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Are you a parent struggling with those pesky intrusive thoughts, making your fears and doubts even louder? Our super cool guest, Olivia, the author of Impossible Parenting, dives into this complex issue, sharing some awesome insights on how to handle these sneaky mental health struggles.

We share our own experiences and also the fear and shame that these thoughts can bring. We explore the importance of challenging these thoughts and maybe even considering therapy, providing a really thoughtful perspective on managing mental health as a parent.

Ah ha postpartum mental health moments:

• Shedding light on all the crazy challenges of becoming a mom
• The many many risk factors for pregnant people developing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
• How PMADs mess with your thoughts and emotions
• Creating a positive parenting identity
• Reflecting on how societal messages mess with our perception of being a "good parent"

And just when you think you've heard it all, we've got a little preview for you of an upcoming episode about yelling at kids. It's a topic that's actually pretty common, even though not many people like to talk about it. We'll be diving into the guilt that comes with losing your temper and how having unrealistic expectations can make that guilt feel even worse.

So come along with us on this enlightening journey as we try to keep our cool and take care of our mental health while navigating the ups and downs of parenting.

Mentionable's

If you're looking to explore further, Olivia's book, "Impossible Parenting: Creating a New Culture of Mental Health for Parents," offers valuable insights and can be found here.

Additionally, you can find more resources and information on perinatal mental health on the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings website, as well as on their Instagram page (@perinatalmentalhealthtrainings) and Facebook page (Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Training).

Olivia (MSW, RSW, MA) is an Ontario-based queer social work counselor specializing in perinatal mood, reproductive trauma, parental mental health, and provider burnout. With a commitment to continuous learning, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Policy and Equity, focusing on the reproductive trauma experiences of LGBT+ birthers. Olivia is the co-founder of Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings and the founder of Postpartum Support Toronto (now Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario). Her belief in eating dessert every day, telling your story, and barrier-free access to healing services shapes her approach to supporting parents.

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Meet Kayla Huszar, the Host of the Chill Like a Mother Podcast

Kayla Huszar is a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist who helps mothers reconnect with their authentic selves through embodied art-making. She encourages moms to embrace the messy, beautiful realities of their unique motherhood journeys. Whether through the podcast, 1:1 sessions or her signature Motherload Membership, Kayla creates a brave space for mothers to explore their identities beyond parenting, reconnect with their intuition, and find creative outlets for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day—kids running amok and all! If this episode helped you feel a little more chill, please leave a rating or review. Your feedback helps the podcast reach more moms who need to hear it.