“The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter, is love her mother.”
WORDS OF WISDOM
To Honour Mothers Everywhere
BECOMING A MOTHER …. nothing compares
Time is running out for my friend. We are sitting at lunch when she casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of “starting a family.” What she means is that her biological clock has begun its countdown and she is being forced to consider the prospect of motherhood.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
Becoming a mother for the first time changes you. You are no longer responsible for only you, but have at least one other person completely reliant on you. This is often the time where it is easy to forget you are not only a mum or dad, but you also remain an individual with needs and aspirations of self.
The Motherhood ideal
Many of us enter the world of motherhood with higher expectations than, as soon becomes evident, can possibly be achieved. I love this quote from author, Debra Gilbert Rosenberg, which I think sums this up so beautifully:
20 Ways Motherhood Changed Me
Before I was a Mum
#1 I never looked into tiny teary eyes and cried.
#2 I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
#3 I never recognised the feeling of triumph in getting a baby to sleep.
#4 I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on or peed on.
#5 I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
Healthy Attachments
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.
Raising Extraordinary Kids
After almost 35 years ( to the day), I have had the absolute privilege of walking side by side with thousands of families – families experiencing family violence, suffering from addictions, life-changing mental health diagnosis, families with complex medical needs, children without families, and families who have suffered devastating losses of children.
The First 7 Pillars of Optimising Child Development & Building Resilient Adults
Build self-belief in your kids
It is self -belief rather than ability that holds many kids back from achieving their best. Put effort into developing the courage to be imperfect, so that kids aren’t afraid of messing up. It is through mistakes that kids learn and grow.
64 Positive Things to Say to Your Kids
“You never know the words that your kids will carry with them the rest of their lives.
How Can Parents Influence The Teaching of Childhood Empathy?
“There is more to human empathy than merely sharing another creature’s pain.”
Neuroscientists Jean Decety and Philip L. Jackson (2004) argue that human empathy requires several components …
The Emotional Well-being of Babies and Young Children
At the very beginning of family – with the much anticipated arrival of a brand new baby – excited parents undoubtedly want the very best for their newborn child. Often physical needs, such as comfort, warmth, hygiene, health and safety are foremost in parents’ minds. There may even be plans in place for future needs, such as childcare, health insurance and school choices. But what of a newborn’s mental health? A somewhat mystical consideration perhaps. Who knew that babies had a mental health and what is the best way to optimise this precious commodity for future wellbeing?
An Opportunity to Re-discover that Silver Lining to the Corona Lockdown for New Parents
After months of preparing for dreamy newborn days with partner by your side, friends and family visiting with hearty congratulations, admiration, gifts, love and hugs. Having the opportunity to proudly present your warm and soft, rather cute, newborn to the world, fresh with that unique newborn smell.
It’s Ok To Be Frightened Right Now
It’s Okay to be frightened right now … you are bringing a baby into a brave new world
Nobody said it was going to be easy. Nor will this changed time be over quickly. The world is changed forever. There is a great unknown and so many unanswerable questions, at the moment. The thought of being pregnant and having a baby at this historic time, with so much up in the air, may feel somewhat overwhelming, even frightening, but it WILL be OK.
Newborn Sleep Patterns
The average newborn sleeps much of the day and night, waking only for feedings every few hours. It is often hard for new parents to know how long and how often a newborn should sleep. Unfortunately, there is no set schedule at first and newborns mostly remain on a twenty-four hour clock — and when they are first home from hospital they often think they are supposed to be awake at night and sleep during the day.
8 Infant Sleep Tips Every Parent Should Know
In order to better understand the ‘how-to’s’ of getting you and your baby to enjoy going to sleep and staying asleep, here are some important principles of sleep that every new parent should be aware of.
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.
Grandparents have so much to offer
Promoting and encouraging our children to connect and spend time with their grandparents is one of the most important things as parents that we can do.
Often it feels like the input we have as parents in our children’s lives is foremost and holds the greatest influence over their development and worldview and, of course, it is important- it should be. But children are generally born into existing extended families and should be encouraged to spend time there. The extended family members can provide a unique and influential role in our children’s lives, as well as be a practical and emotional support base for the parents.
When it takes a village
The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” expresses an underlying truth regardless of where you are situated in the world, your culture and your social economic status. This African proverb brings to light the community’s role in raising children. Families, particularly mothers, and their children are part of a larger group within the community, extended kinship and social structure. Every parent who loves his/ her child(ren) know that raising children who resonate one’s values and who go on to become well-adjusted adults who contribute to society is not easy.
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.
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