The emotional rollercoaster of being a new mom

The emotional rollercoaster of being a new mom

Author: NPR January 23, 2024 Duration: 24:35
Becoming a mother is a complicated life transition. That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, not recognizing your body in the mirror and thinking that you've lost yourself is all part of the process. This episode offers guidance for mothers on how to get their footing, manage expectations, get support and prioritize time for themselves. These insights are also great for people who are in their support network.

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There's no single right way to raise a child, but having a few reliable tools can make all the difference. Life Kit: Parenting from NPR is here to offer just that-practical, evidence-based guidance for the everyday challenges and long-term questions that come with family life. Instead of overwhelming theory, this podcast delivers actionable advice drawn from scientific research and conversations with real experts. You'll hear straightforward strategies for navigating difficult conversations, managing behavioral issues, and fostering emotional resilience, all tailored to fit into the messy reality of daily routines. Each episode focuses on a specific topic, breaking it down into clear, manageable steps you can actually use. Whether you're dealing with toddler tantrums, teenage screen time, or your own parental anxiety, the goal is to provide support that feels both compassionate and useful. By tuning in, you join a community seeking to parent with more confidence and less stress, one episode at a time. For those who want to support this work directly, Life Kit+ offers a sponsor-free listening experience.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Life Kit: Parenting
Podcast Episodes
How to jumpstart your child's financial future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:55
If you're a new or soon-to-be parent, free time is at a premium. And sorting through different investment account options is confusing and time-consuming. On this episode, Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle walks you through…
Mom needs a moment! How to pause parental rage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:38
Parenthood is exhausting. When a kid asks for snack for the millionth time while you're running on little sleep and trying to make dinner, it's easy to snap. Licensed marriage and family therapist Cassidy Freitas says th…
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:11
Whether you’re ready to become pregnant today or thinking about the future, there’s a lot to learn about your fertility. In this episode, a reproductive endocrinologist and a reproductive psychiatrist walk through the ba…
Practical advice for modern dads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:42
We often talk about the mental load of parenting as something mothers carry. But active, involved dads have questions, too, and not many places to ask them. In this episode, Kevin Maguire, author of The New Fatherhood, a…
On the fence about parenthood? Listen to this [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:11
Could you see your life just as easily with children as without? What if you're not cut out for parenthood? What if you grow lonely in your old age? Or what if you have a loving partner, but you disagree on this choice?…
The dos and don'ts of baby talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:35
If you have a baby in your life, you may not find them the most intellectually stimulating conversation partner. But your baby is soaking up everything you say. On this episode, advice from early childhood experts on the…
Feeling drained? Here's how to lighten your mental load [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:42
Did you remember to pick up milk? Or reschedule that dentist appointment? Oh, and pick up cupcakes for the meeting? The never-ending tending to the never-ending to-do list is known as the mental load. Sociologist Leah Ru…
How to be a working parent? Lower your standards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:53
From brain fog to identity crises to complicated feelings of guilt (or relief), returning to work as a new parent can be daunting. Luckily, you don't need to navigate this transition alone. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle…
Drowning in toys? Here’s how to handle kid clutter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:09
Having kids comes with a lot of clutter - some of it even shows up before your baby does. From toys that overflow from the toy chest, to unwanted hand-me-downs and the piles of art your kids make, you can't keep it all.…