Mindfulness for New Parents: Simple Techniques for Stressful Moments
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Mindfulness for New Parents: Simple Techniques for Stressful Moments

The journey of new parenthood brings indescribable joy, but it also introduces unprecedented challenges. Amidst night feedings, crying spells, and the constant adjustment to new responsibilities, parents often find themselves overwhelmed. Mindfulness—the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment without judgment—offers powerful tools for navigating these stressful times.

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Creating a Postpartum Support Plan: What Every Expecting Family Should Consider
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Creating a Postpartum Support Plan: What Every Expecting Family Should Consider

While pregnancy often commands significant attention and preparation, the postpartum period—those critical weeks and months after birth—can catch many families unprepared. Creating a comprehensive postpartum support plan before baby arrives can make the difference between merely surviving and genuinely thriving during this transformative time.

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The Invisible Load: Managing Mental Labor in Parenthood
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

The Invisible Load: Managing Mental Labor in Parenthood

Parenthood comes with countless joys, but also with an often-overlooked burden: mental labor. This invisible workload—the constant planning, organizing, remembering, and anticipating family needs—can significantly impact a parent's mental health and well-being.

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Returning to Work After Baby: Emotional Preparation and Practical Tips
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Returning to Work After Baby: Emotional Preparation and Practical Tips

The transition back to work after welcoming a new baby is one of the most challenging phases of early parenthood. As both a clinical social worker and someone who has supported countless new mothers through this journey, I've witnessed how this period stirs up a complex mix of emotions—from guilt and anxiety to relief and anticipation.

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Finding Your Parenting Voice: Building Confidence in Your Choices
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Finding Your Parenting Voice: Building Confidence in Your Choices

Becoming a parent launches you into a world filled with contradictory advice, strong opinions, and seemingly endless decisions. The pressure to make the "right" choice can be overwhelming, from feeding methods to sleep approaches, screen time to discipline strategies. Yet amid this noise, developing confidence in your own parenting voice is one of the most valuable skills you can cultivate.

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Self-Care for New Parents: Small Practices with Big Impact
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Self-Care for New Parents: Small Practices with Big Impact

In the whirlwind of newborn care, parents often find themselves at the bottom of their own priority lists. Between feeding schedules, sleep deprivation, and the emotional adjustment to parenthood, self-care can seem like an impossible luxury. Yet maintaining your well-being isn't just beneficial—it's essential for sustainable parenting and your family's health.

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When Birth Doesn't Go as Planned: Processing Birth Trauma and Disappointment
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

When Birth Doesn't Go as Planned: Processing Birth Trauma and Disappointment

For many expectant parents, the birth of their child is envisioned as a profound, empowering experience. But when labor and delivery take unexpected turns—whether through emergency interventions, complications, or simply diverging dramatically from a hoped-for birth plan—the emotional aftermath can be complex and challenging to navigate.

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Partners in the Perinatal Journey: Supporting Your Spouse Through Pregnancy and Beyond
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Partners in the Perinatal Journey: Supporting Your Spouse Through Pregnancy and Beyond

Watching your partner grow a new life can be awe-inspiring—their body transforming, your future expanding, and your relationship evolving in preparation for this profound change. While much attention centers on the pregnant person's experience, partners play a crucial role in creating a foundation of support that strengthens the entire family. Your engagement during this journey isn't just helpful—it's transformative for your relationship, your partner's wellbeing, and your own transition to parenthood.

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Why Sleep Matters: A Postpartum Mom's Guide to Better Rest
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Why Sleep Matters: A Postpartum Mom's Guide to Better Rest

The gentle rhythm of your newborn's breathing fills the room as you finally lay them down. Your body aches for rest, yet your mind races with a never-ending to-do list. Sound familiar? For new mothers, quality sleep often feels like an impossible luxury rather than the biological necessity it truly is.

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The Art of Grandmothering: How to Provide Meaningful Support to New Parents
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

The Art of Grandmothering: How to Provide Meaningful Support to New Parents

You've waited for this moment—watching your child become a parent themselves. As a grandmother, you now have the beautiful opportunity to offer wisdom, care, and support during one of life's most transformative journeys. But in today's parenting landscape, being a supportive grandmother means balancing your wealth of experience with respect for new parenting approaches.

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Pregnancy Loss and the Effects on Women’s Mental Health
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Pregnancy Loss and the Effects on Women’s Mental Health

The emotional effects of pregnancy loss can vary widely from woman to woman. Some women may experience intense grief, sadness, and anger. Others may feel numb, detached, or even guilty. It is also common to experience physical symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, and changes in appetite.

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Who is in your inner circle?
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Who is in your inner circle?

The people in our inner circle profoundly impact our mental health. They can help us heal or hinder our ability to do so.

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Choosing a Midwife or OB/GYN: What You Need to Know
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

Choosing a Midwife or OB/GYN: What You Need to Know

When you are pregnant, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will provide your care. You will need to choose between a midwife and an OB/GYN. Both types of providers are qualified to provide care for pregnant women, but there are some key differences between their practices.

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How to Cope with Anxiety and Stress
Jaclyn Satchel Jaclyn Satchel

How to Cope with Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety and stress are common experiences that can affect people of all ages. They can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work, relationships, finances, and health.

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