Alison E. - Connection & Compassion

Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health

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This week, Alison, a pediatrician and author, discusses the challenges of modern parenting and the importance of connection and compassion. She discusses the concept of the 'should storm,' which refers to the overwhelming pressure and expectations that parents face. She introduces her book, Sigh, See, Start, which encourages parents to pause, observe, and take action in a mindful and compassionate way. While I typically don’t endorse any specific programs or methods other than consulting your PCP and finding a good therapist, Alison’s expertise and experiences certainly resonated with me, as I hope it will with you.
You can find Alison's book HERE.
To learn more about Alison, visit her website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Channel.
Takeaways

• There is an epidemic of anxiety in parents and kids that needs to be addressed.
• Cultural factors play a significant role in the rise of parental anxiety.
• Parents face immense pressure and a constant 'should storm' driven by societal expectations.
• The lack of support for families, especially in terms of family leave policies, contributes to parental anxiety.
• It is important to process and validate the trauma and challenges experienced during pregnancy and delivery.
• The shift from old school parenting to intensive parenting has created additional anxiety for parents.
• Social media has exacerbated the pressure and anxiety felt by parents.
• The breakdown of community and support networks has further isolated parents.
• Re-parenting ourselves and challenging old beliefs and expectations is necessary to break free from the should storm.
• A three-step method can help parents step out of the should storm and focus on what their child truly needs: connection and their own intuition. Modern parenting is often characterized by overwhelming pressure and expectations, leading to the 'should storm' phenomenon.
• Parents need to re-parent themselves and find a balance between warmth and authority in their parenting approach.
• The Sigh See Start (Psi C Start) method encourages parents to pause, observe their child's behavior, and take action in a mindful and compassionate way.
• Rupture and repair cycles are important for building a strong parent-child relationship, allowing children to practice managing stress and learning from mistakes.
• Self-compassion is crucial for parents to provide compassion and connection to their children.

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