Key points

Being a parent can bring immense joy and fulfilment, but the transition to parenthood and parenting itself can be one of the most stressful stages of life.
Many parents find the ongoing demands of daily life to be stressful, including balancing work and family demands or relationship and financial pressures.
Any significant changes within a family, such as a new child or a house move, can have the potential to create stress (as well as build resilience). The loss of a job or end of a relationship can be particularly stressful for families.
Many factors influence our experience as a parent. This can include the availability, affordability and quality of childcare, the type of communities we live in and the flexibility and conditions we have in the workplace (such as access to parental leave, flexible work hours and permanent work).
Living in poverty can leave adults too stressed to parent well. Single parents in particular face the challenges of parenting alone, along with less financial stability, less social support and often more stigma and judgement.
Discrimination remains an issue for same-sex parents. Yet research shows it is the quality of parenting relationships and not the family structure that matters most for children
Grandparents increasingly take responsibility for the care of their grandchildren through formal and informal arrangements, which can make relationships more complex.

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