TimeOut Dubai Kids – June 2019

Health & Wellbeing

Time Out UAE Kids June 2019 59

“Mothers are

superheroes,

they have

superpowers”

to counter a culture of perfect parenting by

documenting realities through a uniquely

honest lens, prompting a more open and

candid conversation around parenthood that

inspires self-belief in parents.

“There was very little social media a few

years ago. Hence, we didn’t feel the pressure

to take pictures and use them to update

everyone as our worlds were smaller, our

contacts people we would see each day

and our immediate families were closer in

distance too,” says De Scally.

#ThisisParenthood has launched with a

documentary screening at Al Jalila Cultural

Centre for Children, Dubai. The film, which

carries the project’s name, consists of a

collection of real narratives with parents in

their first year of being mums and dad.

“Mothers are superheroes, they have

superpowers. They grow and feed babies.

More seriously, the best way for mums to be

allowed to breathe is to stop encouraging a

perfect look or idea of parenting, to speak

up about the reality of how hard it is to

breastfeed and how tired you are as a parent.

It’s even posting that real 2am photo so

people can see the truth,” says De Scally.

“To ensure we have better community

circles supporting mothers and helping them

through these amazing, but really emotional

vulnerable times, us women need to ensure

that we never judge each other, but rather

that we build each other up,” she adds.

The stories captured in the 16-minute

documentary aim to portray real parenting like

never before, talking openly about the highs

and lows of the parenthood journey.

In partnership with mums, dads and

BAFTA-nominated director Lucy Cohen,

#ThisIsParenthood aims to normalise more

open, honest conversations and inspire self-

belief in parents from the UAE and worldwide.

“Life was very real as those we loved were

involved in our lives and nothing could truly be

hidden. Today, we’re constantly sharing our

lives via social media so that the people we

love who are far away feel that they’re a part

of our day to day. We would really not want

anyone to be concerned – so we avoid being

real,” she adds.

For De Scally, the project marks the

beginning of change, and will encourage

mums to seek support whenever things

become a bit too tough.

“Prepare well before your birth, know your

community resources. Start to engage those

resources during pregnancy and build new

circles of friends that will have kids around

the same time. Once

baby is born, make

sure you go out to

places where you

can get help,” she

advises mums.

“You’re enough

and your child will

always love you.”

O For more on

#ThisIsParenthood,

waterwipes.com/ae/en/

community.

WHAT IS IT...

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