Home / News 91% of moms say parenthood is more fulfilling than they ever imagined Peanutâs new survey is part of a broader effort to shift the parenting narrative. By Jordan Fink October 18, 2024 Rectangle Inside this article The joys of parenthood Changing the parenting narrative Embracing the positives Holding space for complexity Finding joy through the challenges We all know parenting is challenging, but a new survey suggests it might be more fulfilling than the social media algorithm often shows. According to Peanut, an app supporting women through fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause, 84% of moms feel that the portrayal of parenting in media doesnât fully capture their reality. But hereâs the surprising part: a striking 91% of moms feel more joy and fulfillment than they had anticipated before becoming parents. Despite the challenges, 81% believe that the positive sides of parenting should be celebrated more often in the media. The joys of parenthood Peanutâs survey is part of a broader effort to shift the parenting narrative to one that embraces the full spectrum of the experience. The campaign starts with a video showcasing the complexities of motherhoodâhighlighting both the beauty and the challenges. It moves beyond the typical doom-and-gloom headlines, instead focusing on the moments that bring joy, like morning cuddles, spontaneous laughter, and witnessing a childâs milestones. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Peanut App (@peanut) For many, it’s the simple momentsâlike the 62% who cherish morning cuddles or the 57% who find joy in spontaneous gigglesâthat stand out as the most fulfilling, far outweighing elaborate or expensive experiences. Changing the parenting narrative In the early days of social media, parenting content often portrayed a picture-perfect life filled with coordinated outfits and elaborate family vacations. But as platforms evolved and the pandemic unfolded, the narrative shifted. The realities of the âinvisible loadâ of motherhood became more widely acknowledged, and the content became more honestâshowing the tears and the tough moments. This shift was necessary, but somewhere along the way, the focus on the difficulties of parenting became so prominent that the joys were often overshadowed. For many, the message became: âMotherhood is so hard, it might not be worth it.â But Peanutâs survey suggests that the joys of parenting are still very real and worth celebrating. The rawness of motherhood cracks your heart wide open: Embracing the positives I was once on the fence about having children myself. The stories I read and heard painted an overwhelming picture, and I questioned whether I was ready to take on such a huge responsibility. But after having my baby, I realized it was the best decision I could have made. Thereâs a fulfillment that comes from those small, everyday momentsâwhen my baby smiles at me, or we have a quiet, cozy cuddle before bedâthat makes it all worthwhile. The joy is deeper and more meaningful than I could have imagined. Holding space for complexity Of course, motherhood is not one-size-fits-all. Not every woman chooses or is able to have children, and for some, the path to parenthood is filled with obstacles. The current landscapeâespecially in a post-Roe worldâadds another layer of complexity and underscores the need for systemic support like paid family leave and affordable childcare. Peanutâs survey reveals that 89% of mothers feel current social support systems are insufficient, and this lack of support shouldnât be overlooked. Parenting is hard work, and societal support is crucial. However, acknowledging the challenges doesnât mean we should lose sight of the joy that these moments bring. Related: Thereâs joy in motherhoodâeven when there is no âbalanceâ Finding joy through the challenges The joy of parenting doesnât erase the tough moments, but it offers a lifelineâa reason to keep moving forward. Simple moments like my babyâs laughter or the feeling of his little hand holding mine remind me why I took this step, even when it seemed daunting. Letâs shift the narrative again to one that holds space for the challenges but also shines a light on the joy that motherhood brings. Because sometimes, itâs those small moments that give us the biggest reason to smile. Inside this article The joys of parenthood Changing the parenting narrative Embracing the positives Holding space for complexity Finding joy through the challenges The latest News Nicole Kidman almost walked away from actingâher momâs words echo what every working mom needs to hear News Meghan Trainor reveals she would ‘love to make another baby’ in 2025 News Jessie J shares the bittersweet reality of toddler motherhood: âPeople stop checking in on you as muchâ News Parentsâ heartfelt âJust a Momâ song goes viralâand moms everywhere feel seen