Sophie Hamilton
The parenting difficulties of Kate Middleton: Six times, the Princess of Wales has spoken out about her struggles as a mother to Prince George and Prince Louis.
The Prince and Princess of Wales‘s three children may be on their best behaviour during royal appearances, but Princess Kate has revealed that they too experience the ups and downs of parenthood behind closed doors – especially following the pandemic.
MORE: Kate Middleton reveals her worst homeschooling subject – and parents will relate
Kate is mum to three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte And Prince Louis Together with your husband Prince William. The doting royal mum spoke out about her caring for her family.
From relatable homeschooling struggles to experiencing mum guilt, we look at all the times she has revealed her own personal parenting struggles…
Princess Kate on… homeschooling
WATCH: Kate Middleton candidly discusses exhausting homeschooling struggles
The Princess revealed that she finds homeschooling her children just as difficult as any of us! She spoke with three parents who have children at Roe Green Junior School in Brent during a virtual conversation. feeling “exhausted.”
Kate stated, “I believe that parents have the daily elements of being parents, but during lockdown I think we have had to assume additional roles that maybe others in our communities or in our lives would support us and help us with.”
“I have become a hairdresser in this lockdown, much more than my children realize, after seeing my mum cutting hair.
“We had to become teachers – I feel pulled in so many directions. You try your best with all but at the end, I feel exhausted.”
MORE: 12 times royals looked super-smart in school uniform: Prince Harry to Princess Charlotte
Princess Kate on… mum guilt
Interview for the Happy Mum Happy Baby Podcast hosted by Giovanna Fletcher Kate spoke out about mum guilt in February.
Asked if she ever experienced pangs of ‘mum guilt’ herself, the Princess – who has a nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo – replied: “Yes absolutely – and anyone who doesn’t as a mother is actually lying. Yes – all the time.”
Kate sometimes feels guilt-like the rest of us.
She added: “There’s such a pull, but I am such a hands-on mum, and whatever you’re doing you want to make sure you’re doing the uttermost best job you can for your children.’
Kate shared her day with listeners to give them an inside look into her life.
“And you’ll notice, George, Charlotte, and I came to the nursery visit. They were like, “Mummy, how can you possibly not be dropping me off at school this morning?”
“But no, it’s a constant challenge, you hear it time and time again from mums. Even mums who aren’t necessarily working, aren’t pulled in the directions of having to juggle work life and family life – there’s always something.”
The Princess stated that she would always question her own decisions and judgments. This is something that I believe starts when you have your baby.
Princess Kate on… parenting in lockdown
Interview with the BBC The Princess spoke out about her experience with the virus in April and admitted it had been difficult. She also talked about how to find the right balance for children.
She said, “George is much younger than Louis is, but they’re aware, so I’m always amazed.” You don’t want them to be scared or make it overwhelming. However, it is okay to acknowledge it in simple and age-appropriate manners.
The royals clapping for the NHS in lockdown
After William stated that they have been keeping in touch via video calls with Kate and the rest of their royal family, Kate opened up about Zoom calls and the challenges it presents to young children.
The Princess said: “I think you father.” [Prince Charles] and my parents and our families and things like that have really loved keeping in touch with the children because it’s really hard. It can get a little hectic. [nearly] two-year-old.”
We feel exactly what Kate feels.
Princess Kate on… having a newborn
So familiar with the highs, and lows of the newborn stage, the royal has been three times through it. The 2019 charity headquarters visit was made to Lewisham. Family ActionThe royal spoke about her first years as a mother.
William and Kate holding baby Louis
She said: “It’s so hard. In the first few months, you get lots of support as a mom, especially for the infant, but it starts to diminish after one. After that there isn’t a huge amount — lots of books to read.”
“Everybody goes through the same struggles. Even me, who has more support at my home than most mothers, is going through the same struggles. It is impossible to imagine what it will be like to be a mother.
This can sometimes lead to a lack confidence and feelings ignorance for many mothers, including me.
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Princess Kate on… getting the kids ready
The challenge of getting the kids ready for school cannot be underestimated, and this comment from Kate in June 2019 made her even more relatable.
It can be hard to get ready for school.
Kate shared that she had prepared Princess Charlotte for nursery before heading to Cumbria. However, she said that she had had difficulty with something the morning.
The royal was admiring the hairstyle of a little girl and told her to get plaits! The mother-of-3 added that she tried to make a plait for Charlotte this morning but it didn’t work.
Kate, we’ve been there.
Princess Kate on… learning to parent
Kate talked about learning more about motherhood at The Royal Foundation’s February 2019 conference titled Mental Health in Education.
The Princess discussed the importance of children’s early years
Kate shares her personal experience by saying: “When my first job was completed and I learned a lot over a short time working with organizations, I was very ignorant as a parent of just how crucial the early years were for our children’s futures. And how critical it is, everyone looking after children at a critical time, teachers, parents, and everyone who’s caring for them, how important it is that we get it right.”
“I didn’t know what some of the issues that perhaps we take for granted here as experts know about, but it’s being able to translate it to those who don’t have the training in a way that the points come across clearly,” she added.
MORE: Five parenting tips Her Majesty, the Queen can teach us
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