Mental Minefields

This topic we found to be avoided at all costs. It's a taboo and no one wants to admit that they are struggling. A few big things we noticed which trigger any underlying or pre-existing mental health issues are as follows:

• Stresses of Pregnancy (namely morning sickness and in the later stages when everything is tougher and you're waddling everywhere)

• Guilt Trips With or Without Depression ''I shouldn't be feeling like this"

• Isolation 

• Moving Out and The Fear of Independence

• Overcrowding, Living at Home or With Partner's Family

• Over-Reliance on Partner or the Government (i.e. for benefits)

• Lack of Sleep

• Trauma of Birth

• The Aftershock - being in denial "Is this really my baby?!"

• Low Self-Esteem "I'm not good enough"

• When you've Reached your Limit "I've had enough!"

• Identity Loss

• Partner Pot holes (absence, sustaining a relationship and keeping the balance between baby and partner time)

• In-Laws (don't get me started!)

• The Second Child, or the question of whether to stick to the one-child rule

• Health Issues (especially mini me's)

• Falling out - when friends and family let you down

• The Love Triangle - Daddy Jealousy and Demanding Little One[s]