Odette Roberts Clinical Psychologist

04/08/2023

Some encouragement to all the wonderful moms out there as you enter into the weekend…someday you’ll feel like you again 🤍

“Someday I’ll be all me again.

Someday I’ll start to read grown up books that interest and challenge me instead of books about finding little monsters and counting apples.

Someday I’ll dye my hair regularly and take care of my nails.

Someday I’ll choose my clothing as more of a fashion statement instead of knotting my shirt over a stain and wearing a skirt because all my pants are at the bottom of the hamper.

Someday I’ll quit using so much dry shampoo because I’ll have time to shower every night.

Someday I’ll spend hours in my craft room filling my soul while creating new things.

Someday the size in my pants may be a smaller number.

Someday I’ll drive a car that I like instead of a van that’s practical.

But right now isn’t that someday, because today my littles pull me in every direction,

“Mummy change my diaper”
“Mummy I need a snack”
“Mummy my legs hurt!”
“Mummy he hit me!”

I give bits of myself to them all day. I give them what they need.

I still know who I am, and I still feel whole. I’m just a little bit more mummy than I am anything else right now.

As time passes and my littles gradually turn into bigs they’ll inevitably start to give me back the little bits of myself that I’ve given to them. And as parenthood goes accepting them back will be more painful than giving them ever was.

Someday I’ll be all me again, but right now I’m ok with being mostly mummy”

✍️: Nicole Miller Nicole Miller Creates
🖼️: Emma Flynn This Mama Doodles

11/07/2023

Attention all moms

We are in the beginning stages of working on an exciting new project for moms.

If you have a few minutes to spare to answer 3 quick questions to help us, please click on the link below.

Thank you and looking forward to sharing more with you as this project develops 🌼

28/06/2023

Such a great article highlighting the prevalence and first-hand experience of Postpartum Depression.

If you or anyone you know of is struggling, please reach out to a professional for help. The first step may be the hardest but you are not alone in this journey. Your mental health as a mom is so so important 🤍

Postpartum depression, which affects one in eight new moms in the U.S., is now recognized as one of the most common complications of childbirth. The New York Times spent time with four mothers who offered a stark, intimate glimpse into their experiences. https://nyti.ms/431uXav

19/06/2023

An interesting read by a well respected professional in the field of maternal mental health.

Many of these points will be discussed during our workshop happening in just 2 weeks!

Please contact us if you would like to book your spot or if you have any questions.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mother.ly%2Flife%2F7-reasons-why-moms-dont-share-their-scary-thoughts%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3BsxxLqFt8sY401wtk_C-hpQFlmwoLnuAOZEfXHIBw-5ZVsLUkWMHVsi4_aem_th_AScCcfbTa_lhbL5coVED2fI3laY20IlI1TP3XUiFbws3D7PCSa60qvcyCwU2a9wPrKo&h=AT2yqToFn08TqVyhHK302sXI-FbC9FmzIs6KQZeoHrz8bYcaNxj2tOIprTo7yxWUlEhV3qgr_oCzvDIPX1tavr9eoFjJtqWN5onM2oL-7bCg-4g56OYPk4MqBiNU&s=1

Newly postpartum women are suffering in silence, but they don't have to be. Category : Life

15/06/2023

As much as we are passionate about advocating for maternal mental health, paternal mental health is just as relevant and important to talk about!

Shoutout to all the dads who are holding so much and still doing a stellar job.

We need MEN for strong MENtal health; MEN to challenge the stereotypes of the past and fathers that can help raise a generation who is mentally strong

11/06/2023

05/06/2023

Leading up to our workshop on Postpartum Depression, I will be sharing some articles and information about this condition which is far more common than we realise yet not spoken about nearly enough.

The only way to start breaking the stigma is to create awareness and start the sometimes difficult yet necessary conversations.

The linked article addresses barriers to seeking help that many mothers experinece as well as the importance and benefits of speaking up and reaching out.

Lets play our part in helping moms feel supported and not judged when they have the courage to reach out 🌿

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postpartumstress.com%2Fpost%2Fwhy-postpartum-moms-need-to-talk-about-how-they-are-feeling%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1U3b8OnXlNPtRkuZ7hOK8pxo4RLFhi5TWB5kc6tyYQkeCYTZpTX88qv7s&h=AT0rmb41od87aLiEdZsb79YXb3VZsud9kMwbVDiA_RuzlYRgzZf9tXq2uVjstrWaW8aSXzczPqD5cTLbMMcvJ9c9VILShFFQEjK1gVAXc3Dz0qf_6LwOOKTVbMYM&s=1

Originally posted Feb 2020 New moms shouldn’t have to explain, justify, defend or substantiate the reasons they do things or the way they are feeling. But we live in a culture that demands that they do so, usually indirectly, but sometimes, blatantly. Do this. Don’t do that. Feed this way, not t...

04/05/2023

Maternal mental health is such an important topic! Thank you Linda Sterkenburg Clinical Psychologist - watch this space for more information about a workshop that we will presenting soon!

With Mother's day around the corner I'd like to share something very close to my heart - some thoughts on motherhood!

This week I saw a social media post celebrating how AMAZING, LOVING, STRONG, HAPPY, SELFLESS & GRACEFULL mothers are. As we take the time to celebrate & honor mothers, I also feel it is important to acknowledge and normalize the other side of the spectrum. Motherhood can also be:
Not feeling and looking amazing as you sometimes barely make it through the day.
Sometimes feeling guilty for not acting lovingly when you lost your cool and your difficult emotions got the better of you.
Days of you doubting if you are really able to this thing called motherhood and feeling overloaded.
Sometimes feeling sad, angry, frustrated, alone, anxious...
Wanting and needing to be a bit selfish with your time and energy and therefore making boundaries and self care as a priority.

Mothers, I know it is not always easy but there is no such thing as a perfect mother - we can just strive to be good enough. May this mother's day be a celebration and acknowledgement of the duality of it all.

A maternal mental health workshop also on the way in collaboration with Odette Roberts Clinical Psychologist so if you are overwhelmed with this journey of motherhood, watch this space.

Photo credit: Thanks Suline Slabbert Photography for this trip down memory lane:-)

08/03/2023

What a privilege to be able to talk to soon-to-be moms and dads about the importance of maternal mental health. Thanx Linda Sterkenburg Clinical Psychologist and Life Springs Parkland Hospital. Looking forward to our maternal mental health workshop coming up in May!

28/02/2023

After a successful talk last Saturday, I will be doing the Understanding Depression in Teenagers talk again on Saturday 11 March 2023.

Please feel free to share with anyone you think may be interested and please do contact me if you have any questions