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Being a young parent is a whole new world! While it can be tough, eheadspace clinicians and headspace National Youth Reference Group members chat with other young parents on everything from looking after your baby to managing your own mental health. Read the group chat transcripts all in one place.
Connecting with friends, family & community
Being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Life changes a lot, and the change seems to happen so quickly. Connecting with others when you have children can seem like an impossible task. As a young parent, it may be extra challenging if your peers are not yet sharing your experiences of parenthood. The good news is that there are ways to blend and balance parenting and social connection.
Parenthood & mental health
Becoming a parent is hugely life changing and can sometimes trigger the onset of mental health issues or exacerbate existing mental health challenges. Experiencing changes to mental health during this time is not uncommon yet trying to take care of your own mental health, while raising a child can be tough. Making time to prioritise your own mental health is super important.
Communicating you & your family needs
Becoming a parent comes with so many unique joys and challenges. It’s often a time for a lot of firsts! And often comes with changing priorities and needs. Communicating these needs to friends and family can be tricky, especially when it feels like caring for your child falls completely on your shoulders.
More than just a mum or dad
Becoming a parent is one of the biggest identity shifts someone can go through in life. All aspects of what makes you who you are can change, from relationships, work, social life, and doing stuff you enjoy just for you! In caring for your child, you can lose track of your own needs and interests. For young parents, this can feel even more pronounced, when you’re already at a time of establishing who you want to be in the world.
The hectic study, work, parenting combo
Anyone who is a parent will know how constant it is and how hard it can be to take a break or make time for yourself. So how do you strike the right balance when you throw in work or study too? It can be hard to know where to start and can feel overwhelming to manage such a busy schedule. For young parents who are already embarking on this challenge, the exhaustion can be real.
Connecting with your little ones
One of the great things about being a parent is the very special connection that only you can have with your bub. While things might not always be easy, the joy on their face when they see you makes it all worthwhile! eheadspace clinicians and the headspace Youth National Reference Group as we talk about building deeper connection with your child through consistency, boundaries, empathy, play and song.
The sleep saga for parents & bubs
Do you remember the last time you got a good night’s sleep? Are you constantly wondering what you’re doing wrong? Are other babies and kids up half the night too? Don’t be too hard on yourself! The reality of having kids is hard and sleep deprivation affects all of us at some stage and it won’t last forever.
Living baby safe
We all want to keep our babies safe from harm, but parenting can often feel like a complicated juggling act! Conflicting advice from well-meaning family and friends, information online and balancing competing demands, can make it feel impossible to know what to prioritise and how to guard against hazards.
I get treated differently now
Being a young parent is a whole new world! Lack of connection with your old mates. Questions, assumptions and judgements from others…. and endless opinions from well-meaning family and strangers. It can feel like you’ve lost your identity and like everything you do is under a microscope.
I might be young but I’m a great parent
All parents, regardless of their age, navigate the ups and downs, joys and challenges of parenting. As a young parent, you may also experience some extra challenges due to your age such as feeling judged by others or feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a child when you’re still ‘growing up’ yourself.
Get professional support
If you feel you need help there are a range of ways we can support you.