Parenting can be lonely - tips to nourish connection

When my son was born premature, he came on the day of my first Neo-Natal class! So I never got to go to a class and form bonds with other parents. We also lived out in the country at that time, far from friends and family. So I never had somewhere to pop in for coffee and a chat. Times have changed and we're lucky to have a good school community around us, but nursery drop offs were always a case of passing other parents, different parents, and never creating real connections. I found parenting an early years child quite lonely at times.

Do you find parenting lonely sometimes?

Loneliness is the theme of this year's #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek., and it can affect our mental and physical health. We believe connection is the antidote to loneliness - so we want to invite you to our community, if you'd like to join?

We've also brought your four simple things to do to try to combat loneliness if you are feeling it. Mindfulness and small connections can help us on our journey.

1. If we take time to be aware of ourselves and be in the present moment, noticing our own thoughts and feelings, and the world around us, we can gain a better perspective.

2. Good-quality sleep makes a big difference in how we feel mentally and physically, it's important to get enough. Here's our recent sleep tips again.

3. Spending quality time with friends or family, talking to someone about how we are feeling or finding ways to help other people can all help stop you from feeling lonely and improve your mental health and wellbeing.

4. Join our Wee Seeds Community to find support from other parents interested in mindfulness and meditation, and have a safe space to ask questions about raising children in their early years.

Don't feel alone. We've got you.

Christina

Wee Seeds Founder, and Mum to 10-year-old Fin xx