Comments on: Beautiful Strange New Room: Life in the Postpartum Period

By: Tala Ciatti

Tala Ciatti — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:42:49 +0000

In reply to Amy Phariss. Yes! It's like journaling my own thoughts...the discipline it takes to put pen to paper is worth it in the end! Thanks, Amy!

By: Amy Phariss

Amy Phariss — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:52:28 +0000

I just read this article; what stood out most is the note to write things down. This is so true! And it’s not just writing down the good stuff. I had to write down my daughter’s sleep habits and patterns. It seemed, to my sleep-deprived mind, so bleak and awful. When I wrote it down, the actual time it took to get her to sleep and how long she slept, I saw patterns emerge, and the picture wasn’t so overwhelming. I do this now, whenever I need some mental clarity. Such a great piece of advice. Amy

By: Tala Ciatti

Tala Ciatti — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:02:44 +0000

Melissa, congrats on the new baby! I hope you’re continuing to find both support and growth in this new life post-baby!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 19:33:27 +0000

I love this article! I am 2.5 months post baby and I feel all these things. I didn’t realize how much one changes after giving birth. I slowdown, told my job I am not going back due to back energy at the work place. I go out in public less because I have become so sensitive to others behavior. I do read alot about postpartm, baby and I do yoga along with daily mom and bay walks. I agree that this is the time to listen to yourself and set boudaries!!!

By: Kate Arends

Kate Arends — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 03:01:19 +0000

In reply to Gretchen. Hi Gretchen, Thanks for your comment. While there is no way of knowing if someone hasn't reached out due to disclosing my ADHD and anxiety, I haven't lost a client due to my transparency. I've been consulting and designing quite a bit since 2013. I think it helps being in the "creative" industry... in some ways it's an asset, with a very obvious down side. ;) Hope this helps answer your question! Thanks for your support and kind words.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 19:21:55 +0000

Kate, have you had any negatives effects, particularly on your brand/design business, from being so (wonderfully) open about your mental health diagnoses? IOW, has a client or potential client ever expressed reluctance to hire you because of it?

By: Katie Oberton

Katie Oberton — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 17:42:36 +0000

I love these motherhood posts! I’m a local Minneapolis mama who is also a mental health therapist. Thanks for opening up and sharing about your life! You’re eliminating the stigma around mental health and it is awesome! And these motherhood posts are so raw and honest and beautiful! Thanks for all you do!

By: Kate Arends

Kate Arends — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:36:15 +0000

In reply to Chelsey. Well said. Chelsey <3

By: Kate Arends

Kate Arends — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:35:38 +0000

In reply to Lyndsee. Such great advice, Lyndsee. I found myself clinging to certain pieces of advice I'd read like it was the gospel...sometimes you miss solutions when you don't question popular advice!

By: Kate Arends

Kate Arends — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:34:26 +0000

In reply to Gretchen. Hi Gretchen! I'm so happy it helped. I also stopped breastfeeding recently to start taking the medication I needed. These decisions are hard but I'm glad more of us are realizing that a healthy mother is as much a factor in a child's development as what we feed them. Hugs to you!

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:23:29 +0000

Oops! I need more coffee!
“…because my MD didn’t want me taking ANTIDEPRESSANTS.”

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:19:46 +0000

Oh, Kate. You are so brave and generous in sharing with us your personal story in order that, one day, it won’t seem “brave” to talk about depression, pre- or post-partum.
I was depressed during my second pregnancy because my MD didn’t want me taking them. Then went into a “I don’t love my baby” post partum period. I stopped breastfeeding after a few months and got back on my meds. That and giving myself permission to rest got me through, but I so wish I’d done many of the things suggested in the excellent article in your post.

By: Emma

Emma — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 12:22:09 +0000

Nice….

By: Lyndsee

Lyndsee — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 18:16:16 +0000

I love the item about recommendations. I would include parenting books in that, especially sleep books. While I found some good information in books, a lot of it is so contradictory! And I came across advice that didn’t sit well with me but what did I know? It about did my head in when I was sleep-deprived, getting used to the new responsibilities of caring for a child, and trying so hard to do everything right. Give yourself permission to disagree with advice you’re given! And know that you aren’t going to do everything right.

By: Chelsey

Chelsey — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 16:27:57 +0000

Loved every minute of this! Although I needed this 7 months ago all my friends are having babies so I will pass this on to help. This biggest lesson for me was ‘say it’. we need to make the statistics more accurate and perhaps change the title ‘postpartum depression’ to just ‘postpartum’ because it’s not just depression – it’s a lot more then that and it’s different for everyone. Thanks for talking about it!

By: Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 16:12:32 +0000

I’m nowhere close to having a baby, but this really helps open my eyes to the thoughts and feelings my friends who have had kids are experiencing!

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com