Supporting Parents: It's OK to Find Parenting Difficult

Parenting is frequently portrayed as a universally fulfilling journey, yet the reality for many families involves significant stress, exhaustion, and moments of genuine difficulty. Annette Rawstrone emphasises that admitting one finds parenting tough—and sometimes not enjoyable—is not a personal failure but a crucial step towards accessing support. Normalising these conversations helps dismantle stigma and encourages families to seek early help before challenges escalate into crises. Early Help services are essential in providing this support at the critical moment when parents first acknowledge their struggles. By offering accessible, non-judgemental assistance through family hubs, parenting programmes, and mental health services, local authorities can strengthen family resilience and prevent difficulties from requiring statutory intervention. This approach embodies the principle that supporting parents early creates better outcomes for children and more sustainable public services. For cabinet members overseeing children's services, this highlights the importance of adequately resourcing Family Support and Early Help teams. When parents feel safe admitting they are struggling, professionals can step in with practical and emotional support, keeping children safely within their families and avoiding the far greater costs—financial and human—of later statutory intervention.