So sometimes days turn into weeks, then the weeks turn into months - and before you know it you've inadvertently taken an almost two month break from your podcast!

That's where we're at folks! But before we jump back into the next round of podcast topics and interviews I thought you all deserved an explanation about where I've been over the past seven weeks. In short, I've been recalibrating to my new life as a full time working mum. It's been a process, that's for sure! So let's dive right in.

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an experience like no other. Being a new parent brings a whole gamut of emotions, responsibilities and questions. Many of which we're completely unprepared for.

But what happens when those emotions, responsibilities and questions become too much? When "unprepared" becomes "unable to cope"?

When does new parent overwhelm become postnatal depression?

Current statistics tell us that postnatal depression (PND) now affects one in 7 new mothers and one in 20 new fathers. But despite the increased incidence of PND in our society, there still seems to be misunderstanding about what PND actually is and how it is treated.

This episode of the Meaningful Motherhood podcast covers the difference between the "baby blues", a general sensation of parental overwhelm, and a clinical diagnosis of postnatal depression.

Could you have Postnatal Depression?

For the past two weeks or more have you felt the following on a regular or frequent (daily) basis?

•Difficulty being able to laugh and see the funny side of things

•Decreased ability to look forward to enjoyable activities.

•Blaming yourself unnecessarily when things have gone wrong

•Feeling anxious or worried for without good reason

•Feeling like things are frequently "getting on top of you"

•Difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively

•Frequently feeling sad or miserable quite often

•Frequent bouts of crying

•Having thoughts of harming myself of others **

If you, or someone you know has been exhibiting several of these symptoms frequently over a two week period or more, please advice from your doctor, midwife or community health agency.  ** If you answered yes to the final point, please seek immediate support.

For anyone concerned that they, or someone they know, might be experiencing PND, the best course of action is to seek support from a health professional. Speaking to your maternal health nurse, midwife, obstetrician, or GP is generally the first step. But you can also feel confident seeking out a counsellor, mental health OT, or psychologist, which in many cases doesn't require a referral.

For further resources about PND, please visit the following websites:

https://www.panda.org.au/

Is it better to be a "perfect parent" or a "good enough parent"?  

What does being a  "good enough parent" even mean?

When we lie to our children about the mistakes we make - who are we really protecting? Them, or us?

And how does this all link to the latest cricketing scandal?

Check out this podcast for the answers!

iPad, TV, laptop, PC, games console, smartphone.....

How much screen time does your child get? Do you think that's too much? Have you observed behaviour problems in your children directly related to screen usage?

The topic of screen time is always a hotly debated one, and its been a big topic of conversation on the Bloom Wellbeing Facebook page recently, so I thought this week I'd talk at length about my thoughts on screen time, what screen time rules we have in place in our household (and why) and how you as a parent can make positive changes to screen usage in your home, in a way that suits your family.

Links:

Meaningful Motherhood Tribe private facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/100261716985427/

Cosmic Kids Yoga

http://www.cosmickids.com/

"How can I help my child manage their big emotions, when I can't even manage my own emotions?"

Today's podcast is all about the topic of self-regulation and how this leads to co-regulation - or a parent's ability to help support their baby or child manage their emotions, feelings and behaviours. We also talk about the impact on a child when a parent struggles with their own self-regulation, and what we can do to seek support in these instances.

In this week's episode I chat to the super-lovely Lisa Corduff, someone I'm fortunate enough to have known as both a friend and mentor.

Lisa inspires modern women to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, simpler life via her online programs, membership and podcast.  She has a perfectly imperfect life and is helping women all around the world to ditch the impossible standards, be kind to themselves and live life on their terms.

Find her online at

www.SmallSteps.Living.com

www.facebook.com/lisacorduff

www.instagram.com/lisacorduff

Do you sometimes feel the weight of the world on your shoulders? Despair at the state of the world we're sending our children out into?

Yep, me too.  And sometimes it all just gets too much. Last week was like that for me. Everything felt sucky and hard. I have to admit I have these moments more often now that I'm a mother, and I don't think I'm alone in that. 

So in today's episode I'm talking about how I move through this sucky feeling. 

Don't forget - if you're feeling this way a lot lately, and struggling to find your way out of it on your own, make sure you chat to your GP, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Becoming a mother can be challenging at the best of times, but for Kate Comer, her early years of motherhood have seen her experience the death of her own beloved mother, a massive life threatening stroke, as well as being a FIFO wife and supporting a child with autism. Today she tells her story to the Meaningful Motherhood podcast, about how she moved through her fears of "mothering without a mother", and how travel - both with her family and flying solo, has been a huge healing factor in her life.

You can find out more about Kate at the following links:

https://www.rollingalongwithkids.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rollingalongwithkids/

https://www.instagram.com/rollingalongwithkids/

We've just finished our six week summer holidays here in South Australia, and my family were lucky enough to spend the whole holidays together, as my husband had five weeks long service leave. This was our last summer before our youngest daughter started school, so it was a beautiful opportunity for our family to spend quality time together, and mark the end of our pre-school parenting years.

In today's episode I outline the five lessons I learned (some of them re-learned!) through my parenting this summer holidays.

What makes a dedicated "career Mum" decide to pull the pin on a successful business and restructure her whole life?

For Carly Thompson Barry it was nothing short of a motherhood "breakdown/breakthrough". In this week's episode Carly and I chat about the pressures of being a mother while running a business, how what we think we want out of life isn't always correct, and how we both pulled ourselves up out of the mire after life dealt us soul-crushing blows.

For more information on Carly you can find her here:

Website:

www.shenurtures.com.au

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/carlythompsonbarryofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/shenurtures