What I Wish I’d Known About the Early Years of Parenting
Before the Mum Guilt, Pressure & Overwhelm Hit!
No one really tells you the truth about the early years of parenting.
Yes, they’ll say “Soak up every moment!” or “It goes so fast!” - but they rarely talk about how intense it all feels when you're actually in it.
The long days. The even longer nights!
The parenting mental load that kicks in the minute your baby arrives and seems to never quite let up.
I’ve been a parent for 25 years now and if I could go back to that younger version of me, the one with cracked nipples and zero sleep, I wouldn’t give her a routine. I’d give her reassurance. Because that’s what I needed most.
So if you're in it right now here's what I wish someone had told me back then.
You’re Not Doing It Wrong - Parenting in the Early Years Is Just Hard
Parenting young children stretches you in ways nothing else does.
The days can be loud, chaotic, beautiful, and utterly exhausting.
It’s not just the sleep deprivation - it’s the decision fatigue, the self-doubt, and the constant feeling that you should somehow be doing more.
But struggling doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re in it. Fully.
That’s the reality when you’re in the thick of it.
Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Parents
I used to look at other mums and think they had some secret formula. They looked calm. Organised. In control.
Meanwhile, I was hiding in the loo for five minutes of peace… a lot!
But here’s the truth: nobody has it all together. They’re just muddling through like the rest of us.
We just don’t see their hard moments.
We compare our worst days to their best ones, and it’s never a fair match.
There’s no right way to parent - only what works for your child, your circumstances, your reality.
Trusting Your Parenting Instincts Over Expert Advice
I read the books. I tried the tips. And I spent more time than I care to admit wading through online forums.
But the real turning point?
Learning to trust myself and caring a lot less about everyone else’s opinions. Because that’s all they are: opinions.
No one really knows what your life is like. Not the full picture.
You already have the most powerful tool there is: your instinct.
Your little one doesn’t need you to be perfect.
They just need you. Tired, trying, showing-up-you.
The “Good Parent” Myth Is Making Us All Feel Like We’re Failing
Let’s be honest: the idea of a “good parent” is a moving target.
Actually, who even decides what “good” means?!
It’s vague. It’s loaded.
And it piles on mum guilt, comparison, and impossible expectations.
It makes you feel like you're falling short - when in reality, you’re doing so much more than you realise.
So ask yourself:
What do I want my child to remember about this stage?
What helps me feel more like myself?
What do we need more of right now - maybe just a bit more time together as a family?
That’s what truly matters. Not ticking some invisible box.
Want to explore this more? Read this blog about the “good parent” myth.
Letting Go of Mum Guilt and Unrealistic Expectations
There’s no gold star for parenting. No prize for never asking for help.
Just you, doing your best, in a world that makes that harder than it needs to be.
So be kind to yourself. Skip the guilt.
And remember - crackers and nibbly bits for dinner is still dinner!
Why I Created the Masterclass and the Raising Wild Ones Club
Because the early years of parenting don’t come with a manual and most of the advice out there just adds more pressure.
I wanted to offer something different.
A space that reassures rather than overwhelms.
That celebrates connection over perfection.
That gives you tools and validation—not just more on your to-do list.
That’s what this free masterclass is all about.
Free Masterclass Invite: Support for Parents in the Early Years
Five Ways You Can Best Support Your Child in the Early Years
(No flashcards in sight!)
Thursday 5th June at 8pm (UK time) via Zoom
You’ll walk away with practical, connection-first strategies that actually help - especially when everything feels hard.
Can’t make it live?
No worries - everyone who signs up will receive the replay.
When you sign up, you’ll also be added to the waitlist for my new membership, the Raising Wild Ones Club - a supportive space for parents of babies and toddlers who want realistic guidance, expert reassurance, and community (with zero judgement).
Founding members will get a special rate—and one person on the waitlist will win a free 1:1 session with me!
