by Kelly Martin, M.Ed, LPC
Owner, The Playroom Lubbock
Guest Contributor

In the wake of Mother’s Day, we need to talk about something.  Let’s get raw and real.  You, mama, may be feeling the intense and overwhelming feelings of motherhood coupled with exhaustion and fears.  Life after the birth of your baby, and even life several months or even years after birth, is not quite like you expected or hoped it would be.  For most moms, sad or anxious feelings come and go.  Even the most upbeat mom can experience low days.  So how can we know if our sadness or anxiety or fears are something more serious?  What should you do if you’re depressed or anxious?

You are not alone.

Hope and healing awaits.

Please consider these 3 things if you have the feeling that something just isn’t right.

1. Read this article. It includes a quiz to differentiate between a case of the blues or depression. It will also provide guidance on lifestyle changes and what you can do to pull you out of a funk.

2. Consider connecting in a care group with other women with similar experiences here.

3. Email postpartumlubbock@gmail.com to inquire where to start. Another Lubbock area momma on the receiving end of that email will respond to you, will hear you, and can help guide you to resources if needed.

It’s a family affair.  

While many mothers suffer in silence with depression or anxiety after the birth of a baby, what is also not mentioned is that dads can also experience postpartum depression (PPD). In a significant number of households affected by PPD, both adults are suffering together.

Children of depressed parents have a heightened risk of emotional, intellectual, or behavioral problems. Developmentally their brains are very malleable as they learn motor skills and language. Their brains are growing neural connections, strengthening used connections, and shrinking neglected connections. The anxiety, frustration, and emotional strain caused by depression make a child’s brain more vulnerable. These conditions can impact a child even years down the road.

And yet, still hope.

Fortunately our brains are adaptable and moldable, meaning neural connections in the brain can be rewired through new experiences, new relationship connections, and healthy interactions with parents.

Taking a step…

If you recognize in yourself or in someone else the depression, anxiety, disturbing and intruding thoughts, or compulsive and irrational habits forming, please read the above article, connect with others who will understand, and email postpartumlubbock@gmail.com.

Kelly Martin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, parent, and owner of The Playroom Lubbock offering therapy counseling services specifically for children and adolescents. From individual and group Play Therapy to yoga and parent-included classes, Kelly and her team offer a wealth of support for local kiddos and parents.  Specialties include divorce care, self esteem, social skills, anxiety, grief, anger management, ADHD support… topics that hit home with many area kids and families.  Have questions or ideas for future blog topics?  Just comment below or you can contact Kelly directly at kelly@playroomlubbock.com and through her website at Playroomlubbock.com.

By Kelly Martin, M.Ed, LPC
Guest Contributor

Checkout the latest post from our contributor, Kelly Martin… owner of The Playroom Lubbock. She shares great insight into how we can extend the season of giving by creating a positive impact on our community and, perhaps more importantly, within our children and family year-round.  Perfect timing with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service coming up January 18, 2016. See Kelly’s link below for her Local and Global Outreach idea list… perfect for Lubbock area families… or contact the Volunteer Center Of Lubbock for more ideas.
Happy New Year!

Cultivate Empathy in Your Children Through Service to the Community

“Throw kindness around like confetti.”

As we ring in and celebrate the New Year, let us think of ways to throw kindness around like confetti all year long. We want to teach our kids to think beyond themselves and their own needs. “It’s not enough to count our blessings and be thankful. Thankfulness should move us to action.” (Marla Kiley).

This action for service to others, fueled by thankfulness and encouraged by parents, will cultivate empathy in your children. When children have empathy, they model appreciation for many types of people, value others’ perspectives, build better relationships, and become better collaborators.

We want this to serve as a guide and a jumpstart for you to engage your families in acts of service in our community. When we express caring for others as a priority and follow through with service, our children will begin to believe our value and commitment.

What you want to instill:

You can serve right where you are.

You can serve the world from home.

Serve with your gifts (strengths/talents).

Serve to serve, not serve for praise.

Tips to Serving with Your Kids:

1. Prepare Your Kids.

 Who we are serving?

 What will we be doing?

 Why does that help someone?

 What can we expect?

2. Practice What to Say/Do.

3. Make it Doable.

 Short, simple, fun

 If you try to plan too often, or too much, you’ll feel overwhelmed before you even start.

4. Reflect after the experience.

 Is it what you expected?

 How did it help?

 How did you feel?

 How did the other person possibly feel?

 What could we do different/same next time?

5. Recognize your child’s effort.

 Specifically reflect back to your child what you saw him/her do.

 This encourages self-awareness and self-confidence.

If you are interested in organizations around our Lubbock community in which to serve with your family, please visit The Playroom Lubbock website where you’ll find our list of Lubbock Service Projects for your Family.

Kiley, Marla. “What is Service,” Discovery Years, December 2006.

Kelly Martin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, parent, and owner of The Playroom Lubbock offering therapy counseling services specifically for children and adolescents.  From individual and group Play Therapy to yoga and parent-included classes, Kelly and her team offer a wealth of support for local kiddos and parents.  Specialties include divorce care, self esteem, social skills, anxiety, grief, anger management, ADHD support… topics that hit home with many area kids and families.  Have questions or ideas for future blog topics?  Just comment below or you can contact Kelly directly at kelly@playroomlubbock.com and through her website at Playroomlubbock.com.