As a marriage and family therapist who has personally navigated the tumultuous waters of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), I've experienced firsthand the profound impact this condition can have on one's life and relationships. PMDD is more than just a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS); it is a complex, chronic condition that requires understanding, compassion, and comprehensive care. In this blog post, I aim to shed light on PMDD, dispelling myths and offering both insight and hope to those affected.

“Yet, when we take care of ourselves we are far more capable of loving ourselves, we have a greater capacity to manage daily stressors, and we are able to be more intentional in our relationships. Self-care is important...but how do we start to incorporate it into our lives?”

As parents most of us put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be the best parents we can possibly be. And some of the time we completely miss the mark. Yes, we are all “that parent”.

Throughout my life, I have observed in myself and others, that when the road gets rough, choosing to lean into trustworthy and meaningful relationships can be incredibly powerful. Hearing, "Yea, I've been there, too" or "I had no idea you were carrying so much. Thank you for telling me", can bring some light back into a dark and hopeless place. We simply cannot do it alone.

I knew that I'd made the right decision in getting us out of our home and in a new environment. I needed a change of scenery to help me regulate my own stress and internal, shame-filled, dialogue. I needed a cup of coffee to take a deep breath. I needed a space that allowed me to get centered again so that I could connect and parent in a meaningful and intentional way.

Let’s be real: motherhood is amazing and it can be tough. One moment you’re being smothered by kiddo kisses, the next you’re scraping poop off of numerous surfaces. They love you. They hate you. The scream, “go away” and “come back” in the same breath. And this doesn’t even begin to tap into the guilt we feel when we’re trying to get some extra work done as they ask us: “Hey Mom, can you help me with my homework?”.

During summer 2018, reports of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain’s deaths crashed like waves of confusion and agony across the world; social media exploded and conversations about mental illness became front and center. In response, loving and well-intentioned friends and family members shared important posts about being a safe place and encouraging those in their lives who are oppressed by depression and mental illness to reach out. As the days have continued to drift by, however, fewer posts popped up on social media feeds, reporting on NPR returned to normal, and I thought, “We need to keep this conversation going.”