‘No one warns you the joy of motherhood can be accompanied by such loneliness’

Loneliness within the noisy bubble of parenthood isn’t uncommon. This time of year in particular it can feel like the walls are closing in a little

Social seclusion can contribute to critical physical and mental health issues and parents are particularly vulnerable.

“I remember at one point, one child throwing food in the corner, another gurgling on my hip and a third on the horizon and realising I was never alone,” explains Dublin mum, Alana Kirk.

“And yet, gorgeous as my kids were, I'd been ruptured from the adult world where my career had meant everything, and I felt really isolated and unsure. I built day-time friend groups, tried to build a career around my kids, and had a great life, but there were definitely times I felt cast adrift from my old life, and even my old me.”