Series: Mothers Day isn’t enough (What actually helped) (Copy)
I pieced together this support village — and that’s the problem | 3 min read
We don’t expect people to take on complex, high-stakes roles without support.
So why do we expect new moms to?
There was so much I didn’t know when I became a mom, especially that first year. Something new came up everyday and I over-analyzed every decision.
So I started looking for support to get out of that spiral.
And I was lucky–because I had the time and resources to settle into motherhood at my own pace. Here’s what that looked like:
🌟 Mental health support (therapy, life coach): Helped me make sense of this life shift, manage my anxiety, and feel whole again. Postpartum Support International
🌟 Couples therapy: Gave me and my partner the tools to navigate tension and understand where it came from. The Fair Play Policy Institute
🌟 Peer support groups: Meeting with other moms going through the exact same thing Amma Parenting
🌟 ‘Real talk’ + education: Books, podcasts + content helped me trust my decisions. Motherly®, ParentData, Good Inside
🌟 Community: Connecting with ‘my people’ made me feel hope Chamber of Mothers
I pieced together this support village—but can’t imagine how much worse my postpartum anxiety would’ve been without it.
And that’s the problem.
There are lots of great resources, but they can be hard to find, afford, or access–especially when free time basically disappears with a newborn.
Our system leaves moms to do it alone.
So for now, we have to be proactive and demand better.
📣 If you’re pregnant (or care about someone who is):
Moms: Build your support early. Know your rights and benefits–then demand more from your employers and local reps.
Lovedones: If something feels off, say something. Call Postpartum Support International’s free hotline at 1-800-944-4773.
Health systems: Extend care beyond the 6-week postpartum visit and help mom stay connected between OB visits.
Employers and governments: Offer benefits that support the whole mom–not just return to work.
Nothing fully preps you for motherhood. But support definitely makes a difference. And moms shouldn’t have to figure this out alone.
Read more of what helped me here.
Follow the conversation on LinkedIn.
Forget the baby registry. Here’s 11 gifts new moms actually need.
Learn more about what I’m fighting for.
