My first year as a mother of two, was the hardest year of my life. It was the year that I didn’t recognize myself. The year that I felt like a shell of the person I “used to be”. The year that I suffered from postpartum depression. Like many mothers, I didn’t recognize my mental illness until a full year of suffering. I was too busy keeping my infant and toddler fed, happy, and healthy. I had accepted that feeling frustrated, angry, and sad, was my new normal. “This must be w

Most parents and guardians are throwing away their tissues from recently celebrating their child's graduation. But in the next couple of months, those tissues will be coming back as kids will be sent off to college. It's common for parents to start feeling some anxiety around their kids setting off into the world on their own. You've put so much of you into them and now, they're off on their personal journey! It's not always an easy transition for parents, so, I created a qu

When you teach your child “calm breathing”, you are using a technique that works to slow down his/her breathing, combatting upset, stressed and anxious feelings. Teaching a child to use calm breathing to regulate their emotions is important because it shows them how to change their breathing to minimize the effects of their emotions. Your child can learn to change short, shallow breaths that can cause hyperventilation to deep, long breaths that help create a feeling of intern

Being a single parent is already a hard enough task all on it's own... add dating to the mix and it feels almost impossible. But it can be done. Meeting the right person to accept you and your child is a big deal. Enormous one, really. It's not something to take lightly and should be done with a lot of thought. 4 simple rules on dating as a single parent: Rule #1: Be upfront that you are a parent. I don't mean your first initial conversation, but let it be known soone

Introducing your children/child to your new partner is a big milestone in your relationship and it shouldn't be taken lightly. Many single parents struggle with the "when" and "how". The "When" is very selective and individual. Everyone is different and "when" might feel sooner than someone else who would rather wait. The "When" I think it's important to have the discussion with your new partner and see if they are comfortable with meeting. Are your kids ready? Introducin

I recently wrote about Post Partum Depression (PPD) in It's Called Post Partum Depression: Part 1, where I talked about the signs of PPD and the differences between Baby Blues and PPD. What to can do if you are suffering from Post Partum Depression (PPD)In cases of the normal “baby blues,” often all a new mom needs is reassurance and some more practical help. Engaging the dad to be more helpful, joining a support group for new parents, or finding other sources of support so t

Relationships are hard enough, add a baby and you're in for a roller a coaster of fun! When I got pregnant and had a baby, no one told me just how hard it would be on my relationship with my partner. Sure, I expected to be stressed, sleep deprived and just plain tired... but never really thought that it would effect my relationship to the point where reconnecting felt almost impossible at times. Some of us might be lucky and the new addition to the duo won't put a single dent

No one expects it. No one ever says, “I’ll have post partum depression”. But it happens. It creeps up when you least expect it and it can be hard. Women don’t anticipate going through post partum depression since they’re told that being a mom will be the happiest moment in their lives. Though this is true, it is also the most terrifying moment in their life. You will love your baby more than you have ever thought you could love another human being and yet at the same time it

Playing with your child is an important part of their psychological development. Studies have proven that playing with your child in a positive environment can help them develop the skill to interact with others. They are learning to feel secure and engaged. It will also help shape their behaviour and relationship with others as an adult. What is a positive environment? A positive environment is where a parent and child play, with no expectations. In other words, taking a sim