Silke Jasso
While introducing “Out of the Blue,” a film documentary series that highlights mental health and parenthood, Kate Middleton opened up about her own experiences as a mother and said it has been no easy feat.
Videos by Rare
“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,” the Duchess of Cambridge said on Thursday. “Nothing can really prepare you for you the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love and worry, all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost.”
RELATED: Duchess Kate speaks out in honor of the victims of the Westminster attack and their families
Middleton and husband Prince William have been married for nearly six years now and share two children, Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 22 months. The proud mother made it clear that there is no “rule book” when it comes to motherhood or a “right or wrong” way to be a mom.
“You just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family. For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance,” she said. “Sadly, for some mothers, this experience can be made so much harder due to challenges with their own mental health.”
She then told mothers who are having a hard time adjusting to parenthood to seek help from others, adding that doing so “should not be seen as a sign of weakness.”
“Mothers take on an overwhelming responsibility of caring for their families,” she concluded. “Their role is vital in providing unconditional love, care and support at home, particularly in the early years of a child’s development. We therefore should do everything we can to support and value their hard work.”
RELATED: Kate Middleton is reportedly not happy about Prince William’s ski trip antics
