Bonds after Baby: Rebuild your marriage, reduce postpartum resentment & guard maternal mental health

Have you noticed how a simple request at home can quickly turn into tension or defensiveness?When you are carrying invisible labor and going through identity shifts in early parenthood, your system can feel overwhelmed. Emotional dysregulation can take over, and a small conversation can start to feel unsafe.This is common for new parents, especially with new parent anxiety and constant demands. Your body can stay in physiological arousal, which makes it harder to stay calm. These moments can also bring up attachment wounds, especially when support feels inconsistent.Today’s episode, I walk you through nervous system regulation and how to start regulating nervous system responses in real time. This begins with building body awareness so you can catch shifts into reactive behaviors.You will learn to notice externalizing behaviors (snapping) and internalizing behaviors like shutting down, both of which affect relational connection.We also talk about emotional safety and how to support it in everyday conversations. I share simple sensory grounding techniques to help you come back to the present moment, along with ways for managing emotional triggers and understanding how past patterns shape you.The goal is to help you move through tension with more awareness, so you can stay connected instead of turning against each other.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Are you finding yourself walking on eggshells when asking for help at home? Do simple requests turn into tension or defensiveness? For many couples, conversations about division of labor quickly stop being about chores and start feeling personal.This often intensifies for new parents. When both partners are stretched thin, even small requests can trigger bigger reactions. This is especially true for tired moms, nursing mothers, and overwhelmed mothers carrying both visible tasks and the mental load.There is a way to move out of this cycle and work as a team again.In this episode, I explain why these conversations feel so difficult and why the real block is often defensiveness, not logistics.We look at how invisible labor builds pressure and how deeper relationship triggers from the past can surface in everyday moments. I also share a real example of how a simple request can activate an old wound.This centers on emotional regulation and how to approach these conversations in a way that lowers threat and supports shared ownership.You will hear practical ways to communicate needs clearly, make invisible labor visible, and notice the patterns that keep new dads and exhausted parents stuck in cycles of avoidance or marriage conflict.We also touch on why reciprocal effort matters, especially for young families adjusting to this stage of life.The point is not to make every discussion easy. It is to help both partners move through tension without turning each other into the problem.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Does your home sometimes feel tense and quiet after a disagreement, as if the silence has taken over the room? For many couples, the silent treatment appears when emotions run high and speaking up feels risky. What looks like distance on the surface often reflects deeper relationship conflict that feels overwhelming to face in the moment.This tension can feel especially strong during early parenthood. When an exhausted parent is balancing a baby, work, and a home, small moments can quickly build internal tension, and even simple conversations may start to feel heavy.There is a way to melt the ice and return to a place of warmth and mutual support.In this episode, I explore how the pressures of the postpartum stage can affect many new parents, and how these moments often trigger deeper attachment fears inside a relationship.We look at how avoidance behaviors and the behavioral signals couples fall into are often protective responses. I also talk about the body’s response to stress, including signs of emotional flooding, and a framework that supports healthier emotional regulation.The goal is not perfection in communication. The goal is learning how to break the ice when distance appears, so you can slowly return to one another with warmth, understanding, and connection.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Why can a family visit sometimes leave you feeling tense as a new parent? Maybe someone comments on how you care for your baby, or your communication preference gets brushed aside when you need emotional support. When you are already exhausted, moments like that can feel heavier than they should, especially when your emotional needs are not being seen.Many parents find themselves navigating family dynamics that suddenly feel more intense after a baby arrives. Things that once felt manageable can start to touch deeper places connected to childhood experiences and long-standing family patterns.In this conversation, I share a few mindset shifts that can help couples move through this stage with more clarity and connection. Becoming parents reshapes the family hierarchy, and learning to prioritize your spouse and your new family unit becomes an important part of protecting marriage during this transition.We also explore how setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable, especially with extended family. Yet creating clear newborn boundaries often helps both partners feel supported. When couples offer each other strong spouse support, they begin to grow into a steady parenting team.Some of this tension also comes from generational parenting differences, which can make conversations with relatives more complicated than they first appear.When couples face these moments together, they begin to build trust and move toward stronger healthy functioning as a family. The goal is not to push extended family away. The goal is to stay connected while protecting the needs of your own household.If you have ever felt pulled between family expectations and the wellbeing of your own home, this conversation will help you approach those moments with more calm, clarity, and care.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Why does asking for help feel so hard as a new parent? You may feel overwhelmed but still hesitate to reach out because past family patterns taught you to keep your emotional needs quiet, or earlier attempts did not bring the emotional support you hoped for.When needs are shared with care, couples can build trust and begin repairing trust. These moments of openness help strengthen bonds and create deeper emotional safety in marriage.In this episode, I talk about why asking for help can feel so uncomfortable during pregnancy and early parenthood, even though this stage puts real pressure on maternal health and relationships. It can feel easier to carry everything alone, but reaching out is actually a healthy bid for connection that strengthens family connection.We also look at how marriage communication can get stuck, especially when one partner fears rejection and the other is overcoming defensiveness. I talk about the everyday reality of sharing the mental load, and how active listening in marriage can turn a request for parenting support into an opportunity for relationship repair.This conversation is an invitation to see your needs differently, not as a burden, but as part of building a more supported postpartum relationship.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Have you ever felt like a simmering pot, when the smallest thing is enough to make you boil over? That experience often called mom rage can feel confusing and heavy. You love your family deeply, yet you find yourself reacting in ways that surprise you. Then the guilt sets in, and the shame cycle begins.So many moms think it is a personal flaw, but it is not. This is about your family system, your family dynamics, and the pressure of societal expectations in contemporary society. The postpartum transition is a full nervous system shift. Add uneven division of labor, limited parenting support, and sleep loss, and your body can stay in constant physical tension.In this episode, we slow it down and look at what is really happening. We talk about the internal cycle that keeps this going. Suppressed core feelings build up. Root emotions like grief, anger, loneliness, and even deep love get pushed aside. When there is no space for emotional availability, those feelings do not disappear. They come out as reactivity.We also name something many families quietly carry: motherhood isolation. Raising children today often happens without the extended support humans once relied on. That isolation can intensify stress inside the home.This conversation is about understanding the system around moms. When we see how the family system shapes stress responses, we can move out of self attack and toward repair.If you are a mom, a soon to be mom, or part of a family trying to navigate this season, this episode will help you feel understood. You will walk away with language for your feelings, clarity about what is underneath the anger, and practical ways to shift the dynamic at home.Your nervous system is responding to pressure. And when the pressure is named and supported, real change can begin.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Does it ever feel like you and your partner are just passing ships in the night, trading a baby for a cup of coffee and a few hours of sleep? Do you find yourself wondering if this heavy parenting stress is just your new normal?When you are in the thick of survival mode, that deep emotional connection you used to have can feel like a lifetime ago. In this episode, I am sharing a simple shift that gets to the heart of your marriage connection without requiring more of your limited energy. We are talking about how to move past the "roommate phase" and back into a spiritual connection that feels natural. You will learn how marriage connection can simplify your life and bring relief.Navigating motherhood and postpartum recovery becomes so much easier when you have a partner who truly sees you and shares the load. Instead of postpartum intimacy feeling like another chore, you can get back to that place where your husband and wife connection is the very thing that recharges your battery. The best part is that real relationship advice should actually take things off your plate by simplifying your family dynamics and making your partnership feel like the safest, easiest part of your day.This conversation is about finding your way back to each other through grace and healthy boundaries. It is about transforming your parenting journey from a source of friction into a path for deeper closeness.There is so much hope for your husband and wife bond or marriage bond, even when you feel completely tapped out. You do not have to settle for resentment in marriage or a permanent sense of relationship burnout. It is possible to move from just getting by to actually feeling seen and supported by your person again.I'm here for you and your family, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Are you sitting in the same room as your partner while feeling like you are on two different islands? Feeling unseen while you handle the invisible labor of motherhood is a signal that you need more attunement.Distance is often a result of a culture that makes new parents feel isolated. While postpartum recovery is often viewed as a physical process, the actual challenge is navigating shifting family dynamics and postpartum loneliness. This disconnect is a biological signal that you need more emotional intimacy and relationship support during a major life transition.This episode shares relationship advice on how you can build a stronger emotional connection. You will hear why small gestures (like specific appreciation and simple check-ins) often matter more than big romantic gestures. You will also learn how partner support can show up as curiosity instead of defensiveness to create a safer space for both of you.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:recognize the "two different islands" feeling and how to protect your mental energy while sharing the same space.use communication tips to stop feeling secretly unseen and bridge the emotional gap.reduce parenting stress by getting more supportThis conversation is your roadmap to mom life and connection strategies in early parenthood. You will leave with a simple framework to express your needs with confidence and create a healthier balance that includes your well-being.I'm here for you and your family, EvieIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!Connect with EvieWebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactSocial Media & PodcastInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInThis Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Does it seem like you are handling motherhood well, looking calm on the outside, while inside you are on high alert, replaying worries, and carrying tension you cannot switch off?Many assume this is just part of being a new mom, but it can be a sign of postpartum anxiety and a cue that your emotional health needs support, especially when the mental load never ends.When your body gets stuck in high-alert mode, trying to power through alone makes the anxiety feel worse. The shift is moving from managing it solo to building emotional safety in healthy relationships, using relationship support and co-regulation to create a calm environment at home.Today we cover tangible ways to support postpartum recovery and reduce parenting stress:Why presence helps more than quick advice, and how to ask for what you needWhy the invisible load drives mom burnout, and steps to share planning, not just choresWhen to pause a hard conversation, and how to return to it with careSimple self care for moms that supports emotional well-being in real lifeIf the motherhood transition has you feeling flooded, you can find relief with clearer communication, shared responsibility, and support that helps you feel grounded again.To being heard and seen, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteI would love to hear from you! Contact me at: https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactSocial Media & PodcastInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Have you ever sat wide awake at 2:00 AM feeling a seething rage while your partner sleeps peacefully and you are still waiting for a chance to shower? This heavy sense of postpartum resentment is a sign that you are carrying the mental load and emotional labor entirely on your own. It is common to feel like an exhausted mama when the invisible load of the household leaves you feeling alone in these motherhood struggles. You deserve to be heard, and this episode is the first step toward finally getting the support you need.The shift is moving from thinking you are just an angry person to seeing that resentment is a normal response to stress. These heavy feelings are secretly telling you that you have unmet needs. This does not mean your marriage is broken, but it is a call for a better family connection. You can leave this lonely place by learning how to ask for a lifeline during your postpartum recovery.Today we are covering tangible ways to change the climate of your home:New parent tips for sharing the invisible labor and daily responsibilitiesHealthy communication steps to address relationship stress without a fightStructural change ideas to get marriage support and more rest for yourselfWe will talk about the relationship tools you need to end the cycle of self-neglect. You will learn why ignoring these parenting challenges harms your home and how to get back on the same team with your partner.My goal is for you to leave with a clear plan to get your needs met and find the actual relief you deserve.To being heard and seen, EvieConnect with EvieWebsiteI would love to hear from you! Contact me at: https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactSocial Media LinksInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Pregnancy anxiety and postpartum anxiety isn't getting any easier with the current political climate. Maternal mental health is affected by external stressors and the kind of relationship support we receive through the stress.You're inundated by disturbing and unsettling information and images daily- and you care, AND you also need to be OK for yourself and your kids. In this episode, I'm going to give you concrete tips on how to calm your nervous system for your own sake, and for your kids. I'll:briefly share the science of how political stress impacts pregnant and postpartum moms (and all moms!) xxplain why “just tuning it out” often doesn’t bring reliefdescribe how co-regulation and emotional safety calms the nervous systemoutline simple, evidence-informed ways parents can reduce overwhelm without disconnectingSo you can have an authentic reaction to what you are seeing, while also staying connected to yourself and your kids.I'm here to offer compassion and practical tips during this incredibly stressful time of external stressors. Your nervous system is responding to real stress in a vulnerable season—and support matters!

It's Maternal Health Day, and I want women to receive the concrete information that is missing from the conversation (& partners/family members/friends who are helping Moms) as they go through fertility treatments, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. Moms deserve pregnancy support and postpartum support.Unfortunately, experts aren't discussing one of the biggest protective factors for women as they go through medical treatments and recovery: Relationship Health.In this episode I share how relationships deeply impact Maternal Health, from partner dynamics and family support to isolation and conflict.I break down why emotional safety matters as much as practical help—and how relationship stress can increase postpartum anxiety, depression, and make physical recovery harder.I offer concrete examples on how Moms can be truly supported during medical processes, including fertility challenges, pregnancy or birth complications, postpartum recovery, and medical uncertainty.Relationship support and attunement is extremely protective for mothers.SUBSCRIBE to the podcast & Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family.This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

Family cut-offs are getting more common these days. There's often strong opinions on either side- either it's awful or it's totally justified. Truth is, the reality is more complicated.Oprah's podcast had a discussion about adult parent-child estrangement, and I want to share what I think was missing from a generally helpful discussion.In this episode I'll:give my reaction to the podcast as an LMFT working with adult-parents & childrenshare the relevance of this situation for people in the stage of pregnancy, postpartum & early parenthood& share important perspectives when evaluation such decisionsThis episode invites listeners to move beyond black-and-white narratives and toward more grounded, supported decisions about family relationships.There are certainly justified cut-offs in the face of relentless emotional manipulation and hostility! Yet there is still so much nuance and possibility in a variety of other kids of family dynamics.SUBSCRIBE & Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family.This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

In this episode, I'm offering 3 concrete co-parenting tips walking into the New Year.This is, however, an Anti-New Years- New Years post! Let's challenge the idea that we need to be different- but rather that we need to connect more with the strengths we already have inside.Instead of focusing on what we lack or striving for perfection, the episode emphasizes recognizing and building on existing strengths.Drawing from solution-focused therapy, I share three key approaches:noticing what’s already helpingidentifying exceptions to challenges, &using the “miracle question” to inspire hopeful, realistic change.Connect with your inner strength, choose collaboration over judgment, and prioritize connection—not perfection—this is the foundation for healthier parenting & co-parenting. Get the relief you deserve.SUBSCRIBE & Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family.This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

This holiday episode is not a guide for gifts or juggling holiday plans- it gets to the core of what truly brings the joy of the season- inner peace and connection. Working with hundreds of couples and parents, I consistently see a tendency to avoid tough feelings in an effort to escape reality and curate an idealized version of the season. The thing is, this usually makes people and relationships more tense. It's not actually helpful. So what is? In this episode, I'll share why it's hard to be fully present for all our feelings as parents during the holidays an example from a couple I worked with last year, who experienced the relief of facing difficult feelings how facing pain opens the path for more joy This is a shortie but a goodie. SUBSCRIBE & Let me know your thoughts in the comments section! Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Couples face many challenges in pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. Marriage after baby is no joke. I bet you are familiar! After working with hundreds of parents, I've noted that a Simple Mind Shift can make all the difference for couples navigating conflict. When couples make the shift into realizing conflict is an opportunity for Meaning Making, relationships deepen and everyone feels more supported and solid. In this episode, I will share why conflict is actually an opportunity for you and your partner what Meaning Making is and why it's lovely steps towards productive cooperation and deepening connection Subscribe to my podcast & Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Experienced Doulas get a keen window into the experiences, struggles, and triumphs that Moms, Partners, and Couples go through in the transition from pregnancy to birth and postpartum. In the 4th episode of my Birth Trauma Series, I'm thrilled to welcome Hehe Stuart, owner of Tranquility by Hehe- a maternity concierge service supporting Moms and Couples in their birthing and postpartum journey. Hehe is acutely aware of how couple dynamics affect the experience of pregnancy, postpartum, and long-term parenthood. We discuss our expertise, experiences, and perspectives on what we notice in couples that bring peace to one another in the struggle of processing birth trauma, and what we notice gets in the way. This is a great episode for Moms, Pregnant Couples, Postpartum Couples AND Parents of older children to listen to. Follow to prepare for your experience to make sure you get the support you need (whether it's a smooth or rocky experience), to process what happened for you in the past, or to see how you can show up for parents. Subscribe to my podcast & Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Husbands and partners also go through their own pain process and struggle after disappointing or scary birth experiences. When partners are struggling, that is a hardship on them and has ripple effects on the birthing Mom and family. No one should be experiencing their pain alone. How can men and partners get more support during this time? What are the barriers to getting help?This is a great episode for Husbands/Partners, Pregnant Couples, Postpartum Couples AND Parents of older children to listen to.This episode of the Traumatic Birth series includes:an overview of what I often see Husbands and Partners go through after difficult birth experiencesan illuminating interview with Adam Angel, LCSW, as he shares his perspective and wisdom from working with men in the postpartum and early parenthood stagea concrete list of resources husbands and partners can seek out for supportThis is the third episode of a series on birth experiences. Follow to prepare for your experience to make sure you get the support you need (whether it's a smooth or rocky experience), to process what happened for you in the past, or to see how you can show up for parents.Subscribe to my podcast & Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family.*This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

No Moms should feel alone in traumatic experiences- including birth experiences. Disappointing and Traumatic Birth Experiences are incredibly common and women often go through these experiences and process memories alone. But birth is a family matter and moms and families need support. This is a great episode for pregnant couples, postpartum couples AND parents of older children to listen to. In the second episode of this Birth series, I am sharing: what kinds of trauma or difficulties birthing moms may experience what approaches with moms can be harmful a concrete list of the type of support most birthing moms need This is the first episode of a series on birth experiences. Follow to prepare for your experience to make sure you get the support you need (whether it's a smooth or rocky experience), to process what happened for you in the past, or to see how you can show up for birthing moms. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Disappointing and Traumatic Birth Experiences are incredibly common and women often go through these experiences and process memories alone. But birth is a family matter and moms and families need support. In this episode, I am sharing my birth experience bringing my son into the world 1.5 years ago to: reduce stigma and shame around traumatic birth experiences share how reaching out for help was essential to healing encourage you to consider reaching out OR how to support your partner/family member/friend This is the first episode of a series on birth experiences. Follow to prepare for your experience to make sure you get the support you need (whether it's a smooth or rocky experience), to process what happened for you in the past, or to see how you can show up for birthing moms. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

I see Moms, Couples & Families get distressed from their rigid stance on things- and they don't even realize they are doing it! In this episode I will: share what the difference is between rigidity and flexibility why flexibility reduces stress (while still maintaining high expectations) give real life examples offer 3 tips on how to get into a more flexible mindset There's enough stress with babies, toddlers, and young children- we don't need any more stress by getting stuck in unyielding thought patterns. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

I'm sharing my personal experiences of my 2.5 month long time in Greece with my family- and relating my personal experience to why Momming is so much easier with a solid community of people. I was literally in a village for part of our trip and experienced motherhood so differently there. In this episode I will: Share my personal struggles and joys on our travels Share why parenting is easier with a network of people, and what we know from research Share why Moms should stop pathologizing their struggles when most of the time its lack of support that makes things hard! Moms and parents should stop being so hard on themselves- parenting has become much to solitary of an experience in contemporary life. Support should be a built-in part of our parenting journey but it often isn't. It's important to find community where you can if possible. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Grandparent relationships bring opportunities for joy and also tension, as families navigate new roles, relationship dynamics, and boundaries. My work with parent-grandparent relationships has shown me how much relief and connection can come of working through the growing pains. In this episode I will: Discuss the benefits of Grandparent relationships Share what conflicts most commonly arise with grandparents/in-laws after children come into the picture Answer 2 Listener Questions about their specific issues with Grandparents While addressing tensions can be uncomfortable, there are infinite benefits to you, your children, and your whole family when grandparent relationship dynamics improve. I'll be creating more episodes on grandparents in the future! Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

One of the most common issues I see in parents is discomfort asking for help. We can learn along the way that it's emotionally safer to cope on our own, but how does that affect us and our relationships? Especially at a time in early parenthood when we need and deserve help more than ever! In this episode, I will: share how avoidance in asking for help harms relationships explore reasons why it may be hard to reach out for help share 5 suggestions to start increasing your comfort level around asking for help Increasing this comfort level will have profound effects on you and your couple/family dynamic. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Family vacations are more than scheduled activities and changing scenery. What do you want you & your family to emotionally experience on your adventures? Do you want to come home feeling more connected? In this episode, I will share: what opportunities vacations offer for families interesting research about family vacations 4 conversation starters that will help you and your partner/spouse cultivate more connection, joyfulness, and warmth Make intentional choices together so you can get the most out of these special times as a family. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

In my practice I see a lot of resistance and discomfort around having natural mixed feelings towards partners, family members, and especially children. Shoving feelings below the surface ends up causing a lot of distress in Moms and in relationship dynamics. In this episode I'll: normalize the experience of mixed feelings share specific examples to give a clear picture of how supressing feelings hurts relationships & will offer 3 concrete tips to start finding relief in yourself & relationships by accepting your mixed feelings At a time when you are already dealing with a huge adjustment & meeting so many demands, you don't need any more angst from rejecting your human experience. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

We have hopes of how our experience of parenthood and family life will be when children come. It's incredibly painful to look back on this special time as lost opportunities for joyfulness and connection. Today I'm sharing: The most common regrets I hear from parents past the young child stage An example of one family's unfortunate experience 3 discussion points to get you and your partner on a more intentional path for your family. Let the wisdom of parents on the other side of this stage open your eyes to what to watch out for. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

The nursery design and what brand of baby carrier is part of the fun prepping for baby- but partners often forget that the biggest impact on them and their child post-birth is family dynamics. I'm going to share 8 discussions you and your partner should have before baby comes. Based on my years of professional experience, these discussion topics and logistical details are very helpful in preventing additional stress and helping to foster a more connected home environment when baby comes. You, your partner, and baby deserve peace. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. I'm developing resources for couples and families preparing for baby, or who are already in the journey, based on my wealth of experience. Stay tuned for updates on that! *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Anxiety, depression, & other mood disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. If untreated, the symptoms can last years beyond birth. Even though research has consistently indicated how much relationship satisfaction can lessen such symptoms significantly, not enough professionals are taking about how! In this episode, I will: Discuss how postpartum depression and anxiety can affect and be affected by the whole family Share an example of how the whole family system is affected by postpartum mood distress Offer 3 prompts to discuss with your partner, so you can both recognize some unhelpful patterns. Moms are not experiencing distress on an island- we are all affected by our relationships and our relationships affect us. Time to understand how this works to remove shame and see how postpartum distress is a family matter. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Get an inside understanding of what family therapists and researchers know about healthy family dynamics. I'm Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Evie Mpras, and I'm here to help you and your family relationships in pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting young kids. In this episode, I'll: share what dynamics or qualities are hallmarks of resilient and bonded families give some specific examples of what these hallmarks look like offer 3 conversation starters with your family members to start loving discussions about your family dynamics We can't heal something that we aren't aware of- it's very helpful to take pride in our relationship strengths and identify growth areas that we can work on- for our sake's and our children's sakes. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Being hard on yourself and getting into shame spirals is an all-too-familiar state in Moms & parents. Not only is it harmful to us, but it's also harmful to our relationships. I'm Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Evie Mpras specializing in relationship health in early parenthood. In this episode I share: Why shame spirals are so common when we become parents How shame is an avoidance of your authentic feelings How shame spirals make it harder to show up for ourselves, our partners, and our kids. 4 actionable tips to start interrupting these shame spirals and connect with your loved ones Giving grace makes it easier to stay accountable to yourself and others. Let this episode help open up another way of relating that isn't so harsh. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Facing realities can spare us pain! Let's face that holding on to unrealistic expectations sets Moms & Couples up for profound disappointment and heartache in pregnancy, postpartum, and co-parenting young kids. This episode offers: a mindset shift back to reality so you can actually work better with what's possible in the stage of pregnancy, postpartum and parenting young kids. an account of what *may* actually realistic in survival mode 3 agreements you and your partner can commit to that will help ease tension and increase connection. Acknowledging what is actually possible can open up a world of connection- and you and your loved ones deserve this, especially during the tender period of growing your families. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Today I'm inviting you and your family members to face what often gets avoided: conflict. I'm Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Evie Mpras specializing in relationship health in early parenthood. I'm going to share: Why we need to face conflict rather than avoid it when becoming parents How getting more comfortable with conflict can bring you closer with loved ones. 3 Tips on how to start shifting your perspective to disagreements so your relationships can benefit from more peace. Marriage after baby usually brings more disagreements and conflict to the table. Your family's life will greatly benefit by learning how to navigate disagreements and discord. This leads to closer relationships! Make sure to sign up to my email list found on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

There's a lot of advice out there. You need to know what research and clinical experience I bring to the table. I'm Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Evie Mpras and In this episode I get right to the point: What I specialize in The many research-based approaches I use How it all works together to benefit Moms, Couples, Children & Families No person or family can be fully understood and cared for using only one type of approach. My background in Maternal Mental Health, Family Systems, Parenting, Interpersonal Neurobiology, & Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is an effective and intentional combination that addresses the core issues of family longings and functioning in early parenthood. It's an honor to be part of your family's journey towards more connection and peace. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Let's take an honest look at how the transition to parenthood is not an individual process- it's a family process. I'm Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Evie Mpras specializing in family functioning in early parenthood. In this episode I share: How the transition to parenthood can strain relationships- marriage after baby comes with stressors. How the whole family system deals with stressors! Why most resources for Moms don't address family relationships What provides the fastest relief for families Join me in this swing of the curtain so we can take an honest look at why Mom distress is not a solitary issue- it's a family issue. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*

Welcome to Bonds after Baby! I'm Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Evie Mpras, and I am sharing my expertise and experience in family functioning during pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting young children. In this first episode I’ll be sharing: How I can help you and your family My backstory of why I’m driven towards this important work Pregnancy, Postpartum and Early Parenthood sets relationships up to struggle. You and your family members deserve to feel loved, understood, and supported-and your child deserves to thrive in a peaceful family environment. I'm here to help you get there. Sign up to my email list on my website for updates & free resources for your family and subscribe to my podcast videos on YouTube Channel. *This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.*