Probably every parent has or will identify with feeling this way at some point. Remember though that not everyone talks openly about it. It’s easy if you scroll through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and look at your friends and family’s pictures and posts to conclude that everyone else is having a ball, while your mind can only offer the thought that you’re tired on repeat and occasionally interrupt itself to suggest more coffee (or is that just my mind today? I doubt it). People often share their highlights but not their lowlights on social media and it helps to remember that flattering filters, good haircuts and perfect makeup can be great at covering the tracks of hidden tears. If you think about people you know well, consider how many of them openly talk about experiencing stress, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Also consider how many of them have physical health problems that you know of? How many have caring commitments whether to children or to adults? How many have money worries, family problems or work stress? Of the other parents you know, how many of them have you ever seen on a bad day? For most people I know well, they have a mix of strengths and challenges in their life, and a mix of good and not so good days as a result. We all have tough days where we could benefit from a little more self-compassion and self-care as parents.
So here’s a few resources that might help if this sounds like you –
Books
The Joy of Parenting by Amy Murrell and Lisa Coyne
Get out of your mind and into your life by Steven Hayes
The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Stress Reduction: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Manage Stress, Build Resilience, and Create the Life You Want
Stress Less, Live More: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Can Help You Live a Busy yet Balanced Life
Parenting Your Anxious Child with Mindfulness and Acceptance: A Powerful New Approach to Overcoming Fear, Panic, and Worry Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Mindfulness Apps and audio resources
Headspace https://www.headspace.com/
Smiling Mind https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
https://contextualscience.org/free_audio – This links to free mindfulness audio exercises for the public on the Association of Contextual Behavioural Science website
https://contextualscience.org/act_tedtalks – This links to a choice of ACT TED talks which might appeal depending on what it is that you find stressful
Home
Offers a searchable directory of charities providing mental health support to pregnant women and new parents in Scotland
Mummy ACT 