How to Move Past the Myths of Motherhood

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In today’s episode of The Gentle Parenting Show, Kim sits down with her longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Shoshana Bennett. Dr. Shosh, a clinical psychologist, is an expert on prenatal and postpartum depression and related mood and anxiety disorders.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kim and Dr. Shosh discuss the myths that can paralyze motherhood and deeply affect a mother’s mental health. Having myths and fantasies around what parenthood should be, or what kind of parent someone should be, can create problems that don’t even need to exist. Many women are facing postpartum depression due to myths and fantasies about motherhood. Throughout the episode, Kim and Dr. Shosh discuss different myths that are damaging in motherhood. The myths they discuss:</span></p> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Myths in Pregnancy and Labor</strong></li> </ul> </div> <p> </p> <ul> <li aria-level="1"><strong>Myths with a New Baby</strong></li> </ul> <ul> <li aria-level="1">Myths About a Parent’s Self Care and Resilience </li> </ul> <ul> <li aria-level="1">Myths in Marriage and Partnership</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our favorite quotes from the episode are</span> <strong>“Whatever unfolds, you’ll have the resources to handle it. Don’t think of anything as ‘bad’ or you are ‘bad’”</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">and</span> <strong>“our worth as a parent does not change one bit based on the behavior of your child” </strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Connect With Dr. Shosh</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Connect with Dr. Shosh on</span> <a href="https://drshosh.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">her website</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">where she has resources and consultation options for dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety. </span></p>