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

CherryBombSenior Contributor01 June 2016, 10:40 pm AEST

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

Mental health challenges in parenthood: Speaking the unspeakable

Parenting is challenging. Change can happen in every area of wellbeing: physical, emotional and social, and the impact on daily functioning can be huge. Knowing when and how to speak up about the difficulties of parenting is complex. There are often expectations that define parenthood as something to be enjoyed. But sometimes these expectations don't match reality. Join us this Topic Tuesday with our special guests from PANDA to talk about how to speak the unspeakable.

Two things you can do now:

1. Register as a member of the forums, which enables you to participate in the session

2. Hit the like button below to receive an email reminder on the night

3. Can't make it? Leave your question below to be answered during the session

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

PANDASenior Contributor21 June 2016, 8:57 pm AEST

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

Hi @BlueBay. Parenting and mental illness are a really hard combination. Being responsible for the life of another is hard enough when you can predict your mood, energy levels and motivation. It is almost impossible when you feel you have limited control over these things.

What can be helpful is taking control of the things you can. Establishing routines you can follow even when not on top of things; having back up plans; and most importantly, having language that is age appropriate for your children... so what they see and what they hear match.

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

Unknown userMember21 June 2016, 8:58 pm AEST

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

Hello @BlueBay. Thank you for sharing your experience.

That must have been an incredibly difficult time for you. Sometimes it's not until much later that the early signs become clear. As @Appleblossom suggested, perhaps there was also less support available at that time.

As you say, worry and stress are normal for mums. Do you have some appointments lined up with your psychologist this week? Or are there some other things you can put in place over the next few weeks, such as catching up with a friend once a week or treating yourself to a massage or movie or haircut?

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

SquirrelSenior Contributor21 June 2016, 9:05 pm AEST

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

Thank you to the forum community for such great concerns and queries to discuss with regard to parenting and mental illness. See you next time