Brit parents reveal the best things about raising kids – including cuddles and giggles | The Sun

THE BEST things about raising a child are their cuddles, seeing their personalities develop – and having a laugh.

A poll of 1,300 mums, dads, guardians, and carers of children aged up to 13 found 84 per cent consider becoming a parent to be the greatest thing to happen to them.

And this is thanks to such highlights such as the youngsters' quirky questions and funny remarks.

Watching kids’ movies, seeing them do something you’ve taught them and reading bedtime stories together were also among the many wonders of having children.

However, the study by CALPOL which is marking its five-year partnership with the NSPCC Helpline by launching its ‘Don't Bottle it Up!’ campaign, found being a parent has impacted the mental wellbeing of 66 per cent.

While 38 per cent claim the period prior to their children turning three is the most challenging on their mental health.

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And 24 per cent revealed they felt a ‘lot’ of pressure to form an immediate connection with their little ones.

Kam Thandi, head of the NSPCC Helpline, said: "Parenting can look different to everyone.

"Whether you have learnt your parenting behaviours from previous generations or have formed your own individual parenting style, a strong support network really goes a long way.

"So it’s just as important to look after your own mental health as well as your child’s wellbeing."

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The study also found 14 per cent love listening to the conversations kids have with each other.

And 12 per cent similarly enjoy feeling like a "hero" – after doing something minor like replacing a toy’s batteries.

Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) also think having new experiences for the first time with a child is one of the greatest joys.

While 19 per cent believe having kids can help you appreciate the little things in life all the more.

But only 61 per cent of those polled said they had enough support and resources into how to be a parent in the first six months.

And 35 per cent were also not lucky enough to have a strong support network around them to raise their child.

Of those with more than one child, polled via OnePoll, 72 per cent believe they were a ‘better’ parent the second time around.

Parents also consider patience to be the most important attribute for guardians to have (41 per cent), followed by a loving nature (30 per cent), and being ready for the unexpected (20 per cent).

CALPOL, along with the NSPCC Helpline, is hosting a free online panel discussion here on parental worries on July 10, from 12pm until 1pm.

The 25 best things about being a parent to under 13s:

1. The cuddles

2. Watching their personalities develop

3. They make you laugh

4. Hearing some of the funny things they say

5. Having new experiences with them for the first time

6. They make you appreciate little things in life more

7. Reliving the magic of Christmas through a child’s experience again

8. Seeing them do something you’ve taught them

9. The many quirky and wonderful questions they ask

10. Birthday celebrations

11. Seeing the world through their eyes

12. Learning new things alongside them

13. Watching kids’ films together

14. Reading bedtime stories together

15. Listening to conversations they have with other children

16. Feeling like their hero when you do something minor like replacing the batteries in a toy

17. The cute compliments they give

18. You appreciate your own parents more

19. Taking them to the zoo

20. Getting to make friends with other mums/ dads/ caregivers

21. Hearing them talk to themselves in bed at night

22. Buying them toys you secretly want to play with yourself

23. Still being able to go into soft play as an adult

24. Getting to buy toys and browse in toy shops

25. Making novelty bakes at occasions like Easter

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