Mum admits she was ‘anxious’ about loving her second child as much as her first

We're all in the same boat when it comes to this parenting thing.

Every mum and dad is just muddling through, making it up as they go along and worried that they're doing something wrong. That's why we love parents who open up about how they're really feeling - it's pretty likely that we've all felt the same way at some stage. Blogger Louise Pentland is being praised by fellow mums for admitting that she was worried about being able to love her second child as much as her first. Louise welcomed her second daughter, Pearl, last January. She's also mum to seven-year-old Darcy.

"I was really anxious that I wouldn’t be able to love Pearl the same way I love Darcy, who feels just so so special to me," she wrote in a recent Instagram post. "I didn’t want to talk about that much because I felt pregnant women were supposed to instantly gush with love for their growing babe and I was still fearful. Anyone else felt that?"

Louise, 33, explained that she needn't have worried as her heart "doubled" with love upon the arrival of baby Pearl. She reminded fellow mums that every parent has doubted themselves along the way. "Essentially, and I hope you don’t mind the bluntness here - it’s ok to be scared sh*tless that you might be a crap mum, your heart will surprise you." Lots of Louise's followers shared their own worries in the comments, reinforcing the idea that we all go through the same thing.

"I was SO worried about this when I was pregnant with my 2nd. My girls are 11 months apart, and I couldn't see how I could love my 2nd child the same way I loved my first." "I am feeling these feelings so much and I feel awful ? my daughter is my life and it’s terrifying me that I will mess up when my second arrives. I’m so glad I read this to know I’m not the only one feeling it." "I have this fear now! Due another baby boy in March and I’m terrified I won’t be able to give them both the same amount of love." "As a father I think it’s important to highlight that I also had the same feelings when my wife was expecting our second child. The idea that my love & attention would be taken away from my eldest made me feel guilty!"