Series: The next six books (Hunt, Gather, Parent)
For: The mom who feels like she’s doing everything by herself | 3 min
I thought I’d get parenting advice from this book. I didn’t expect it to completely challenge my idea of a ‘good mom’ – or teach me so much about protecting my own mental health.
Here’s book #5 for new moms:
💫 Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
Michaeleen spends time with Maya, Inuit, and Hadzabe families and finds that a lot of the parenting pressures we consider ‘normal’ aren’t universal.
Here’s what I learned:
🌟 Kids can contribute: They can help with everyday tasks from an early age. I don’t have to do everything for them – or entertain them every minute of the day.
🌟 Respond with empathy: My toddler melting down isn’t because he’s trying to drive me crazy. He’s still learning. Remembering that helps me respond with more empathy and calm, and less frustration.
🌟 Get outside: These communities spend so much time outdoors. Being outside helps everyone slow down, rest, and takes pressure off constantly having to entertain kids.
🌟 Caregiving is a team sport: Raising children is a community responsibility. It doesn’t all fall on mom.
🌟 Let go of perfection: I don’t have to solve every problem, keep everyone happy, or hold everything together all the time.
Moms were never meant to raise children alone. Our partners, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbors, and communities can all be part of our village.
As Michaeleen writes: “In these traditional cultures, a mother is never isolated.”
Imagine how different motherhood would look if more moms had a village like that. That’s what protecting mom’s mental health looks like.
📣 If you or a loved one needs support during pregnancy or postpartum, call Postpartum Support International at 1.800.944.4773.
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Read my full blog on Postpartum Support International The Next 6 Books I’d Gift a New Mom.
Read the original post that became a top search result for ‘New Books for New Moms’ here.
Learn more about what I’m fighting for.
