Mental health and parenting are two words that are now found often linked together. This is because of the understanding that the answers to our problems lie in infancy. As an infant when the child is introduced to his caregivers for the first time right from then this interaction is taking effect. Therefore, one can no longer ignore the impact parenting has on one’s mental health.

Parenting is a job that no one receives training for and yet we are given the full care of another human being which could impact mental health and parenting. To be able to become responsible for another person it is important that parents also focus on their mental health. Asking questions like;

• What brings me joy about parenting?

• How would I approach parenting?

• What challenges commonly occur in parenting?

And finally getting the help that is required. This help could be received from individual sessions with therapists where they can provide psychoeducation on mental and parenting. A therapist would particularly work with the parents individually and as a couple to help them access their values and goals in becoming parents. This could help parents derive a roadmap to see what parenting looks like for each of them and as a couple. One needs to appreciate that both parents have their own life experiences and learnings.

Also, parenting brings on a dearth of added responsibilities and this means preparing for a role where one was not prepared for. Long nights, worries about their children and unaccepted challenges could all cause parents to experience stress, anxiety, and burnout impacting their mental health and parenting approaches.

However, these challenges although may seem day to day may cause critical mental health issues. Parents may also experience distancing between them as a couple which calls for more intention based activities for the couple. Parents are often advised to take intention based steps to take care of their mental health.

• Going for short trips to rekindle their togetherness and connect. But this could also help them get away from their everyday life and offer an escape from their daily chores. Couples have often experienced rekindling of romance and togetherness.

• Having a daily practice of mindfulness could help in relieving stress caused by mental health and parenting. A five minute meditation or incorporating mindfulness in daily activities also helps.

• Staying with one’s emotions is often an overlooked aspect in life, however, by practising staying with one’s emotions one can get some awareness of their underlying needs which could help in their communication with their partner.

• Also remember to appreciate and acknowledge what you like in your partner as this can create togetherness within the couple.

Finally it is important to understand that happiness within the couple greatly impacts their mental health and parenting. One cannot undermine the impact mental health has on one’s parenting and the impact that it has on children. Let us focus on how parents can consciously create an environment where little ones can thrive and build long lasting resilience within them.