If you are a new parent, you may often hear the phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child.” When I was a first-time, unshowered, and exhausted mom of twins, this phrase stuck out to me.
As a new mother, it can be hard to relinquish control. You may feel like you are the only one who can care for your child properly. As challenging as it can be, don’t fall into this isolating thought. If you are lucky enough to have loved ones that want to help care for your child, let them!
Motherhood is a job that requires hard work – you deserve to receive support too! Don’t try to do this motherhood gig all by yourself. Listen to your needs and honor your mental and physical health! This self-care can involve letting people help you cook, watch your kid(s), run errands, or even listen to your worries when you need to vent. I allowed people to help me, and it made a world of difference in my life! I let my friends bring over meals, load my dishwasher, hold my babies, and do my laundry. No one judged me, and it was completely normal.
I sit here and ask myself, “Why is there still SUCH a stigma for us as grown adults to ask for help?” “Why is society still holding mothers to impossible standards?”
Many of us still hush around talking about our mental health, especially in the realm of motherhood. This should not be!
Mothers deserve to be supported with open arms and treated like who they really are at the end of the day, human beings!
The care and support the village gave the infant shouldn’t be limited to childhood. We should support this child in every stage of life. Each member of the village should always be treated with the kindness and care they received when they were younger. When the child grows older and becomes a parent themselves, the support should live on!
What does support look like to you? Do you experience a stigma when reaching out for help?
I am passionate about changing this societal idea! I advocate for promoting therapeutic services to moms, and I will continue screaming the importance of this support from the mountain tops! Receiving mental health services should be more normalized; someone doesn’t have to receive therapeutic support only when it’s their last resort. Help should be available all steps of the way! Mothers should know they are never alone and deserve to live happy healthy lives!
About the Author
Jackie Caputo is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides therapy in Woodland Hills, CA. She also provides online therapy in California to individuals throughout the state.