Parents feeling depressed at being unable to be perfect

It’s no surprise parents are feeling depressed with the constant pressure to be perfect.

But new research from parenting website Yano.co.uk, finds more than six out of ten parents feel depressed by failing to meet their perfect parenting ideal.

Competitive parenting and rivalry affected two-thirds of parents, who consistently compared their parenting style with others.

A 38 per cent admitted paying out for expensive activities and extra curricular activities for their children to attend.

Dr. Penelope Leach, Psychologist and parenting expert comments: “The roles we women are expected to fill – mother, partner, worker, daughter, sister – are an overload for almost everyone. One mum told me her life was like being on a tightrope: gloriously exciting when all went well and completely disastrous if the least thing went wrong. A child being ill or a childminder taking a day off was enough to bring her whole life crashing down.”

Co-founder of Yano, Ann-Marie McKimm says: “Our site sets out to give modern parents fresh thinking on parenting that allows and encourages them to make up their own minds about what’s best – and hopefully trust their own judgement, rather than worrying they’re doing it wrong.”