Two months ago I gave birth to my first child- a baby girl. I feel blessed to have her, and there are moments when I am blissfully happy in her presence, but I never realized how hard parenting would be! Most days I feel completely exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, and moody. I never felt insecure in my job, but I don’t know if I am doing things “right” as a parent, and every time I go on social media I am inundated with images of women who seem to be doing it all so perfectly. I don’t feel like I have anyone to talk to about my imperfect experience with motherhood. And then I think about all these things that I used to love doing that are no longer part of my life right now- working out, hanging out with friends, and going on dates with my husband. I want to feel like myself again- happier and more fulfilled, but when and how will I get there? Can you help me?
Absolutely! You have come to the right place! And congratulations on the birth of your baby girl 🙂
At Emily Cook Therapy, we get it. We understand how challenging it is to be a new mama, and how it can often feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster. One moment you might feel elated as your daughter coos in your arms, while the next moment you are weepy because you can’t join your friends for an impromptu happy hour that night. It is also common for new moms to have changes in their hormone levels, which can dramatically impact their moods. Couple that with sleep deprivation, the physical demands of new motherhood, the sudden loss of the “pre-baby life” and the freedom it offered — and things can look pretty grim at times. Being present for a newborn all day (every day!) can feel extremely isolating and lonely. Your body is in flux and it seems impossible to find time to be active. Relationships with your partner and friends may be changing, too.
It sounds like you’re wondering to yourself…
When am I going to feel like myself again?
When will my body feel normal?
When will I find time to socialize with other moms who understand what I am going through?
How do I navigate going back to work?
How do I find time to connect with my partner?
How do I feel confident in my parenting decisions?
You don’t have to deal with these questions alone. Mama Groove, Emily Cook Therapy’s support group for new mamas, is starting soon. We want you to join us to discuss questions like these with other new mamas!
This 6 week group, led by Caryn Malkus, licensed marriage and family therapist & dance instructor, is designed specifically for moms of babies from 8 weeks to 8 months. Together, in a safe and nonjudgmental space, new moms will explore the joys, challenges, and imperfect experiences that characterize motherhood. It is an incredible opportunity to authentically build friendships, discover solutions to problems, share resources, learn new parenting strategies, and even exercise with our babies! That’s right! Babywearing dance is all the rage right now, and it is an amazing way for you to bond with your baby and have fun, while also working up a sweat! Just show up with your baby and a carrier, and leave the rest to us!
Contact us today to sign up for the second group of Mama Groove — sessions starting in July! Mama Groove is a support group focused on movement, meaning, and motherhood. Let us help you start on your path towards being a happier, more fulfilled mama!
This post was written by Caryn Malkus, a licensed couple and family therapist and the leader of Mama Groove at Emily Cook Therapy in Bethesda, MD.