More than four in five parents or guardians (84%) believe becoming a parent was the best thing that ever happened to them – with cuddles cited as the greatest part of raising a child, a study has found.
Other favourite parts of watching a child grow up include watching their personalities develop, hearing some of the funny things they say – and them making you laugh.
And 23%, of the 1,300 parents, guardians, or carers polled, who are responsible for children aged 13 or under, also enjoy sharing new experiences with their little ones for the first time.
However, two-thirds of those polled also felt that becoming a parent affected their mental health – with 38% saying the most mentally challenging period was before their youngster turned three.
More than a third (35%) say they did not have a strong support network around them to help them raise their child.
And just six in ten (61%) feel they had enough support and resources on becoming a parent during the first six months.
The research was commissioned by Calpol, which is marking its five-year partnership with the NSPCC Helpline by launching its “Don't Bottle it Up!” campaign.
It emerged that nearly a quarter (24%) revealed they felt a “lot” of pressure to form an immediate connection with their little ones.
However, nearly one in five (19%) also said that having kids can help you appreciate the little things in life all the more.
Kam Thandi, head of the NSPCC Helpline, said: “Parenting can look different to everyone.
“Whether you have learnt your parenting behaviours from previous generations, or have formed your own individual parenting style, a strong support network really goes a long way.
“So it’s just as important to look after your own mental health as well as your child’s wellbeing.”
The study also found 14% love listening to the conversations kids have with each other, while 12% similarly enjoy feeling like a “hero” – after doing something minor like replacing a toy’s batteries.
And of those with more than one child, 72% believe they were a “better” parent the second time around, the OnePoll research revealed.
Parents also consider patience to be the most important attribute for guardians to have (41%) – followed by a loving nature (30%), and being ready for the unexpected (20%).
Calpol, along with the NSPCC Helpline, is hosting a free online panel discussion on parental worries on July 10, from 12pm until 1pm.
THE 25 BEST THINGS ABOUT BEING A PARENT TO UNDER-13s:
- The cuddles
- Watching their personalities develop
- They make you laugh
- Hearing some of the funny things they say
- Having new experiences with them for the first time
- They make you appreciate the little things in life more
- Reliving the magic of Christmas through a child's experience again
- Seeing them do something you've taught them
- The many quirky and wonderful questions they ask
- Birthday celebrations
- Seeing the world through their eyes
- Learning new things alongside them
- Watching kids' films together
- Reading bedtime stories together
- Listening to conversations they have with other children
- Feeling like their hero when you do something minor, like replacing the batteries in a toy
- The cute compliments they give
- You appreciate your own parents more
- Taking them to the zoo
- Getting to make friends with other mums/dads/caregivers
- Hearing them talk to themselves in bed at night
- Buying them toys you secretly want to play with yourself
- Still being able to go into soft play as an adult
- Getting to buy toys and browse in toy shops
- Making novelty bakes at occasions like Easter
