Transitions: The Parenting Edition
There are few transitions in life that make a larger impact on us than becoming a parent. We go from quality sleep and managing our individual needs with a large amount of freedom, to learning the art and enduring the pain of breastfeeding, decisions to make about feeding, sleep, play, and clothing, all of which often come with contradicting opinions. If your experience is anything similar to mine, everything can feel multi-layered and complicated… incredible yet exhausting, rewarding yet impossible, joyful yet difficult. Needless to say, your beautiful baby shakes things up, big time.
As you try and master nap schedules, feeding techniques and let’s be honest, showering, your social network might be reconfiguring, your body recovering all while trying to adjust to a new family dynamic. All that said, this is a time where support for a new parent is crucial. Below are some simple activities to build well-being into your day during this challenging transition:
- Schedule time for a trusted family member or friend to be with your little one so you can do what is most needed for you. Think sleep or exercise, not chores.
- On the flip side, leave plenty of open space in your schedule so that dealing with the unexpected feels more manageable.
- Discuss your needs with your partner… or brainstorm needs if you are unsure what would make that positive difference.
- Challenge yourself to be okay with a loved one doing baby care a different way. This is a tough one, but it is what opens space for shared responsibility and ultimately, rest. It may come with learning curves and adaptation but fosters a sense of connection and trust between everyone involved in the long run.
If the above feels unmanageable or if you are experiencing signs of postpartum depression such as depressed mood, anxiety, loss of interest in things that normally bring joy including your baby, sleep disturbance, feelings of jumpiness, slowed down or edginess, or excessive feelings of guilt, our team is here to help (CAMH, 2022).
Resources:
CAMH. (n.d.). Postpartum depression. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/postpartum-depression
