I don’t think this is a huge secret, but it’s incredible how bad America is as far as postpartum support across the board. Whether professionally, healthcare, or yes, church, Americans seem to think that moms should be able to bounce back instantly and with no trouble.
Many parishes in my diocese have an Elizabeth Ministry, which reaches out to new mothers in the parish. There were challenges after my child’s birth and the women came to help clean, cook, and lovingly listen. (elizabethministry.org)
Also, there have been times when a priest has given a homily, or a social media influencer has had a video, in which they complained about parishioners having glum faces. Perhaps it would be helpful for them to remember, as they give us that correction, that it is likely that someone in the congregation (or viewers online) is dealing with mental health struggles that make it very difficult to put on a happy face, like a young mother with postpartum depression, Yes, correct us for being glum, but maybe one on one and not as a generic group? Or add a caveat to what you say?
I don’t think this is a huge secret, but it’s incredible how bad America is as far as postpartum support across the board. Whether professionally, healthcare, or yes, church, Americans seem to think that moms should be able to bounce back instantly and with no trouble.
Thank you for this story!
Many parishes in my diocese have an Elizabeth Ministry, which reaches out to new mothers in the parish. There were challenges after my child’s birth and the women came to help clean, cook, and lovingly listen. (elizabethministry.org)
Also, there have been times when a priest has given a homily, or a social media influencer has had a video, in which they complained about parishioners having glum faces. Perhaps it would be helpful for them to remember, as they give us that correction, that it is likely that someone in the congregation (or viewers online) is dealing with mental health struggles that make it very difficult to put on a happy face, like a young mother with postpartum depression, Yes, correct us for being glum, but maybe one on one and not as a generic group? Or add a caveat to what you say?