“The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter, is love her mother.”
WORDS OF WISDOM
Self-care for Parents
Becoming a parent is perhaps one of the most rewarding life experiences one can have. For many, it can also be one of the most challenging and at times, downright exhausting period of adult life. Being a parent does not necessarily begin from the time your little bundle of joy arrives into this world. For many, becoming a parent begins from the time one decides to become a parent. From the time your little one arrives into your world at whatever age, you have essentially committed yourself to nurturing this other life for at least the next 10-20 years.
The Impact of Mental Health Disorders during Pregnancy and in the Year Following
Mental health disorders often make it extremely difficult for new and expectant mothers to get through the day, let alone manage during pregnancy, respond to the needs of their infant or attend to other children.
Recent research has revealed that many depressed mothers describe feeling no joy. Instead they feel like they are down a black hole, numb, detached, alone and unable to cope or interact with their baby or their life.
Perinatal Mental Health
Pregnancy and adjusting to a new baby can be rewarding, but also brings changes and challenges. While some days will be better than others, for some women who experience mental health problems each day is a struggle.
Bring on all the good advice … said no mum ever!
Being pregnant for the first time is one of the most incredible experiences of a woman’s life. There is the sense of wonder at the way your body unfolds, making room for this unknown being who is about to become the centre of your universe. There is also the terror, punctuated by exhaustion and uncertainty.
Busting Newborn Myths
Bringing home a newborn can feel terrifying. Especially when you have had a number of well-meaning friends and family offering their unsolicited advice and expertise. Being unable to measure up to societal expectation may leave you feeling like a failure.
Parent- Infant Attachment …what is that?
Newborns have changed very little in evolutionary terms since we emerged as a separate species when we became upright. As our pelvic shape altered to allow us to stand on two feet, and our brains grew larger from using our hands more, babies needed to be born much earlier to be able to fit through this new shaped pelvis with their now large head. This meant that our babies are born very prematurely: probably about nine months prematurely.
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