Parenting today can be one of the most rewarding experiences, and one of the most challenging. Not only are we faced with what can sometimes feel like a can-do-no-right perspective of others, we can also be very hard on ourselves. The early weeks and months of parenthood are especially difficult. While it’s normal to feel a ton of emotions, it’s also important to know the difference between the typical lows of early parenting — the baby blues — and something more serious, like postpartum mood disorders. Finding support is essential for navigating all of these “feels” and the highs and lows throughout parenthood, but especially in the beginning. Technology creates a great opportunity for connection and support, but it sometimes comes with the disadvantage of making us feel like we will never measure up with the idealized images of parenthood reflected in perfectly posed photos and well-crafted posts. What’s behind those images is what’s most important; that’s where the truth of parenting exists. Want to learn more about that truth and how you can navigate it?
Check out this great podcast about new motherhood and the complex emotions that come with it. Learn why it’s important to ask for help when you need it. And, feel more supported in taking the steps you need to care for yourself as you begin your journey into parenthood…we all deserve some loving care.
Listen here and where podcasts are found (SoundCloud, Apple, Google, and Stitcher).
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BABY BLUES AND EARLY PARENTHOOD? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT RESOURCES:
❉ POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD) AND ANXIETY: WHEN THE “BABY BLUES” DON’T FADE AWAY. It’s common for moms (and sometimes dads) to feel sad, anxious, irritable and overwhelmed after the birth of a baby. But when these feelings of the baby blues linger for more than a couple of weeks – and when you can’t find joy in connecting with your baby or engaging in other things that usually give you pleasure – you may have postpartum depression, which requires some professional treatment and support. Listen to this podcast to learn more about this important issue.
❉ NEW MOMS SHARING STORIES AND SUPPORT: HOW “THE MOMMY GROUP” PULLED TOGETHER THROUGH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION & ANXIETY, FAMILY UPHEAVAL AND THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF BECOMING PARENTS. Becoming a mother can be one of the most joyful periods in a woman’s life, but also one of the most difficult, thanks to sleeplessness, bodily changes, strain on partner relationships and, for many moms, depression and/or anxiety. But research shows that a strong support network is key to coping and moving toward a more even, positive path. Author, Elizabeth Isadora Gold shares her heartfelt story of new motherhood and her “Mommy Group” in this podcast.
❉ PARENT-INFANT ATTACHMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON LONGTERM DEVELOPMENT: A CONVERSATION ON ATTACHMENT RESEARCH WITH U OF M PROFESSOR GLENN ROISMAN. You probably know how important attachment is in the early months and years of your child’s life. But according to attachment research, how does the quality of that attachment relate to your child’s behavior and competence as a teen or even an adult? This episode of Mom Enough explores how early relationships with parents and others are the starting point for social, cognitive and biological development throughout a person’s life.
