Antonia The Life Coach

Parenting isn’t meant to be easy but sometimes social media makes us feel like we’re doing it wrong.

As a mum of two & trainee psychotherapist, I think one of the things we underestimate about parenting and child development is just how much of it is supposed to be messy.

Children have tantrums.
They push boundaries.
They get overwhelmed.
They say no to everything.
They test us.

And sometimes, despite everything we know about gentle parenting, emotional regulation and positive parenting, we still end the day completely exhausted wondering if we handled it badly.

I know I’ve had plenty of those days.
The goal isn’t to raise a child who never struggles.

It’s to give them enough connection, boundaries and emotional safety to keep learning through the difficult bits.

Sometimes we need that reminder as parents too. What part of parenting do you find hardest right now? Tell me below.

And if you know another mum who needs this reminder, share it with her or save it for a difficult day. 🤍

I think we talk about postpartum mental health as though you have to reach a very obvious point of crisis before your experience becomes serious enough to matter.

But psychological distress doesn’t always look like falling apart.

Sometimes it looks like functioning.

Going to work.
Getting the children dressed.
Making dinner.
Replying to messages.

And quietly wondering why you don’t feel like yourself anymore.

I’m a mum of two and a trainee psychotherapist, and the more I learn about maternal mental health, the more I realise how easily mothers can normalise their own distress.

Especially when there is always an explanation.

I’m tired.
The baby isn’t sleeping.
I’m just overwhelmed.
Surely, It will get easier.

And sometimes it will.

But sometimes those things can also make it harder to recognise when you need more support.

You can love your children completely and still resent motherhood sometimes.

You can be incredibly grateful and still feel anxious.

You can have a healthy baby and still struggle psychologically.

And you don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis before you take those feelings seriously. If there’s one thing I want more mothers to know, it’s this - You don’t have to prove that you’re struggling enough to deserve support.

Follow antonia ↠ motherhood psychology for more psychology, motherhood and women’s mental health. 🤍