Speaking to a crowd of volunteers on Jan. 22, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, said one of the most relatable statements any parent hopes to hear from a royal – that she, too, struggles with the isolation of being a mother with a young baby.
“It’s so hard. You get a lot of support with the baby as a mother, particularly in the early days, but after the age of 1, it falls away,” she said.
It was yet another example of how she connects with the public, just like her late mother-in-law, Diana.
“After that, there isn’t a huge amount – lots of books to read,” Kate, 37, said. “Everybody experiences the same struggle.”
The candid conversation came at the launch of a helpline for struggling parents, called FamilyLine, funded by the Family Action charity.
The duchess – mum of George, 5, Charlotte, 3, and Louis, 9 months – is known for her relatability, and in 2017 also spoke about her parenting struggles.
“Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge – even for me, who has support at home that most mothers do not,” she said during a speech at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
“For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance.”
The duchess ended her speech by urging parents to reach out and ask for help. “It’s right to talk about motherhood as a wonderful thing, but we also need to talk about its stresses and strains,” Kate said. “It’s OK not to find it easy. Asking for help should not be seen as a sign of weakness.”
The future King and Queen Consort have employed a full-time nanny, but not just any regular babysitter – Norland College-trained Maria
Borrallo has undergone extensive training for the role of royal child minder, including self-defence and evasive driving.
Norland College expert Louise Heren revealed that the Cambridge children would have a “no-nonsense” upbringing. “Maria will be aware that as they step off planes, holding mum’s hands, smiling and waving to the crowds, there can’t be any crying or terrible twos or tantrums,” Heren told Fabulous online.
Strict rules such as a 7pm bedtime and outside playtime regardless of the English weather would be introduced, Heren said.
“There will be lots and lots of outdoor play, that’s the one thing you could say Norland is old-fashioned about. Loads of fresh air,” she said. “Lots of bike rides, playing with their dogs, potentially some gardening. Norland is very into teaching children through play.”
But despite being taught discipline and manners from an early age, the Cambridge kids still have a cheeky side – especially George. During an outing to the park with his grandma Carole Middleton, he struck up a conversation with a dog walker.
“George started stroking my dog,” the woman told The Sun. “I asked George what his name was, even though obviously I knew it. To my astonishment he said, ‘I’m called Archie’ with a big smile on his face. I don’t know why he calls himself Archie, but kids often play with their names and I think it’s lovely.”
Kate employs several parenting techniques, including “active listening” where she kneels down to her children’s height to convey an important message. In 2016, the duchess was seen practising this skill while speaking to George during their Canadian tour.
“It’s one of the most effective ways to get a message across,” child development expert Gill Connell tells WHO.
“These simple messages foster self- esteem in powerful ways while encouraging him to communicate even more.”
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
