Individuals and couples challenged with the major life crisis of infertility often feel a range of strong and complicated emotions as they navigate the complicated medical procedures and terminology of making a family.
When people learn you are pregnant, one of the first questions they generally ask is "how are you are feeling?" It turns out that for many women how they expected to feel when they are pregnant and how they actually feel isn't quite what had been 'advertised'. And, we're not talking about morning sickness, fatigue, feeling a little emotional, and that odd smell that comes out of nowhere.
Contrary to the popular belief that pregnancy is a biologically protective and emotionally joyful time, women are actually quite vulnerable to a spectrum of psychiatric disorders throughout the perinatal period - the time around pregnancy and postpartum. This range of disorders, more commonly referred to under the umbrella term of “postpartum depression”, is more accurately reflected by the terms postpartum or perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). In fact, 1 in 7 women who become pregnant will experience a mental health disorder during the course of their pregnancy or in the postpartum period, making PMADs the most common complication of childbirth. Additionally, 50% of women diagnosed with PMADs postpartum had an onset of their symptoms during pregnancy.
“Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built." - Dr. James C. Dobson
Conflicts with Close Friends
So, let’s talk about those close personal friendships - kids will experience more conflicts with close friends than acquaintances. When our friend says something or does something to hurt our feelings it means a lot more than if a stranger did the same thing. I’m sure we can relate to that.
But, your child’s ability to resolve conflicts will mature as they grow older and these challenges are part of that maturation.
How much do your friends mean to you? What would your life be like if you had no friends? Friends to rely on in times of crisis, and friends to share all your joys? I imagine life would be pretty dull and lonely...Friends are important...
"Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be."
Robert Bly
George Bernard Shaw said, "We live in an atmosphere of shame. We are ashamed of everything that is real about us; ashamed of ourselves, of our relatives, of our incomes, of our accents, of our opinion, of our experience, just as we are ashamed of our naked skins."
For many of us, modern life relegates parenting to an on the job experience. It's often a lonely journey and can leave one filled with anxiety and worry.
