The Mother’s Blog

Where motherhood meets realness, compassion, and practical tools for your well-being.

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The Essential Guide to Postpartum

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Emotional Regulation for Moms

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The Mental Load for Moms

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MOST RECENT POSTS

“I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: Reclaiming Your Identity After Baby
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

“I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: Reclaiming Your Identity After Baby

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t even recognize who I am anymore,” you’re not alone. So many moms feel lost in the swirl of postpartum changes, constant caregiving, and pressure to do it all. In this blog, we explore why identity loss is such a common part of motherhood, and how you can begin reconnecting with yourself in gentle, realistic ways. You’ll learn how to understand what’s really behind that feeling of disconnection, why it’s not your fault, and small steps to start feeling grounded and whole again.

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Postpartum Q & A: Real Questions Moms Are Asking
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Postpartum Q & A: Real Questions Moms Are Asking

The early weeks of motherhood can feel like an emotional whirlwind- beautiful and brutal all at once. If you’ve found yourself crying more than you expected, worrying constantly, or wondering why you don’t quite feel like yourself, you’re not alone. In this Q&A-style guide, we’re answering the real questions postpartum moms are quietly asking online- with compassion, validation, and the reassurance you deserve.

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When Motherhood Isn’t What You Expected: The Complex Emotions of New Motherhood
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

When Motherhood Isn’t What You Expected: The Complex Emotions of New Motherhood

Motherhood isn’t always the blissful experience we’re told to expect. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or wondering why you don’t feel “happy” all the time, this post is for you. We explore the complex emotions of early motherhood- like guilt, anxiety, and grief, and explain why they’re more common (and more valid) than you think. You’ll also learn practical tools from postpartum-informed therapy to help you feel more grounded, supported, and less alone.

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Feeling Disconnected From Your Baby? Understanding Postpartum Bonding Challenges
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Feeling Disconnected From Your Baby? Understanding Postpartum Bonding Challenges

Bonding with your baby doesn’t always happen instantly and if you’re feeling disconnected, you’re not alone. Many new moms quietly wonder, “Why am I not bonding with my baby?” In this post, we’ll explore why postpartum bonding challenges happen, how to recognize the signs, and gentle ways to nurture connection with support and compassion.

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Postpartum Anxiety vs. “Normal” New Mom Worry: How to Tell the Difference
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Postpartum Anxiety vs. “Normal” New Mom Worry: How to Tell the Difference

Are you a new mom constantly questioning if your worries are normal or something more? This blog post breaks down the difference between typical postpartum concerns and postpartum anxiety, helping you understand the signs, why it happens, and how therapy can help. Learn what to watch for, how to get support, and why you’re not failing- you’re just human. If the weight of motherhood feels like too much, you’re not alone, and there’s a path to relief.

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Struggling in Postpartum? Understanding Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain Can Help
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Struggling in Postpartum? Understanding Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain Can Help

Postpartum can feel like an emotional rollercoaster and you’re not alone in wondering why it’s so hard. In this post, we explore the powerful concept of clean vs. dirty pain to help you understand your struggles with more clarity and compassion. Learn how to tell the difference, why it matters, and what you can do to feel more supported and less stuck.

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Scary Thoughts After Baby? What No One Tells You About Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Scary Thoughts After Baby? What No One Tells You About Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts

If you’re having scary, unwanted thoughts about your baby, you’re not alone and you’re not a bad mom. These intrusive thoughts are more common than you think and may be a sign of postpartum OCD, a misunderstood but treatable condition. This blog helps you understand what’s happening in your mind and how to find support that actually helps.

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Why You Might Still Be Grieving Your Birth Experience (Even with a Healthy Baby)
Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Parr Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Parr

Why You Might Still Be Grieving Your Birth Experience (Even with a Healthy Baby)

You’ve been told, “All that matters is a healthy baby.” But what about how you feel after birth? If you’re carrying sadness, anger, or grief about your birth experience, you’re not alone and you’re not ungrateful. Many moms silently struggle with birth trauma, even when everything “looks fine” from the outside. In this blog, we explore why it’s normal to grieve your birth, how trauma can show up postpartum, and how therapy, including EMDR, can help you process what happened, ease emotional triggers, and feel proud of your story. Your experience matters. Healing is possible.

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Sleep Deprivation in Postpartum: How to Cope When You’re Beyond Exhausted
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Sleep Deprivation in Postpartum: How to Cope When You’re Beyond Exhausted

Postpartum sleep deprivation isn’t just “part of the job”- it can shake your sense of self, hijack your emotions, and make even the smallest tasks feel impossible. If you’re deep in the fog of exhaustion, this blog post is for you. I’m breaking down why sleep feels so out of reach in early motherhood and sharing therapist-backed strategies to help you rest, regulate, and feel more like you again. Because you deserve support- not just survival.

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Treating Postpartum Depression Naturally: Gentle, Holistic Support for New Moms
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Treating Postpartum Depression Naturally: Gentle, Holistic Support for New Moms

You love your baby, but lately, you don’t feel like yourself. If you’re tearful, anxious, disconnected, or just getting through the day on autopilot, you’re not alone. Postpartum depression is real, and it’s more common than most people realize. The good news? You don’t have to suffer in silence and you don’t have to go straight to medication if that doesn’t feel right for you. In this post, I’ll explore how to treat postpartum depression naturally using gentle, research-backed tools that support both your emotional well-being and your nervous system.

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5 Common Myths About Postpartum Mental Health (That Are Keeping Moms Stuck)
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

5 Common Myths About Postpartum Mental Health (That Are Keeping Moms Stuck)

Think postpartum mental health struggles are just the baby blues or that they’ll go away on their own? You’re not alone, and you’ve likely been misled. In this validating post, we unpack 5 common myths that keep new moms stuck in shame, silence, and self-blame. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unlike yourself in motherhood, this is for you.

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Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes in Postpartum: What’s Really Going On
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes in Postpartum: What’s Really Going On

Why do I feel so emotional after birth and again after weaning?

This blog breaks down the real, biological reasons behind postpartum mood swings, anxiety, and emotional crashes after stopping breastfeeding. If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal,” this post will help you understand what’s happening in your body and how therapy can support your healing.

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Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Triggers + Coping Strategies
Postpartum Melissa Parr Postpartum Melissa Parr

Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Triggers + Coping Strategies

Struggling with constant worry and racing thoughts after having a baby? You’re not alone. Postpartum anxiety is a common but often overlooked condition that can make early motherhood feel overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll explore the symptoms of postpartum anxiety, common triggers, and practical coping strategies to help you regain a sense of balance. Read on to learn how to navigate this challenging time with support and self-care.

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