Topic Tuesday // Mental health challenges in parenthood // Tues. 21 June, 7pm AEST

We have half an hour left if the Topic Tuesday so please ask if you have any more questions

Such a great and considered list of ways to care for yourself @ssc... both by doing and chosing not to do. As a parent this sort of flexibility is crucial with the best laid plans often quickly eroded

Knowing what helps with your mood, when to push yourself, and when to surrender and allow a moment of 'not being up to it' is an example of self compassion.

Can you think of other ways to show yourself the compassion you would show others?

@PANDA and @Squirrel, it seems like some of the important things for managing mental health as a parent are asking for support when things are hard; recognising that it can be difficult to reach out and that we might have negative experiences before we find the right support; and trying to make a little bit of time each day for self-care. Are there any other key things that parents can be aware of in terms of staying mentally healthy while also managing the demands of parenting?

Being a parent and having a mental illness is a very difficult and challenging time.

Struggling with depression, anxiety and BPD I find it so difficult to be a good parent. I have a feeling that my depression actually started 20 yrs ago when I gave birth to my third child. We had a family member die and the funeral and a birth all within a week.

And then i came home from hospital after 4 days to a home with 2 other children (4,3) and a mother in law as my father in law passed away.

I struggled for a long time and I think that was the start of my declining depression.

I am so anxious tonight, the panic button has hit me big time. I know I wrote somewhere on here (another thread) abut my 20 yr old son going overseas for 3 1/2 weeks on his own.

Well he is leaving this Sunday, in 5 days time. I do know and understand that kids leave home when they are adults and i am so lucky to have 3 children still at home. I know i will be sad when my kids leave home but also excited for them as they begin the next journey in their life.

But when it's the first time a child is going overseas and on their own - OMG i am stressing. what if something happens, too many what if's.

i know I can't have them all at home with me forever and i wouldn't want that either. Actually now that i think about it - i was married at 20!!!!

It is normal for a mum to worry and stress, i think we as parents never stop worrying. But it is not helping my anxiety and depression.

How do i cope for the next 3 1/2 weeks? i am feeling very emotional thinking about sunday and going to the airport to see my son off.