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There have been huge strides in the understanding of, and support for mothers during pregnancy and the first-year post-partum (perinatal mental health). However, it is increasingly clear that parents may experience depression beyond the perinatal period (Woolhouse et al.2015). Good maternal mental health is critical for a child?€?s development and well-being, both in the short-and long-term. Recent evidence suggests that impacts of maternal depression on child mental health may be particularly important in early childhood (Giallo et al. 2015). To date, little is known about mother?€?s experiences of depression and low mood during the toddler and pre-school years of parenting. My talk will present some early findings of a qualitative online survey study exploring mother?€?s experience of depression during this parenting period, and how their mental health difficulties affect parenting. The talk will also explore the impact of Covid-19 on maternal mental health and the pressures faced by mothers of toddlers and pre-schoolers during lockdown. A better understanding of the challenges experienced by mothers during this period will inform the development of targeted interventions and prevention efforts to promote parent?€?s mental health and emotionally well-being during the toddler and preschool years.