Becoming a Parent: Guilt, Failure, an Unrealistic Standards: EP 21
Most people use the 9 months of pregnancy as a time to learn how babies work (generally) and stock up on essential baby gear so they’ll be ready when said baby arrives. The fact that you will become a parent, and this is likely the largest, most abrupt, and often challenging transition you will ever undergo in your life is barely considered. And let’s be clear, becoming a parent is a massive, wondrous, and immensely painful transition. It is a physical, mental, and emotional transition on the highest order. Which we give nary a thought until it happens. Then BOOM. There it is.
Recently the transition to parenthood has been discussed in major news outlets (The Goddess Myth by Time and The Birth of the Mother by NYT). The titles somewhat unfairly focus on “mothers” but the reality is the issues apply to all parents (yes Dad’s struggle too!).
In this episode, Melissa and I break down some of the themes of becoming a parent including:
* The identity transition
* How learning from or parents about parenting helps (or hurts)
* Cherishing every moment
* The fantasy of parenthood
* Parental guilt
* What can we do to help ease our way through this transition
Links to Additional Resources
Stay At Home Mom Guilt (Melissa’s blog!)
Confessions of a Domestic Failure
Take a listen here or check it out on iTunes!
Got a question for a future Q&A episode? Fire away at [email protected].
Podcast Sponsor
Check out the Reverie power bed! After you have kids your bed turns into a home base: the place you sleep, night parent infants, read books with older children, gather for family movie night, etc. The Reverie power bed can make your existing bed more comfortable for sleep. You can raise the head of the bed for easier night feeding/nursing. You can adjust the bed to aid in C-section recovery. Got swollen ankles? Raise your feet while you sleep. There are loads of ways this can help make your bed more comfortable and more functional for your whole family.
Check them out to learn more or follow them on Twitter or Instagram!