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Emotions of Parenthood

Introduction

Becoming a parent is one of the most life-changing experiences someone can have. It is a

period when many pleasant and bad emotions are experienced, and it often entails a considerable

transformation in one's identity and goals. In this post, we will look at the intangible notions

surrounding being a parent via the lenses of previous research, the perspectives of three people

who have just gone through this change, and my personal experience.

Past Research

First of all, studies have shown that becoming a parent may be a period of great stress and

transition for many individuals. According to one research published in the Journal of Child and

Family Studies, new mothers experience increased stress and anxiety, and many report feelings

of isolation and loneliness throughout their first year as parents. While considering the emotional

experience of becoming a parent, postpartum depression must also be taken into account

(Cameron et al. 431). Postpartum depression is a clinical type of depression that affects certain

women after childbirth. An individual suffering from postpartum depression may have emotions

of sadness, restlessness, and trouble connecting with their newborn infant. Moreover, it is

believed that up to 20% of new moms suffer from postpartum depression (Gavin et al., 1071).

Nelson-Coffey et al.'s 2017 article in the Journal of Happiness Studies and Dichtiar et al.'s 2011
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article in the Journal of Affective Disorders provide information about how parents report higher

happiness and life satisfaction levels but also higher levels of stress and depression.

Interview #1: Sarah

Sarah is a young mother who gave birth to a healthy baby nine months ago. When

questioned about her emotions throughout pregnancy and after giving birth, she expressed a

strong sense of excitement, fear, and delight. "I was delighted to become a parent but also

worried that I wouldn't be a good one," she said. "I was scared about how my life would alter

since there were so many uncertainties."

Sarah's story exemplifies the intangible sense of uncertainty that many young mothers

confront. Being a parent is a major transition in one's life, and it may be difficult to foresee all of

the changes that are going to occur as a result of this transformation. Uncertainty may cause

worry and dread, but it can also inspire enthusiasm and expectation for the future.

Interview #2: John

John is a first-time parent who became a parent six months ago when he adopted his first

kid. When asked how he felt throughout and after the adoption process, he described

experiencing intense feelings of love, appreciation, and responsibility. "Our child's adoption was

the most fantastic thing my fiancee, and I have ever done," he remarked. "At the same time, we

felt a significant responsibility to give a caring and secure home for our kid." "We felt an instant

bond with our child and were filled with feelings of affection and gratitude."

John's story illustrates the indescribable feeling of affection that is commonly connected

with becoming a parent. Love is a strong feeling that may be hard to express, but it is an essential

component of the bond that exists between a parent and a kid. The love that many parents feel
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for their children is instantaneous and unconditional, and it has the potential to profoundly

impact the lives of both of parents and children.

Interview #3: Maria

Maria is a mom of three who gave birth to her third child a year and a half ago. When

being asked how she felt throughout her third pregnancy and the weeks after the delivery, she

described experiencing intense feelings of excitement, appreciation, and weariness. When asked

how having a third child compared to her first, she remarked, "It was a whole other experience."

As a mother, I had greater self-assurance but was also more exhausted and stressed. At the same

moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my children and the love and excitement they

brought into my life.

Maria's story exemplifies the intangible feeling of gratitude that many mothers

experience. Being a parent may be a difficult and tiring journey, but it can also provide a great

deal of pleasure and satisfaction. Gratitude is an emotion that may help parents appreciate the

small experiences and tribulations of parenthood, as well as keep them happy and focused on the

pleasures of parenting.

Personal Interview

As someone who has just given birth to her first child, I can empathize with many of the

feelings that Sarah, John, and Maria have described. When I found out I was pregnant, I had

feelings that were a combination of joy, dread, and anticipation. I couldn't wait to become a mom

and to feel the happiness that comes with having a kid, but at the same time, I was anxious about

the things that I didn't know and the difficulties that awaited me in the future. I felt a great

feeling of love and connection to my kid after giving birth, but I was also overwhelmed and

weary by the obligations of parenthood.

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Being a young mother, one of life's most ephemeral concepts has been my sense of self's

gradual but profound transformation. My expectations and my sense of who I am have been

profoundly rearranged as a result of being a parent. These days, being a mother is the most

important thing to me, and that fact informs every aspect of my life. This identity transformation

might be challenging, but it is also a source of pride and joy for me as I see my kid grow and

flourish.

The notion of sacrifice is another intangible concept that I have encountered as a new

mother. Being a parent often requires placing the interests of one's offspring ahead of one's own,

which sometimes requires making substantial compromises. For instance, as a parent, I've had to

forego some of my favourite hobbies and relationships with family and friends to meet my

child's needs first. In spite of the fact that this may be difficult at times, I've learned that the love

and pleasure that come with being a parent more than makeup for the inevitable sacrifices.

Reflections

The previous research that was discussed shed light on the myriad of difficulties people

encounter throughout becoming parents. It is obvious that being a parent can be both a joyous

and stressful experience; thus, it is essential to acknowledge that it is natural to feel a variety of

emotions throughout this time. Overall, the study emphasizes the need to identify the emotional

issues that might develop during the transition to parenthood and obtain help when necessary.

We can see from the experiences of Sarah, John, Maria, and myself that being a parent

entails a broad variety of intangible notions and feelings. Among the intangible concepts that are

often deeply connected to parenthood are uncertainty, love, appreciation, identity change, and

sacrifice. Because of this, it is essential to keep in mind that the connotations and feelings

associated with them are not always in a favourable light. Anxiety, dread, and weariness are
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some of the unfavourable feelings that come with parenthood. Similarly, parenthood is an

experience that lasts a lifetime. The experience of parenthood is one that continues over a

lifetime, with each participant going through their own unique developmental and maturational

phases. As the child grows and changes, so does the parent's understanding of who they are and

what's most important to them.

Moreover, being a parent might affect our relationships, employment, and personal

aspirations. Sarah, for example, discussed how being a mom has altered her view on work and

caused her to prioritize spending quality time with her kid. John discussed how he and his fiance

had to adapt their relationship to their new parental responsibilities. These transitions may be

difficult, but they can also provide opportunities for development and learning. Hence, having

children can help us learn important life lessons like accountability, compassion, and unwavering

love.

In conclusion, being a parent is a difficult and emotional process that incorporates many

intangible concepts. These concepts affect our lives profoundly, from the first uncertainty and

dread of pregnancy to the continuing difficulties and pleasures of parenthood. Understanding

these ideas and feelings and how they impact our lives as parents may be improved by hearing

the perspectives of new parents and thinking about our own experiences in the same context.

Works Cited

Belsky, Jay, and Jiri Bertrand. "The Transition to Parenthood: How a First Child Changes a

Marriage." Journal of Family Psychology, vol. 15, no. 1, 2001, pp. 59-66.
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Cameron, Elizabeth E., et al. "Psychological Distress Among New Mothers: A Prospective Study

of Frequency, Severity, Course, and Duration." Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol.

11, no. 4, 2002, pp. 431-450.

Gavin, Norma I., et al. "Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and

Incidence." Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 106, no. 5, 2005, pp. 1071-1083.

Nelson-Coffey, S. Katherine, et al. "Parenting and Life Satisfaction: A Meta-Analytic Review."

Journal of Happiness Studies, vol. 18, no. 6, 2017, pp. 1711-1748.

Perry-Jenkins, Maureen, and Jay Turner. "Couple Relationships in the Transition to Parenthood:

Revisiting Ten Years of Research." Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 72, no. 3, 2010,

pp. 468-488.

Reed, Katherine, and Brenda L. Volling. "Social Support and Postpartum Depression:

Comparing Single and Married Mothers." Journal of Family Nursing, vol. 19, no. 3,

2013, pp. 348-382.