This week is Maternal Mental Health Week.  Let’s talk about the Myths of Motherhood.  Here are a few:

Becoming a Mother is the happiest time in your life.

Mothers instinctively know what their babies want and need.

Mothers should sacrifice everything for their children.

Breastfeeding is easy.

If a mother chooses not to breastfeed, she is a terrible mother.

Every woman instantly bonds with her baby during pregnancy.

Experiencing a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder means you are a bad mother.

Well guess what, 1 in 5 mothers experience a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.  If we buy into the last myth, then there are a shit ton of bad mothers out there, including myself.  Let’s rise up and stand together and fight these myths and the stigma.  Motherhood isn’t easy and was never meant to be.  I for one try to practice self compassion everyday because I know motherhood isn’t easy, but it is much easier when I accept things as they are instead of trying to live up to these myths.  What are some of the myths that affect you?

#RealMotherhood #NoShame