The Mother’s Blog

Where motherhood meets realness, compassion, and practical tools for your well-being.

FEATURED POSTS

Close-up of a light pink poppy flower with yellow center and dewdrops on petals

The Essential Guide to Postpartum


Emotional Regulation for Moms


The Mental Load for Moms

MOST RECENT POSTS

Anxiety vs. OCD in Motherhood: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Anxiety Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Anxiety Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Anxiety vs. OCD in Motherhood: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

Anxiety and OCD are both common in early motherhood but they can feel confusing and easy to mix up. This blog explores the key differences between anxiety vs. OCD, including how they show up in postpartum moms, what intrusive thoughts really mean, and why the right diagnosis matters. You’ll also learn about lesser-known forms like Relationship OCD and Pure “O” OCD, how trauma and perfectionism play a role, and what treatments like CBT, EMDR, and ERP can offer. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal, or is something wrong with me?”- this post is for you.

Read More
Treating Postpartum Depression Naturally: Gentle, Holistic Support for New Moms
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Treating Postpartum Depression Naturally: Gentle, Holistic Support for New Moms

You love your baby, but lately, you don’t feel like yourself. If you’re tearful, anxious, disconnected, or just getting through the day on autopilot, you’re not alone. Postpartum depression is real, and it’s more common than most people realize. The good news? You don’t have to suffer in silence and you don’t have to go straight to medication if that doesn’t feel right for you. In this post, I’ll explore how to treat postpartum depression naturally using gentle, research-backed tools that support both your emotional well-being and your nervous system.

Read More
5 Common Myths About Postpartum Mental Health (That Are Keeping Moms Stuck)
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

5 Common Myths About Postpartum Mental Health (That Are Keeping Moms Stuck)

Think postpartum mental health struggles are just the baby blues or that they’ll go away on their own? You’re not alone, and you’ve likely been misled. In this validating post, we unpack 5 common myths that keep new moms stuck in shame, silence, and self-blame. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unlike yourself in motherhood, this is for you.

Read More
The Mental Load Overload: Understanding How You Got Here
Mental Load Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Mental Load Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

The Mental Load Overload: Understanding How You Got Here

You didn’t start your relationship this way but somewhere along the line, you became the default parent, the household manager, the knower of all the things. Now you’re drowning in the mental load, and wondering how it got so heavy. This blog unpacks how seemingly “fair” partnerships shift over time, especially in motherhood, and why so many moms feel overwhelmed and unseen. If you’re tired of carrying it all, this post is for you- plus, learn how our new Mental Load Coaching for Couples can help you find balance and real support again.

Read More
The Mental Load Is Breaking Moms: What It Is, Why It Feels So Heavy and What You Can Do About It
Mental Load Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Mental Load Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

The Mental Load Is Breaking Moms: What It Is, Why It Feels So Heavy and What You Can Do About It

Are you exhausted from being the one who “keeps it all together”? You’re not imagining it- the mental load moms carry is very real, and it’s taking a toll on your mental health, relationships, and sense of self. This blog breaks down why the mental load feels so overwhelming, how trauma and perfectionism amplify it, and how therapy can help you find relief, set boundaries, and reconnect with you. If you’re feeling invisible, burned out, or resentful, this one’s for you.

Read More
Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes in Postpartum: What’s Really Going On
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Hormonal Shifts and Mood Changes in Postpartum: What’s Really Going On

Why do I feel so emotional after birth and again after weaning?

This blog breaks down the real, biological reasons behind postpartum mood swings, anxiety, and emotional crashes after stopping breastfeeding. If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal,” this post will help you understand what’s happening in your body and how therapy can support your healing.

Read More
Emotional Regulation for Moms: How to Stay Grounded When Motherhood Feels Overwhelming
Emotional Regulation Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Emotional Regulation Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Emotional Regulation for Moms: How to Stay Grounded When Motherhood Feels Overwhelming

Motherhood brings out emotions you never expected- overwhelming love, exhaustion, joy, and frustration all tangled together. If you’ve found yourself snapping, shutting down, or feeling stuck in guilt after losing your temper, you’re not alone.

Emotional regulation, the ability to notice and respond to your emotions in a way that feels calm and intentional, is a skill every mom can build.

Read More
Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Triggers + Coping Strategies
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms, Triggers + Coping Strategies

Struggling with constant worry and racing thoughts after having a baby? You’re not alone. Postpartum anxiety is a common but often overlooked condition that can make early motherhood feel overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll explore the symptoms of postpartum anxiety, common triggers, and practical coping strategies to help you regain a sense of balance. Read on to learn how to navigate this challenging time with support and self-care.

Read More
How Therapy Can Transform Your Motherhood Journey
Motherhood Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Motherhood Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

How Therapy Can Transform Your Motherhood Journey

Feeling overwhelmed as a new or seasoned mom is more common than you might think. In this article, we explore how therapy for moms can be a transformative journey- helping you overcome motherhood anxiety, reclaim your identity, and find balance amid the chaos. Discover how expert mom therapists use a holistic, brain–body approach to empower you with practical tools for managing stress, so you can embrace the joys of motherhood with renewed strength and clarity.

Read More
EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing Trauma for Moms
Motherhood Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Motherhood Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

EMDR Therapy: A Path to Healing Trauma for Moms

Being a mom is one of life’s most fulfilling roles, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Many moms face immense pressure to balance caregiving, work, relationships, and personal well-being. For some, these challenges are compounded by unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression, or feelings of burnout. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone, and there are tools that can help. One powerful tool is EMDR Therapy. Read on to learn more about EMDR and how it can be particularly helpful for moms.

Read More
All About Postpartum Rage
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

All About Postpartum Rage

Feeling overwhelmed by intense anger after childbirth? You're not alone. Explore the realities of postpartum rage and find expert guidance to navigate this challenging phase.

Read More
5 Sneaky Ways Postpartum Depression Shows Up
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

5 Sneaky Ways Postpartum Depression Shows Up

The postpartum time can certainly be very challenging and it can take some time to adjust. However, some of these challenges can actually be signs of Postpartum Depression. Read on to learn about 5 sneaky signs of Postpartum Depression.

Read More
Healing with Therapy for Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Healing with Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression can look different in each mom- for some it is filled with more anxiety, for others it’s a feeling of overwhelm and hopelessness, and others report a lack of feeling and general sense of disconnection. Postpartum is also very common, with 1 in 5 moms experiencing it. Postpartum depression is treatable and you can feel better. Read on to learn more about Therapy for Postpartum Depression.

Read More
Dark Thoughts in Postpartum
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Dark Thoughts in Postpartum

Having dark, scary thoughts in the postpartum time can feel really bad and alarming, but they are actually quite common. Read more about Intrusive thoughts during postpartum, how to cope with them and when to seek out help.

Read More
What to Know About Birth Trauma
Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum, Trauma Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

What to Know About Birth Trauma

Giving birth is quite the experience to say the least. Unfortunately, about 45% of new moms experience birth trauma. Read on to learn more about Birth Trauma. If this is something you or someone you love has experience, please know that there is help available.

Read More
The Essential Guide to Postpartum: A Postpartum Support Plan
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

The Essential Guide to Postpartum: A Postpartum Support Plan

The postpartum time is certainly a huge transition and quite honestly, all that reading and preparing for baby probably did not address many of the common struggles that come up during this time. As a perinatal therapist for moms in the postpartum time, these are the common pain points of postpartum that I see with my clients, along with strategies to help you through them.

Read More
Postpartum Support | What I Wish I Knew as a New Mom
Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT Postpartum Melissa Morais Parr, LMFT

Postpartum Support | What I Wish I Knew as a New Mom

Becoming a mother is an amazing experience. It changes your life in every possible way. I thought I was more than ready to be a mom and for my postpartum experience, however, I was really thrown for a loop. Read on to learn more about getting Postpartum Support and the things I wish I knew as a new mom.

Read More