Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to my blog. I am glad that you are here.

I am a mom who has experienced Postpartum Depression/Postpartum Mood Disorder/Perinatal Mental Illness. I now advocate for awareness of, support, and stigma removal.

I entitled my blog "It Takes A Village" in reference to the African proverb that is so commonly known. I feel very strongly that we as a society have set very high standards and expectations of new mothers to take care of their children on their own, without support or help after the first week or so.

I think we have it backwards: New Mom's need respite and support whether they are well or not. We need support and encouragement, and someone to relieve us so that we can get some sleep and time to rejuvienate.


My aim with this blog is to bring awareness to the world, and support to other Moms (and Dads) that are going through this experience. I am passionate about reducing stigma as it creates the barrier that keeps women silent and suffering. I want Moms to feel safe enough to share their story and get the support and help they need to get better.


I encourage you, if you believe you may be experiencing more than the "baby blues" to seek out help. You will not be judged or criticized. The goal of all list here on this blog are to support you and help you heal so that you may live the life you dreamed of with your child.


This blog is a work in progress, please check in often to see more updates and new information!


Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I'd Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper: Loving your Marriage After the Baby Carriage

I'd Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper: Loving Your Marriage after the Baby Carriage
I found this to be funny in places, but good as it shows both Mom's and Dad's view of life after baby.
I'd Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper: Loving Your Marriage after the Baby Carriage

My Strength is Your Illusion

One of the very troubling struggles with having postpartum depression or any other "invisible" type of illness is that those who have not experienced it can never really understand it.

For those women who are super achievers, or have been the "caretaker" of the family, it makes it just that much harder for others to see that we just can't do it anymore. We still care-take and wear the mask of superwomen to protect our husbands, children, and other family members from their own pain of watching us in pain. We try to be strong for them, and end up moving backwards in our recovery.

We are embarrassed that we have to remind them about what we are going through. We don't want to voice the struggle we go through daily to just cope with every minute we are awake. They just want everything to be as it was. They get grumpy, angry, stay in denial or withdraw emotionally when we don't heal as fast as they think we should.

What is the solution?
Take Care of Ourselves First- despite the discomfort of everyone else.
Communicate: Let our spouse and family members know the truth of how we are feeling.
Stop Being a Hero. We can't be there for everyone else if we fall into the abyss. 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Books for your Reference

                                                                        

Monday, June 21, 2010

Releasing my Resistance

Friday, June 18, 2010


I have said that I am not one of those women who wants to be a Mommy 100%; to have it as my one and only focus in life. I am slowly adapting to being a Mommy and Being Me and realizing I can be both.

I am discovering that to have peace in my mind, I must surrender my labours of love for the time being and use that energy and focus on raising my son as my ONLY labour of love. I can no longer push against the current of my life. It just doesn’t work. Resistance is futile! LOL

“With Acceptance comes Peace”.  Accepting my role, my loss of free time, spontaneity and the list of many other losses, brings me to a level where I am not so angry, not so upset or frustrated. It takes a lot of practice and I am weaving in and out of a multitude of emotions every day.

My son is 6 months old now, and I am seeing the changes in him, and the changes in myself. I wonder at the miracle of him, as his personality and individuality develop more each day. He is a gift, my gift, and what more could I ask for?

So, I wish everyone at least two days in a row of happy, up days, and next week, three days in a row of joyous days and so on, until every day gives you a glow of peace within.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

A Reflection on Nurturing Oneself

I am finding that it takes a lot of time to be a woman, to have a feeling of space, and breath;  a chance to sink into myself.
As long as I take time every morning to light a candle to my life---it remains my life.
But, if I hurry into the day without that small moment of quiet, 
then I have already lost myself, and the day.

The task for me is to care daily for myself and my life, to love and to nurture 
within myself, moment by moment,
the quality of quiet presence--quietly being present to my life--which sanctifies it
---to live as if the candle is lighted.

(Author Unknown by me- I came across this writing in one of my mother's old book boxes- typed onto a piece of paper)