An exploration of parents’ experiences of early parenthood and their engagement with parenting resources

Submission note: A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Rural Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora.

Providing children with every opportunity to develop their full potential is in the best interests of children, families, communities and society at large. Parents hold an instrumental role in the healthy development of their children and should therefore be well supported in their provision of environments and experiences that promote child development and wellbeing. Using a Grounded Theory framework, this study explored parents’ experiences of early parenthood with a focus on their engagement with parenting resources that encourage positive parenting practices and promote positive childhood outcomes. Thirty parents of 0-10 year olds were interviewed about their experiences of, and preparation for, parenthood. Participants made use of a variety of resources both pre- and post-birth, relying most heavily on the Internet, books and peers for parenting information. They were less inclined to value their own parents’ advice, but thought that professional services were helpful, though needing to offer greater support. The overwhelming message conveyed by participants was their lack of preparedness for parenthood, and the associated stress, anxiety and self-doubt after the birth of their first child. These findings were examined within a constructionist and critical social theory lens, which underscores practice and policy-based recommendations for connecting with new parents in ways that acknowledge the many and varied influences and pressures they felt. A continuum of parenting resourcing is outlined combined with a critically reflective practice framework for understanding the social context of parenting and related influences on parenting experiences. This form of skill development might help reduce parents’ feelings of anxiety, self-doubt and isolation, as well as improving childhood outcomes. Implications for antenatal preparation, community support programs, social policies, and the need for further research are discussed.