A Mother’s Return to Work
There are many myths of motherhoods, but one that has been perpetuated is the idea that mothers can “do it all”. We can be a full time mom, have a full time career, be a wife, partner, friend, daughter, community volunteer, and more. When you google “working mom”, images of mothers at their laptops bouncing […]
Rethinking Postpartum
In our western culture, we have come to celebrate the mother who is “bounces back” to her old life as quickly as possible. Instead, what if we redefined success in this postpartum period? What if we celebrated the mother who stays still? In her book, The First Forty Days, Heng Ou writes, “Somehow, a pervasive […]
Treating Symptoms of Postpartum Depression with Social Support & Connection
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health condition that affects many new mothers. It can be caused by hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the stress of adjusting to life with a new baby. While postpartum depression can be a serious condition that requires medical attention, there are also several non-medical strategies that can help […]
Connections in Motherhood
Cultivating relationships in pregnancy and postpartum Children often make it look easy, but making friends as an adult is actually quite difficult and for busy parents, it can be even harder. I would argue that as a new mother, having access to supportive relationships and spaces to gather with fellow moms is critical in the […]
Classic “advice” for new moms (or moms of young kids). Edited to be actually helpful. Illustrations by Mary Catherine Starr
Amazing illustrations by Mary Catherine Starr, a New England-based graphic designer, yoga teacher, illustrator, and mother of two. Check out more of her work on her personal page. Sometimes a picture (or 8, in this case) is worth a thousand words. Starr illustrates the frustration new moms often hear when receiving (well meaning, but usually […]
When to say “Yes” and when to say “No” illustrations by Sophie Lucido Johnson
Amazing illustrations by Sophie Lucido Johnson, artist, author, and New Yorker cartoonist. Check out more of her work on her personal page. Sometimes a picture (or 6, in this case) is worth a thousand words. Lucido illustrates the difficult work of identifying, accepting, and communicating your own needs.
“Enough”
As we approach the end of the year, I’d like to pose a question to you. How often does the fear of “scarcity”, of not having or doing enough drive your decisions and guide your emotions? Did I do enough? Was I a good enough mother? Did I show up enough for my family and […]
The many, many costs of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding isn’t free — and it isn’t a solution to the national baby formula shortage. By Aubrey Hirsch, Vox “According to estimates by Inc. Contributor, Amy Nelson, the amount of time spent breast-feeding in a year is nearly equivalent to the hours worked in a full-time job. Only there’s no pay. When you tell lactating parents […]
Recommended Readings for Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting and often overwhelming time full of change, anticipation, and for many – some pretty uncomfortable physical sensations. For anyone looking for emotionally attuned literature that is also grounded in research, check out the recommended readings below! “There is no right or wrong way to be pregnant, to become a mother, to […]
Recommended Readings for the 4th Trimester
Once the baby is born, the last thing you probably have on your mind is finding time to sit down with a good book. The first 3 months after birth can feel like a whirlwind, but it can also be a time to practice slowing down. Reading can be a wonderful coping tool to manage […]