue.com
