Parenting triggers everything.

As a woman in her mid-30s, I entered parenthood feeling confident that I had it all figured out. I had a thriving career, financial stability, and I felt mentally prepared for this new chapter. After all, I’m a mental health professional with all the tools and education to support a well-adjusted pregnancy.

Or so I thought. My journey through perinatal depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was a stark reminder that parenting has a way of uncovering layers of emotion I never anticipated.

Do you feel like parenting is more difficult for you than others? Do tasks like booking your child’s appointments, reading daycare or school emails, or managing extra-curricular activities feel daunting? Do you find the noise of your child's playing or crying elicits a more extreme response from you than it does from your partner? Or do you feel like your child might be different in some ways from other children their age, making the already difficult job of being a parent even harder?

I remember the moment very clearly, eight years ago exactly. I was strolling through the mall with my newborn son, who was only about a month old. I was finding the adjustment to motherhood to be very difficult. It was hard for me to reconcile the overwhelming love and joy I felt experiencing being a mom for the first time, with the longing of missing my child-free life; one with uninterrupted sleep, a mentally stimulating job, and endless time for my self-care and my relationships.

Self-help books have been popular for many years and for good reason. They offer practical advice, inspiration, and guidance on a variety of topics related to personal growth and well-being. Whether you're looking to improve your relationships, increase your confidence, or simply find more happiness in life, self-help books can be a valuable resource.

Becoming a new parent is an exciting and life-changing experience, but for many women, it can also be accompanied by feelings of anxiety and stress. Postpartum anxiety is a common condition that affects up to one in seven women after giving birth. If you're experiencing postpartum anxiety, you're not alone, and there are many effective ways to manage and overcome this condition. In this blog post, we'll explore the causes and symptoms of postpartum anxiety and offer practical tips for dealing with this challenging condition.