Sharing the Mental Load Means Letting Go of Some of It
A little while ago, I wrote about the mental load and how exhausting it can be to be the person who remembers everything. (You can check out that blog here) The person who knows when the permission slip is due. The person who remembers we’re nearly out of toilet paper. The person who knows what […]
Birth Trauma Awareness: Holding Space for Every Experience
For many women, birth is spoken about as a single moment of joy — something to be remembered as “the happiest day of your life.” We see the photos of smiling parents holding a newborn baby, hear stories of overwhelming love, and are often told that as long as mum and baby are healthy, that […]
Being the Default Parent: The Mental Load No One Can See (But Everyone Feels)
This blog actually started, very unglamorously, in a conversation between three successful women with demanding careers sitting at the lunch table. We were talking about dinner. Not in a “what’s your favourite recipe” kind of way. More in a: “What are you cooking?”“I don’t know yet.”“Same.”“He just text me ‘i’m going to the shops, what […]
Letting Go of Mum Guilt: How Having Your Own Hobbies Makes You a Better Parent
If you’ve ever felt that twinge of guilt for taking time for yourself while your kids are around, you’re not alone. “Mum guilt” is real—it’s that nagging feeling that you should always be doing more for your children, even at the expense of your own needs. But here’s the truth: taking care of yourself isn’t […]
When Every Second Counts: A Mother’s First Aid Story
When I was a tween and teen, I volunteered with St John Ambulance. Every Monday night we’d meet at an old, dusty hall to practise first aid. Sometimes we’d head out to parks for mock scenarios, and occasionally I’d put on my uniform and attend events as the first aider on duty. I loved it. […]
Supporting Partners & Support People During the Perinatal Period
Having a baby is really hard. It’s tiring, it’s emotional, it’s draining, there is a lot going on. It’s hard! Pregnancy and early parenthood are often framed around the birthing parent, but partners and support people also face their own emotional journey. Recognising and supporting them is essential — not only for their wellbeing, but […]
Anticipatory Anxiety in New Parents and Support People: The Shadow of the Past
Becoming a parent or a primary support person is a profound life transition. Alongside excitement and joy, it often brings a heavy undercurrent of worry — anticipatory anxiety. This anxiety arises as we look ahead to the unknown: the birth, the baby’s needs, managing work alongside family life, and simply the question, “Am I going […]