Jayde’s Story 

This blog contains references to suicidal feelings.

Reading Well for families recommends helpful reading to support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years. 

Read on to hear from Jayde, 26 and mother of two, who shares why she got involved, how her relationship with reading has changed, and her advice for other new parents. 

Co-Production Process & Impact 

Why did you want to be a part of developing the Reading Well for families book list?  

I’m a young mum, and when I had my baby, I felt really lost at times. I didn’t always know where to turn, and I often felt like no one really talked about how hard things could be. When I heard about this group, I wanted to get involved because I know how important it is to feel supported and understood, especially as a parent.  

I also wanted to try something new. I am passionate about maternal mental health and thought this would be a great experience to explore other ways to support both myself and others.  

I wanted to help create something that could help parents like me, something real, honest, and kind. It’s quite easy to create something that does not reach the right audience, especially young parents and I wanted to use my own experiences to create something for all.  

How have your own experiences fed into developing the book list?  

I had my son when I was really young and obviously that was difficult in itself; being pregnant at 15 and not having much family support around. But for a number of years, I didn’t identify myself as struggling with my mental health. There was a lack of understanding of what mental health actually is. And I wish that I had a health professional that identified what I was experiencing. 

I remember I was 16, I went to the nursery my child was in. I was like, “you know what? I’m feeling really suicidal, this really, really tough”. And a couple weeks later, I was in a child protection meeting with them examining if I’m a good parent or not. And I think that’s probably one of the main reasons why I wanted to get involved, because if I had something to read about someone else’s similar experiences, then maybe that could have been the start of my healing, and it wouldn’t have been left so long until the point of where I felt that I couldn’t physically do this. And I’m not saying that reading a book or a magazine is going to change anything but that sense of hope and being able to wake up in the morning and keep going or keep trying can really stem from reading other people’s experiences.

And I think that was probably one of my biggest reflections, that you don’t know the power of reading somebody else’s story and the impact that it can have on you. [It can give you] that sense of hope and that sense of “if they can do it, I can do it”. The world is not going to end, things are definitely going to get easier. 

As part of the process, I shared how lonely I felt as a new mum, and how sometimes just reading a few pages of someone else’s story helped me feel less alone I wanted to make sure we included books/audio/visuals that talked openly about things like anxiety, tiredness, and feeling like you’re not good enough. Because I think lots of us feel that way but don’t always say it. 

Were there any topics you felt were important to include in the scheme? 

Yes, I felt really strongly about including books and support around loneliness, and books that would be relatable for single parents and young parents. I also wanted to make sure mental health wasn’t just a side topic it needed to be right at the centre, because it’s such a big part of being a parent. 

We were listened to, and it felt like we were really building something meaningful together. 

How important is it for schemes like this to be developed with direct input from people with lived experience?  

It’s so important. You can read all the facts and research, but if you haven’t lived through it, you might miss the real feelings behind it. Parents need to feel seen, not just studied. 

The Importance of Reading & Resources 

Has being a part of this process changed your relationship to reading in any way?  

[Being part of the co-production process] encouraged me to read more. It also gave me more confidence and reminded me that my voice matters, and it helped me process my own journey as a mum.  

Reading gives you space to think, feel, cry, or just breathe. It’s like a quiet friend when everything feels loud and overwhelming. Books remind you that others have been where you are. 

Were there any books on the list that stood out to you as particularly impactful?  

Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood by Hollie McNish, really stood out. It’s honest and raw, and it made me feel so seen. Books about mental health and real parenting stories felt most valuable to me. 

Looking Ahead 

What do you hope parents and carers take away from this book collection? 

I hope they feel less alone. I hope they realise it’s okay to struggle and that they’re not failing. I want them to know there’s support out there even in the pages of a book. 

Most importantly, I would love for parents/carers to have the confidence to reach out for professional support too.  

How do you think the scheme could help reduce stigma around perinatal mental health challenges? 

By putting these books in the spotlight, we’re saying it’s okay to talk about these things. It’s okay to not be okay. When people see others sharing their truth, it helps open up those conversations. 

How do you hope Reading Well for families will make a difference in the long run? 

I hope it becomes a trusted source for parents everywhere. I hope it makes people feel braver about asking for help.

I hope it brings comfort to anyone who’s struggling, even if it’s just one page at a time.

What would you say to a parent who’s struggling but hasn’t thought about turning to books? 

Give it a try, even just one book or one story. You might find something that speaks to you or helps you feel a little lighter. Books don’t fix everything, but they can be a gentle first step.  

I’d even make it more simple, one word leads to one sentence which hopefully leads to reading a whole book, take it slow and don’t feel the pressure to reach everything but just have the option open to read something that relates to how you are feeling. 

Explore the Reading Well for families booklist here.