Today’s 50-minute session focused on the overwhelming demands of new motherhood. The client shared how difficult it’s been to balance caring for their newborn with their own emotional and physical needs. They said, "I feel like I'm always giving and never receiving," describing how drained they feel after each day of constant care and attention to their baby. We discussed the importance of self-care and how it’s easy to neglect one’s own needs when caring for a child. Client expressed guilt about taking time for themselves, worrying that it would make them a bad mother.
We worked through the idea that caring for themselves is actually vital to being able to care for their child in the long run. I suggested starting small with self-care, such as taking 10 minutes each day to engage in something that brings them joy or relaxation. We also explored the possibility of asking for help from family or friends to allow for some time alone. Client seemed relieved to have a plan and was open to the idea of taking small steps towards incorporating self-care. Their homework is to start with a daily 10-minute practice, such as reading a book or taking a relaxing bath. We’ll follow up next week to evaluate how they’re adjusting.
