PARENTING/ PREGNANCY AFFIRMATIONS AND REMINDERS

Parenting isn’t easy. And parenting during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart. Here are a few reminders and affirmations for all of the parents out there as you navigate each day with your little ones: 

  • I am doing my best and that is enough for now. 

  • I have value as a person (and as a parent). 

  • I can give myself grace and kindness. 

  • It’s okay to struggle right now. I can give myself patience and understanding. 

  • I can do difficult things. I HAVE done difficult things. 

  • I take care of my feelings by noticing them. 

  • I don’t need to be perfect to be worthy of love.

  • Parenting is a learning process.

  • Today cannot last forever. I can get through this day.

  • I am not the only one feeling this way. I am not alone.   

  • I will focus on the things that I can control.

  • I am brave just by facing the day.   I am exactly the parent my baby needs.

  • I will let go of how I think today should go. I will face whatever comes my way.

  • My needs are important. By caring for myself I am caring for my family.

  • I am enough. 

These affirmations can be incredibly helpful, but there are difficult days that can surpass even the most powerful of reminders. You are not alone in this! The journey of pregnancy and parenthood is overwhelming. At times it can be isolating, and even more so right now with the pandemic. But we repeat: you are not alone. 
 
One of our very own doulas, Lisa Anderson (who also happens to be a perinatal therapist), helps run the Ann Arbor-located parenting support group MomShare. Currently, meetings are being held virtually and provide an inclusive space to share resources, emotions, experiences, concerns, joys, and difficulties of parenting. The group name does have “Mom” in it and the website refers to “moms and infants”, but the group welcomes parents of all genders as they navigate their journeys through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.