Duchess of Cambridge reveals she finds parenting hard
Kate Middleton talked about her experience of motherhood at a Best Beginnings charity event in London that launched films about maternal mental health.
The charity event was supported by the Royals mental health initiative, Heads Together. During her talk at the event, the Duchess of Cambridge admitted that she has experienced ‘lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance’ during her time of being a mother.
The 35-year-old duchess, who is mother to three-year-old Prince George and 22-month-old Princess Charlotte, has a full-time nanny, housekeepers and additional staff on hand.
“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,” said Kate.
“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.”
“Sadly, for some mothers, this experience can be made so much harder due to challenges with their own mental health. Two in 10 women will suffer mental health issues that can occur during pregnancy and in the year after birth, often clouding their moments of joy with a real sense of darkness and isolation.”
The launch of these films is a project that aims to create dialogue for new and expectant mothers about parenting.
The films were made by Best Beginnings, a charity that has emotionally and tangibly helped support families from the pregnancy stage of motherhood until they need assistance.
“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,” Kate explained.
'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.”
Kate reiterated, “Mothers take on an overwhelming responsibility of caring for their families. Their role is vital in providing unconditional love, care, and support at home, particularly in the early years of a child's development. We therefore should do everything we can to support and value their hard work.”
Last year in May, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry launched Heads Together campaign to overcome the stigma surrounding mental health.
After speaking, Kate attended a parental support group and had the opportunity to hear the parenting journeys of mothers and fathers. The Duchess made time during the event to pay tribute to the victims of the Westminster attacks.
Image Credit: Kensington Palace via Twitter