“What makes me uncertain?” Czech mothers' experiences of parenting 13‐ to 17‐month‐old toddlers

Abstract

ObjectivesThis qualitative study aimed to gain an in‐depth understanding of mothers' experiences of uncertainty in parenting 13‐ and 17‐month‐old toddlers.BackgroundThe transition to parenthood is universally acknowledged as a challenging period, particularly for first‐time mothers, with societal expectations emphasizing perfection in childcare. This study explores specific uncertainties faced by Czech mothers in caring for toddlers.MethodA thematic analysis was conducted after individual semistructured interviews conducted during home visits between 2016 and 2018 with 90 Czech women whose children were aged between 13 and 17 months.ResultsFive overarching themes and 13 subthemes reflecting how Czech mothers experienced feelings of uncertainty in parenting their toddlers were identified: (a) uncertainties connected to a purposefulness in parenting, (b) uncertainties connected to fulfilling physical needs, (c) dealing with current parenting issues, (d) uncertainties connected to the mother's characteristics and her family relationships, (e) uncertainties connected to developing the child.ConclusionThis study contributes to early motherhood literature by detailing uncertainties experienced by Czech mothers during the toddlerhood phase.ImplicationsOur study illuminates the uncertainties experienced by Czech mothers during early toddlerhood, emphasizing the need for counsellors to renegotiate societal ideals of motherhood, foster resilience in parent–child relationships, and embrace uncertainties as natural aspects of parenting.