Instagram mum shines light on 'unpolished' reality

A young mother who posts about the "unpolished" reality of parenthood on social media says working has meant she is "always feeling a pull".

Evie Brooks, from Northamptonshire, who is known as Council House Mama on Instagram and TikTok, tries to break the cycle of parents comparing themselves with false representations online.

About 68% of women and 57% of men with mental health problems are parents, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

To mark Parental Mental Health Awareness Day, Brooks said: "People are reaching for relatable, honest and unpolished versions of an Instagram mum... that's where I slot in."

She said she had noticed a "turning of the tide" in what people were consuming on social media, with her posts shining a light on the positives of living as a mother on a budget.

"People are very used to the aesthetic and Instagrammable version of motherhood," she said.

"A lot of mums feel as if they're not doing enough because of the people on social media. But it's because the [influencers] have more time [than those in corporate jobs]."

Nichole Walker has been with the Milk and You charity since it first started six years ago and has worked to support mothers across Northamptonshire.

Milk and You hosts groups for mothers and fathers to ensure they are working together to support their baby, whilst recognising that both parents also need support in different ways.

"For parents, it's [about] being heard and having that safe space local to them," she said.

"It doesn't matter about your circumstances. As long as you have a baby and you need support in some way, come and see us."

KidsAid, based at the Doddridge Centre in Northampton, focuses on early intervention and approaching the whole family to support children and their parents or caregivers.

Geoff Russel-Jones, from KidsAid, said: "People can't access therapy, if at all, for a long time.

"The early intervention we're offering is really breaking through for a lot of parents."

Finding funding to cover therapy sessions for parents has been difficult in comparison to sessions for children and young people, according to Russel-Jones.

"[Waiting lists] can be detrimental to recovery," he added.

The services for parents include counselling, one-to-one psycho-education and parent support groups.

It is targeted towards adults that have experienced their own childhood trauma, struggles with mental health or have experienced distress in relation to their child's needs.

In 2024–25, 44% of those whose children accessed KidsAid services also received direct support.

Russel-Jones said: "The therapy will end when it is right for the young person as opposed to the money having run out or you've used your quota of sessions."

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